Future Peace

You cannot have a peaceful heart if your expectations about life are inaccurate. When we seek to achieve a calm and contented spirit by asking God to fix all our problems we can be certain our lives will be filled with angst and anxiety. While it may be intuitive to want a peaceful heart by means of a peaceful life, Jesus said that for now inner peace is achieved through knowing that there will be plenty of trouble and trials in this fallen world.

Realistic expectations about this period before the establishment of Christ’s kingdom, and confidence that it is indeed on its way, are the keys to biblical fortitude and serenity. After Jesus detailed some of the promises and the problems of the Christian life he concluded by saying: “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” (Jn.16:33).

So while we joyfully anticipate the future reign of Jesus Christ, let us take heart knowing that the current storms of life will one day be quelled and what is right will be finally and forever vindicated. Take heart!