Text:             John 14:27

By:                Godwin Eyiangho

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INTRODUCTION

It is natural when man is in trouble or faces the challenges of life, his heart beats abnormally indicating the absence of peace in the inner man which is manifested outwardly.

Often times, when there are problems man fears, doubts and his heart is troubled leading to the deterioration of peace of mind.

Christ demonstrated this nature in man when His heart was sorrowful as He visualized the pains and sufferings He would pass through from His arrest, trial and final crucifixion on the cross of Calvary (Matthew 26:37–38).

Meaning no man under the sun who had passed and will pass through trials without having an unpeaceful mind  or troubled heart.

In addition, sometimes when riches increase, many do not have peace of mind which is a paradox.

Nevertheless, Christians must strive to have peace in the inner man in all situations of life.

DEFINITION

The only word will be defined is turbulent because we are all familiar with peace since the series started.

Turbulent means moving in an irregular violent way, full of confusion, violence or disorder, not stable or steady, causing unrest, tempestuous, etc (MWD).

From the definition, it is apparent that the topic under consideration is expected that peace when we are faced with diverse problems of life causing confusion and despair.

Based on the above, Christ said in our text John 14:27, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

He addressed the issue of the peace which He gives to Christians as opposed to human peace.

Worldly peace is temporary and only possible when things are well and in the international system war is the last resort to peace when round-table talks fails.

Christ who addressed the issue of fear that Christians must not fear because it is the basis of lack of peace in troubled times.

As a result, the peace Christ gives to Christians rules or guides their hearts and it is enjoyed and exhibited in all circumstances of human living (John 14:27; Galatians 5:22; Philippians 4:7). 

HOW TO HOLD PEACE IN TURBULENT TIMES

During turbulent times, in order not to lose the peace we have received from Christ, we should do as follows:

• Faith in God: Faith is prime in our relationship with God (Hebrews 11:6; II Corinthians 5:7; Matthew 17:20). 

We must have faith that the Omnipotent God is in control of our trials because He is the God of all situations who never leaves for a second (Matthew 19:26; 28:20; Hebrews 13:5–6) that the Omniscient God knows and has already made a way of escape even before our problems occur as He loves His children so much (1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 John 3:1).

If we have faith in this way, fear and doubt are removed and we have peace in our trying moments.

• Thanksgiving and Praises: Giving thanks and singing praises to God in difficult times relieves our hearts of heavy burden worrying, fear, leading to joy and peace. 

We are commanded to thank God always and praising God is one of the ways we do live, sing and tell God, You are worthy Lord in my trials.

As we do this, we have peace in tribulations because our hearts are free from the heaviness of trials (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Ephesians 4:20; Hebrews 13:15; Acts 16:25).

• God’s word: Read and study God’s word claiming promises for us in trials – that our problems are fulfilment of God’s promises for us (2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12-13; James 1:2; Psalm 34:19; 2 Timothy 3:11). 

We have faith in God’s word that our trials refine us for maturity and better things to come, we will surely have peace throughout our turbulent trials (Job 23:10; 1 Peter 1:7; Romans 8:28).

• Prayer: Just as thanksgiving and praises to God relieves our hearts of heavy burdens, so prayer does. When we pray in times of trouble, we must have faith of victory. The hope of answer to prayers gives inner peace (1 Peter 3:12; John 14:13–14; 1 John 3:22; 5:14–15). 

If you stop or fail to pray in troubled periods, you will be overwhelmed with the burden of trials, you may collapse and go into coma so we must pray as often as possible in trials for prayer is never too much. Therefore having peace in turbulent times means praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Peter 5:7).

• Be on top of turbulent times: Let us see our problems as ants and we as giants in This is to because in all these things (various problems of life) we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).

If you see your problems as giants, bigger than you, you may be swept out of faith by them. But seeing ourselves as more than conquerors gives us internal peace to sail through difficult periods.

• Count your blessings: In tempestuous times; we must count our blessings in Christ Jesus especially eternal life and victory over problems. 

Any Christian who counts his woes in trials is unwise, ungrateful and cannot enjoy the peace Christ gives.

The joy and hope of eternal life in heaven gives us peace of mind in turbulent times that cannot be compared (Matthew 16:26, 1 Peter 4:13; Revelation 21:4). 

CONCLUSION

In Christ we have perfect peace in a troubled world of wicked and perilous human challenges (Isaiah 9:6; John 16:33).

So as Christians, our hearts are free from heavy burdens of life, and we enjoy and exhibit this peace in all situations for we know all things work together for our good (Philippians 4:7; Romans 8:28).

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