Let His Peace Rule Your Heart

 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

—Colossians 3:15

 

 

If there is one thing we can learn from hardship or worry, it is that they can steal our peace. When we endure hardship or experience fear, we often look for encouragement from someone else or from improving circumstances. We attempt to reach a mental place of peace instead of allowing the spiritual peace God has given us to rule in our hearts. His peace is not the peace we receive from circumstances improving or having good feelings. The perfect peace that is God’s gift to us carries us through any hardship without fear if we choose to draw upon it (Isaiah 26:3, 1 John 4:18).

 

The Amplified Bible Classic Edition expands Colossians 3:15 in this way: “And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].” 

 

In sports, an umpire is a person who knows all the rules of the game and settles disputes. The peace of God is our umpire who knows all the rules and settles all disputes as to what the will of God is for our lives. We must learn to listen to what the spiritual peace of God is trying to tell us. We must prioritize it in our lives and follow what it tells us. We cannot find God’s spiritual peace trying to reason out His game plan with our natural understanding. The only way to life and peace is to be spiritually minded (Romans 8:6). We can only see, hear, and understand with His spiritual mind, not our natural ones.

 

God’s peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit every born-again believer possesses. His peace continually attempts to “umpire” and guide us, but we often do not listen. We go against the peace of God instead of letting it rule in our hearts, and we act according to our game plan. Later, when tragedy comes as the result of a bad decision, we acknowledge the unease we initially had. That unease was the peace of God trying to rule in our hearts, but we were too determined to play by our rules instead of His.

 

There are some things we can do to help the peace of God rule in our hearts and “umpire” us. 

 

Wrong decisions are made when all options are not considered in prayer. We also cannot allow doubt to rule out what God’s possibilities might be. As we visualize each option, we should have greater peace when considering the one the Lord wishes for us. This does not mean there will be total peace with any choice. Since we are not always spiritually minded, questioning and unrest are not unusual. But just as an umpire has to make a call, we need to be courageous enough to follow the decision that gives us the most peace.  

 

A ship has to be moving for its rudder to steer it. It doesn’t have to be at full speed for its rudder to work, but it must still be moving to receive direction. We also must move and step out in faith before the peace of God directs us. Sometimes, we will make a mistake. But when we make a wrong decision trying to follow the peace of God, the Lord will undoubtedly bless it more than indecisiveness and indecision (Romans 14:23, Proverbs 16:3).

 

God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). God’s peace is the spiritual state of mind in which we are called to live. Allowing His peace to rule our hearts settles the questions that arise in our minds. When we step out in faith following God's peace, He will guard our thoughts. Praising God for His spiritual peace no matter our circumstances will guard our minds and hearts and acknowledge His priority in our lives (Philippians 4:6-7).

 

The peace of God will direct your thoughts, deciding and settling your questions. If you try to reason everything out, you will only know fear, and fear is death to your faith. A spiritually minded man experiences life and peace (Romans 8:6). What is your hardship? Worry? Fear? The natural mind must yield to the spiritual. God calls you to allow His peace to rule in your heart, to be one with Him, and to have a thankful attitude. 

 

Now you, my born-again friend, have received the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). You have the power of the Holy Spirit to deny human reasoning and be spiritually minded. But it is your choice to focus on the Lord and exercise the peace that is yours in Christ. 

 

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

 

Reach beyond this natural life, and let the peace of Jesus rule your heart.

 

 

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