Peace be to you,

Peace to your home, and

Peace to all that you own.

WE COMMONLY hear such greetings inside the halls of godly gatherings. We nod, embrace or shake hands with declarative words of peace. But several times we sense its shallowness that we doubt or question the presence of peace within. We struggle to find peace and comfort within, as surmounting pressures or daunting fears incessantly knock in our hearts.

At times, we surrender to negativity and we lose our peace. A person who loses or lacks peace experiences decreased inner joy, contentment and essential things pertaining to abundant life. It then results to declining health, decaying morality and entangled hope, and worse could lead to death either spiritually, physically or both. However, there is hope and a life to live to the fullest. It starts with having peace.

Peace starts by accepting, believing and living the truth. Truth will set us free from our fears that engulf us. It causes us to break the chains of intimidation that limits us. Any form of struggle within or without will cease by accepting truth leading to peace. Truth upholds us and keeps us unshakable in moments of extreme difficulties. Accepting truth means letting go of the things that you have categorically no control over and trusting the Almighty God that He is sovereign over all things. Things may not turn out the way we expected or may not always be perfect the way we imagined, but accepting and seeing that God works in ways beyond our ways will bring peace in us. Further, believing the truth that all things work together for good to those whose minds and hearts trust Him will generate peace.

Peace is an anchor to someone who needs approval and seeks recognition. People keep on pursuing self-recognition that they start to be mindful of the people around them instead of focusing on how God really designed them to be. Affirmation is needed because it strengthens and encourages us, but do not seek it primarily from people. Affirmation must first be sought from God. A person must find out what is acceptable and pleasing to God, do it as He wills and the result is peace within.

Peace provides an opportunity for honorable connections and meaningful relationships. Living peaceably with our family, neighbors, classmates or co-employees will stir happiness and selflessness. One of the true joys in this world is sharing our lives to others. Experience a deeper sense of wellbeing and living to the fullest as we inspire, encourage and touch others. We now become God?s instruments of peace and, above all, we start to demonstrate through our lives the Life of the Prince of Peace.

Our prayer for you right now is that you will experience the God of Peace. We declare that the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your heart. You will never be moved nor be shaken by adverse challenges. Peace be to you.