Does Real Peace have a Counterfeit?

I was listening to a program last evening on TV. The main topic was recovery from additions and/or other problems people have faced. The couple being interviewed were what you might call 'opposites'. He had been on drugs and had been filled with rage. On the other hand the lady had grown up in a 'just right' environment. As the story unfolded and they realized they needed help I found it extremely interesting. Yes, the man who had practically uncontrollable 'fits' of rage, even to the extreme of destructive activity, needed help - and received it as He chose to accept the power of God into his heart. On the other hand, the woman who was always 'good' and did all in her power to 'fix' difficulties, seemed to have the harder time not only realizing her needs but accepting what she really needed to take part in a recovery process.

For anyone who knows me well I think you will agree that I like it when there is outward peace in the part of the world where I live.

As I listened to this couple I was again impressed with a truth I have been learning in my life. Even though I like to be at peace with others, that is not necessarily the end goal in life. It is also not my God given responsibility to 'fix' whatever seems to be wrong that appears to be causing others to be out of peace - either with themselves, with God or with others.

I was talking to a friend yesterday. She was telling me that she had been learning so much about Jesus recently. She went on to say that there were many gospels written about Jesus' life that are not in the Bible. (I don't doubt that.) She is into geneologies and told me that the one for Mary Magdelene had been 'found' or traced or whatever. That is also a possibility and I am not here to argue any of the above information. She told me she spent hours researching this information and is so excited about it. I listened to her with a smile on my face and a prayer in my heart while thinking about my friend 'I love you because of what Jesus is doing in me'.

But also, as she was talking, my mind went to some other current situations that really need her attention, as well. She has some animals and in my opinion, especially with the drought conditions we have recently been in, I am of the opinion that at least some of the money she is spending on copying all this 'new' material could have been used to buy some supplimentary food for her animal collection so they (to me) wouldn't look so uncomfortable. It did rain this last evening which I hope will help some grass to grow in the fields where some of the animals are kept. (Please note that the above are my opinions only.) But as I thought about my reactions, I wondered if those kinds of counterreactions will enable me to stay in 'real peace'. At this point in time I do not believe I have jurisdiction over what she chooses to do with her animals. And because I have previously 'nagged' her about them I sense a 'resistance' anytime I so much as mention something I think she should do differently - particularly in relation to her dealings with her animals. Why, she has had animals just about all of her life and she knows how to take care of them fine, thank you.

Is that the problem God has had with me in my understanding and my relation to His kind of Peace? When I was very young Satan had gotten me to believe that peace is when everything on the 'surface' looks fine. I also believed - with what I thought were proof texts from the Bible to support my belief - of peace at all cost.

God's kind of peace is on the inside and is from Him. Jesus told His disciples before He returned to heaven, "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." John 14:27 God's kind of peace is not based on 'happenings' - from which a common meaning of happiness is taken. God's kind of peace includes a deep, trusting, abiding confidence that the Creator who made me also loves me and will do for me and in me what He sees best so long as I will accept Him.

I believe I have been seeing an example of that kind of a peace in another friend's experiences. She has been in a legal situation with someone who basically 'betrayed' her. I have been helping her more as a friend but at times she has been able to give me something for my time. She loves God and her life has been lived in sharing with others about the Creator God.

Another person had persisted in asking my friend for help. After a while my friend even went so far as to lay aside her own means in support to help her friend - who promised to take care of her as she would her own mother. But after her friend got what she wanted from my friend, she has attempted to 'trash' my friend (my definition of what has happened).

After some of the initial shock passed my friend has, in my opinion anyway, been growing stronger in her relation with God. She still gets frustrated at times with ongoing activities from her former friend turned enemy to seemingly harass her, but quickly that changes to a lesson learned and strength received from God to 'face a new day' with Peace.

I have been challenged to 'learn faster' in my own life as I have watched my friend gaining strength through these experiences from those who have chosen to turn against her.

It amazes me too, that not only is she gaining strength, I believe, in her spiritual experience but is regaining physical strengh as well. She's determined to write a book and share some of what she has learned from this betrayal. She is also getting back into painting - one of her previous means of support.

As I think of my two friends, it is almost a study in opposites. The first friend I mentioned has, what seems to be, quite a list of grievances (a number of which are aimed our way) against a variety of folks who have crossed her life path. But I have been learning to look at her, smile, and in my mind say 'I love you'. The second friend I mentioned has had plenty of challenges especially this past year. Yet the longer I have known her the more counsel I have received - even on good ways to respond to my first friend - inspite of her own experiences of being betrayed by a person she had accepted as being true to her.

How does that apply to Peace? Somehow it is as though I am seeing contrasts before my eyes.
Which kind of peace do I want for my life? Peace that can only be had if the list grievences are resolved - i.e. a debt collector type mentality (but never quite being able to collect 'all' debts due)? Or Peace that comes from being able to 'rest', 'trust', have confidence that the God who created me loves me dearly and will only allow in my life what He sees will 'grow me up' into His likeness, His image? And in that growing up process He wants to use me to share His peace with others.

I'm chosing that kind for my life.

Bringer of Peace