One thing that I have struggled with throughout my Christian life is how to gain peace. I remember setting through a number of sermons and hearing how we, as Christians, have peace that others don't have. I would wonder, "Where is my peace?" or "Why has the Lord given no peace to me? What am I missing?" It seemed that others in the church and those that I came in contact with had something that I didn't have or even understand. But what? Then, one Sunday night when we were closing the sermon in prayer something struck me. The individual that was praying asked the Lord to help us to pray with our hearts rather than pray only with our mouths. I knew that was it. That was what was missing from my life. I had tried to pray every single evening since I had come to know the Lord, but it was how I was praying that was the problem. I then made the decision that I would get up an hour earlier in the morning before I had to leave for work and pray. This way there would be nothing that would come between the Lord and I during this time. I must confess, I have never felt such peace in my life. Now, I would like to help you try to obtain the peace of God in your life. God's Word lays out the blueprint of how we can have peace "which passeth all understanding."

(Of course these are in no particular order)

Step One: Take everything to the Lord through prayer

The Lord has promised that He will give peace to those of us who take our requests to Him in prayer. Philippians 4:6-7: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. The verse clearly states that if we go to Him in prayers He WILL give us peace that we cannot comprehend. God has given us His word concerning this and He will keep It.

Step Two: Look to Jesus for Peace

The only way to gain true peace is through Jesus. We can get all the riches that the world has to offer but it will never bring true peace. Things of the world may bring ease from burdens but never the peace of God. Romans 5:1: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace through our Lord Jesus Christ. This verse shows us the path to the peace that we can have and all roads lead to our Lord Jesus.

Step Three: Keep the Lord's Commandments

Should we expect the Lord to bless us with peace when we are not following His commandments and are not trying to live our lives as He would want? When I'm not living as I should or have done wrong I don't feel the peace of God in my life. I can feel a void. Why? Proverbs 3:1-2: My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. The Lord will only give us peace when we are living our lives as He would have us to. Psalm 37:37: Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. Isaiah 32:17: And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. Those who are upright are "righteous" and He will have peace.

Step Four: Have Love for God's Word

If we don't love God's Word or the Bible then we can never truly know Him or follow Him. The Lord has promised peace to those who love His Word. Psalm 119:165: Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. If we study the Word of God I think that we have no choice but to simply fall in love with it and want to live by every Word that is written within it.

Step Five: Stay Focused on the Lord

If we keep our minds on Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace, then we will have peace in our lives. This again, is a promise that the Lord has given to us. Isaiah 26:3: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. We should have no difficulty keeping our minds on the Lord as He does provide everything that we gain.

I hope that this has helped you to see that God does want to give you peace in your life. He will not give you peace just because we are Christians. Take it from me as I learned that firsthand. He will give us peace when we take Him at His Word and do what He tells us to. The peace of God is a wonderful thing and I hope that we all can obtain it in our lives.