Average Christian conversation:
Norm: “So Jack, you were thinking about doing that mission trip to Antarctica, right? Do you know whether or not you’re supposed to do it yet?”
Jack: “Yeah Norm, so I decided I’m not gonna do it man.”
Norm: “Oh yeah? Why’s that man?”
Jack: “Well, you know man, I just didn’t have a peace about it.”
Norm: “Ah, bro, that makes sense. The Lord didn’t want you there.”
Jack: “Yeah, I think I’m just supposed to wait here until I get this crazy revelation of peace and awesomeness from God on what my next assignment is.”
Norm: “Totally feel you bro. Your heart’s gotta be in it.”
Jack: “Yeah man. Why do something that goes against your heart, ya know?”
OK. So all exaggeration aside, there is a HUGE problem in today’s Christian culture and common dialogue that is so damaging to the body of Christ, and I’ve pretty much had it with it so I’m freaking calling it out.
“I don’t have a peace about it.”
WHAT.
What exactly does this phrase mean?
Well, basically, someone was going to do something or go somewhere but because they felt confused, worried, or anxious about it, they decided that they weren’t supposed to go.
They didn’t have a peace about it.
And apparently that’s how God talks to us now.
Through not having peace.
WHAT.
What the actual crap.
I’m going to say this once (actually I might say it again): GOD DOES NOT SPEAK TO US THROUGH LACK OF PEACE.
Nope.
Not once.
Never.
It’s probably the stupidest thing you could say about how the Father of Grace talks to his beloved children.
Why?
Because a lack of peace is a lack of his voice.
He is the Spirit of Peace, who guards our hearts and minds.
He is the Father who gives us a peace beyond understanding when we focus on Him.
He is the Son of God who bled and died upon a cross to bring peace to the chaotic chasm that separated us from God.
Everything I read about my Savior in his word tells me that he has a voice that calms seas and brings light to troubled darkness. It tells me that he is the very meaning of peace, he is the Prince of Peace; peace is his very identity.
To be anything but peace is to deny his very nature, which he cannot do.
The opposite of peace is doubt, worry, fear, anxiety, confusion, stress, chaos, etc.
Do any of these things describe our beautiful God?
If you answered no to the previous question, then congratulations! You are one step closer to becoming free from the bondage of culture, and closer to becoming a friend of God.
And that’s what he is to us: a friend.
Let’s think about it this way: when a friend asks you for your opinion on something, do you ever try and make them confused and doubtful, and attempt to give them a general uneasiness?
If you love them, then the answer should be no.
That’s cruel.
Then why on earth would we think that our very Best Friend would do that to us when we ask Him for advice on something?
He doesn’t want us to be confused, He wants us to be sound-minded friends of His that know his voice and respond according to his nature, because we know who he is.
If you don’t have a peace about something, I hate to say this, but that’s on you. You can’t pin God to that donkey you’ve created. He wants nothing to do with being associated with confusion or doubt. If you don’t have a peace about something, most likely it’s because you haven’t fully accepted his love, or have heard from him and are simply doubting that you’ve heard.
Or maybe he wants you to make the decision.
What.
Can God do that?
Why certainly. This earth is a training ground for us to become more like Christ so that when He comes to claim us as His bride he finds us worthy of that holy marriage. And what groom wants a bride that is always asking exactly what to do?
Boring.
He wants a bride that knows him so intimately that he doesn’t need to tell her what to do or where to go on every turn in life. (which leads into another whole problem in today’s Christian culture but I’ll save that for another day)
Now, all this being said, sometimes there is a reason we don’t have peace about something. For example, if we enter a room and our spirit is uneasy, there might be spiritual warfare going on. Or, if we don’t feel peace about a certain thing we’re involved in or about to do, it may because it reminds us of something in our past, or brings up a fear that was previously hidden.
But never, ever, does a lack of peace come from God.
If we keep our minds trained on him, and take our thoughts captive to his obedience, he promises perfect peace.
Not a lack of it.
“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
“The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.”
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
“May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”
Hopefully that was enough to convince you.
GOD NEVER USES LACK OF PEACE TO TALK.
Remember that.
the unworthy wanderer 