“Oh God, why is your peace so hard to find, and the answers to the questions that are on my mind?” – Steve Camp, from his song “Living in Laodicea”

By Shawn A. Akers

As a Christ follower, the pursuit of inner peace can sometimes seem like an arduous and elusive task.  During our most challenging trials and tribulations, why is the peace of God so hard to find?

The problem may be in how we define the word.

Many believers may think of peace as simply feelings of calmness and tranquility—a somewhat temporary emotion. But what peace with God really means, according to Romans 5:1, is that we have been reconciled with Him. When we come to salvation, there is no more hostility between us and the Almighty, no sin hampering the relationship.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and so we rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (MEV).

When speaking to his disciples, Jesus himself said in John 16:33, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world” (MEV).

Jesus made peace with God possible when He paid the price for our sins through His death on the cross. If we remember that the ultimate victory already has been achieved, we can, as Christ followers, claim the peace of Christ in the most troublesome times.