The drive to work today was stressful. It snowed during the night and the roads were bad. I recently drained the battery on my car and since then there have been a several electrical glitches. The windshield wipers and the defrost are not functioning well and there is a light indicating the traction control may not be working. So for most of my drive it was very difficult to see and I was afraid to stop, turn or change lanes. The thing is, a week ago it was warm enough that my family and I rode our bikes to the park.

I prefer riding a bike to the park over driving a car through the snow.

I also prefer when everyone in my family is healthy over the time we thought my wife had MS or the time I waited for the ambulance on the side of the highway because my three-year-old son was struggling to breathe. I prefer when people like me over sensing they are angry with me. I prefer when we have money in the bank over worrying about bills.

I don’t like things that threaten my peace.

But the truth is, if we are looking for peace from our circumstances we will never find it. I know many have faced things far more severe than the examples I gave. Having said that, it is just reality that this life can’t give us the peace we need. If I am sick or in conflict or in danger there is no peace. If I am well and in a safe place, there is still no peace because I live with the fear that it could go away at any minute.

Enough bad news. The good news is that Jesus offers us a peace that is unaffected by circumstances. It is a peace that don’t make no sense. It is a peace that remains even when the world around us is blowing up. It is a peace that comes from knowing we are loved, we are redeemed, we are not alone and we are not powerless. He gives us the power to do something about our present circumstances and he also gives us the hope that there is a day coming when there won’t be anything left that can take away our peace.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Phil 4:7