By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

Peace in the Midst of Stress

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“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:27 English Standard Version

This is a photo of a dock in Newport, Oregon, packed with huge sea lions.  They are packed together, sometimes on top of each other and some of the huge beasts are barking at one another in loud voices.  But in the middle of this stressed chaos, many of the sea lions are blissfully asleep.

What is their secret?  How do they maintain such repose, such peace in the midst of such stress and noise?  That is one of the questions that the disciples had for Jesus when He began to speak to them about His suffering and crucifixion and death and Him leaving them just when they needed Him most.  It is the question that you and I have in the midst of a broken, sinful, chaotic world, full of selfishness and worries and fears.  What is your secret, Jesus?  How do you have such peace in the midst of so much war and conflict and uncertainty?

Jesus gives this answer.  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.”  The peace of Jesus is not a temporary band aid, a desperate attempt to make the pain go away for a moment, only to return in greater worry and fear.  Jesus’ peace comes in the permanent bestowal of His salvation and forgiveness, His permanent giving of His Holy Spirit.

In the midst of the attacks and chaos of the devil, the world, and our sinful natures, Jesus gives true peace.  In Jesus Christ there is no fear.  For nothing, not tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword will be able to separate us from the love of Jesus Christ our Lord.  In Him we can rest and have peace, even in the midst of stress and craziness.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado