When Life Wears You Down

Life can grind you up and spit you out. My wife has a saying that life can beat you down like a rodeo clown. I can only imagine those bulls trampling on the rodeo clown while they’re protecting the unseated rider. But there are those days (weeks, months, years) where you just feel worn out by the hits life can bring. As believers in Jesus, followers of the Messiah, what do we do when we’re feeling abused by this life, the struggles, and yes, the people in it?

As I was writing this, I was reminded of all the moments I felt discouraged, emotionally exhausted, and frustrated. The key part in all of those moments was a lack of peace in my life. I was also reminded of how many times peace is spoken of in the Bible. All the way through the gospels and the epistles (who are not the wives of the apostles) you see the word ‘peace’ as part of a greeting, part of a salutation, a descriptor of God’s attributes, or as an entreatment and encouragement that we should have and walk in peace.

I’m sure you’re thinking – especially if you’re life seems to be a tad bit pulverizing at the moment, “HAVE YOU SEEN OUR WORLD!?” In the last decade they have “discovered” 80+ new genders, men now having babies, a gigantic immigration crisis which has divided the country, wars and rumors of wars, plagues — not to be confused with plaque which 9 out of 10 dentists recommend Dentine — earthquakes, hurricanes, political violence and unrest. And in all of this we’re supposed to have peace!?

YES!

Remember the Bible is God’s love letter to us! The words there are Holy Spirit inspired. God spoke those words to us through His servants for us to read and HEAR with our hearts. Too many times we read them as just words on paper. We equate “peace to you” as “Howdy y’all” in Texan vernacular. But re-read it. The God of peace, just one of His many marvelous and amazing attributes, spoke those words through the Holy Spirit for you to receive. It’s not just a greeting! It’s not just a tag line to close a letter. It’s an encouragement to hide ourselves in Him for He is our peace. He is our refuge. He is our strong tower. He is the lifter of our heads when we’re weary and worn down. I’m realizing those moments I lack peace are the same moments when my heart desperately needs to draw near to Him for He is my peace.

Ok, so I’m not some sort of savant who has a bunch of trivia just waiting to tumble out of my brainpan (baseball trivia excluded). I looked it up and found the greek word, εἰρήνη (I think it’s pronounced ee-reen-ee) is used 99 times in 91 verses of the New Testament. And suddenly it should become clear to you, as it has to me, having peace; walking in peace, especially in a world spinning violently out of control devoid of any true peace is vital for our life and our sanity. Here are a couple of verses that speak to this:

John 14:27 (two versions – to clearly present the words of Jesus)
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (NKJV)

27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. (NLT)

Romans 8:6
6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. (NLT)

You will find throughout the New Testament: walk in peace, be filled with peace, receive peace, peace be with you. It’s as if the times those words were written the world was in chaotic destruction, filled with political, social, and religious unrest. Persecution, wars, and all sorts of evil have been coming to everyone in this world since the fall of man. Satan has been working overtime to rob people through every sort and type of distraction, temptations, and attacks possible. No one is immune to the devils attacks. We as believers and followers of Christ thwart his attempts to wrangle our minds and hearts away from peace by abiding — or living — in our Dwelling Place — Jesus!

That brings me to wear this turns so beautifully precious, like gold or diamonds, in my mind. The non-followers, the unbelievers, those still in the matrix (to use a movie metaphor) crave this elusive peace. It’s something they want. It’s something they need to fill that God-shaped hole in their heart. They’re looking for it in relationships, drugs, music, power or control, money, things. They cannot and will not ever find it in any of those, because those things do not bring peace. They bring a momentary sense of satisfaction which quickly dissolves away making them look for something more. WE have what THEY want!! PEACE!!

If we will live and walk with the peace of God ruling our hearts and minds, many are going to see what we have and ask how can they have that (envy works in that direction, too, believe it or not). This is not to say they’ll accept Him because there is quite a hefty sacrifice to surrender your heart and call Jesus Lord, but I have never [read: NEVER] met a Christian who regretted the decision to make Jesus Lord of their lives. I’m reminded of the words of Jesus:

Matthew 7:13
13 “Go in through the narrow gate, because the gate to hell is wide and the road that leads to it is easy, and there are many who travel it.” (GNT)

The next time you’re reading a passage in the bible and you see the word ‘peace’ realize the God of peace wants you to carry that peace in you, all the time, wherever you are, to whomever you’re with, for whatever the reason you’re there … and that you leave that place with a piece of His peace.

Here’s a bit of final proof of His desire for us to live, walk, and share the peace that only He gives:

Isaiah 53:5
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. (NKJV, emphasis added)

He took the beatings, scourgings, and punishment that was ours – He took them in our place. He accepted what we deserved and in return gave us peace that was His.  His love is amazing!

When you’re looking at this world and it’s making you mutter the words from the old Snickers commercial, “Wanna Get Away” RUN to Jesus. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith and the only One who can bring true peace to our hearts and minds. Be the envy of all who know you; demonstrate the peace their missing in their lives.

— Pastor Rick