Let There Be Peace In You

November 10, 2020

"Peace Be With You"

We often heard this phrase during Sunday at any church service to greet one another. We do the sign of peace when we get to "Let us show each other the sign of peace." The sentiment is there, however, can a simple body language encompass the real meaning of the word Peace from the phrase "Peace Be With You?"

Nowadays, people use the word peace in daily conversations that delivers different meanings than the casual peace we speak of. We apply that word peace when we are annoyed, leave me in peace. At several beauty pageants, some asked questions have common answers like I want to have world peace. And some use the phrase peace be with you or just the word Peace with the literal peace hand sign (V shape) when asking for forgiveness or apology to someone they have committed mistakes or even at throwing jokes to somebody.

But what is the real meaning of Peace?

The Cambridge Dictionary defines the word Peace as:

Freedom from war and violence.
"The United Nations has exerted its authority to restore peace in the area."

When people live and work together happily without disagreements.
"For everyone's peace of mind go back and check that you locked the door."

The state of calmness or not being interrupted or annoyed by worry, problems, noise, or unwanted actions.
"The peace of the village has been shattered by juggernauts thundering through it."
"The soothing sensation of the music gives peace to my mind."

"Let there be peace on Earth"

In a social sense, Peace is typically used to mean a lack of discord such as war and liberty from fear and chaos between individuals or groups. It is a concept of unity and harmony in the dearth of hostility and violence. Some have asserted the sentiment that peace can be initiated with a particular disposition of inner calmness that does not rely on the uncertainties of daily life for its certainty.

In religious belief, it often aims to deal with the common problems of human life, encompassing the conflicts between, among, and within individuals and societies.

But what we are truly expressing when using the phrase "Peace be with you?"

According to the Bible, after Jesus' death and resurrection, He used this phrase three times when He meets His disciples. Jesus suddenly showed up to His disciples with the holes in His hands and feet.

Then He said,

"Peace be with you," then He added, "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." (John 20:19-29). 

Has Jesus really sent you?

Jesus has won against Satan and the power of sin. So once we walk by faith with Him, Satan has no power to control our thoughts and emotions. Christians use the word Lord to refer to Jesus. However, we need to understand who He considers as Christians.

"The one who does the will of His Father will enter heaven."  (Matthew 7:21)

Are we truly doing the will of the Father?

"We are to receive the Holy Spirit and we are to forgive one another" (John 20:22,23).

As Christian, we compel the grant of the Holy Spirit to be able to truly forgive. And once we truly forgive one another, then we can say, "Peace be with you."

Thomas, one of the disciples of Jesus doubted that He appeared to other disciples. Jesus appeared again and said, "Peace be with you." This time Thomas saw Jesus and he was convinced (John 20:24-28).

 "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed" (John 20:29).

Thomas saw Jesus and he believed.

The disciples have seen Jesus and so they believe. But some of us still believe in Jesus even though we haven't seen Him. If we believe in Jesus even if we have not seen Him, then we can also say, "Peace be with you."

I admit there comes a point in my life that I feel like I wasn't on the right path and God isn't with me. Life has always a way of making us feel like our exerted efforts are just wasted. Sometimes, I feel frustrated when I put so much effort into certain things but not going well as I planned. I need some peace of mind, to see a clearer vision of my life, and what truly the essence of my existence in this world.

Let go and let God!

Before I do not understand the meaning of this phrase. I always try to curb every aspect of my life. But then I realized that "we can only achieve the true peace in our life if we learn how to let go of our burdens, worries, and negative thoughts, and let God handle our difficulties." In fact, we have nothing to offer to God since He doesn't need any tangible things from us. But the only thing we can offer to Him is our worries, our problems, our burdens, our negative thoughts, and that is through prayers. Give ourselves and worries to God, and enjoy the prosperous life He has planned for us.

As the saying goes, "turn your worries into worship and watch God turn your battles into blessings."

May the Peace of the Lord be with you …and with your spirit.

When we think of this phrase, we are thinking of the calm feeling we get when we know that the Lord is always with us, watching over us, and always guiding us even if we can not see Him. There is a peace knowing that everything we do in our lives, there will always be a reason. All challenges and obstacles that come our way are created to make us the person that the Lord wants us to be. And everything is possible with His help. When we ask for peace, we should be thinking about the tranquillity of our soul. We know we are safe and secure because we are with the Lord, at peace with our spirit.

I have read @Jeaneth article yesterday about her story behind her scars and I was moved by it. I know everything happens because of negative thoughts in her mind, because of self disappointments and worries that accumulated for so long. If she only learns how to Let Go and Let God, maybe that point in her life won't happen. However, everything has a purpose. Maybe God let that happen to give her a lesson and to let her stand on her own feet to withstand that pain and to overcome that challenge God gave her. But I can tell that she is doing good now. I really hope that She will continue to think positively and become a stronger person.

At some point, we all encounter circumstances that are unsettling and take us out of our comfort zones. Whether we are dealing with a big life decision, a stressful task at work, a negative diagnosis from your recent health consultation, or a failure in the board examination, a peaceful mindset can help us find the courage and relief we need to deal with any uncertainty and turmoil.

Always remember that God is always with us, watching over us, and guiding us to lead the right path He planned for us.

In case I have hurt someone's feeling here, (I know there is) "Peace be with you." ✌😊

Written by: @Jane

Lead image from slideteam.net