Walk the Walk

John 14:27 - Finding True Calm: Embracing Jesus' Unwavering Peace Amid Life’s Chaos

Tina Perry

Feeling overwhelmed by life's chaos and yearning for a peace that surpasses all understanding? Join us on Walk the Walk as we explore the profound peace Jesus offers, diving into John 14:27 and reflecting on its transformative power in our lives. I share a deeply personal experience of grappling with anxiety during a challenging period when Jeff was hospitalized, and how seeking Jesus' peace made all the difference. We'll discuss the promise Jesus made to His disciples before His crucifixion, emphasizing that His peace is available to us even amid life's storms. Additionally, we'll touch upon how focusing on Jesus and trusting in His love can bring calm during tumultuous times, and how nature's serenity serves as a reminder of God's unwavering peace.

In a world fraught with anxiety and fear, pausing to pray and trust in Jesus' promises can be a sanctuary. We'll dive into practical strategies for shifting our focus from fear to faith, referencing powerful scriptures like John 14:27. Discover the significance of sharing your worries with Jesus and the unparalleled peace He provides—a stark contrast to the fleeting comfort of worldly solutions. We also highlight the importance of a supportive community to uplift and encourage us during tough times. To wrap up, we'll offer a heartfelt prayer, asking for Jesus' calming presence to fill our hearts and reminding us to turn to Him whenever anxiety and worry creep in. Let us journey together in casting our burdens upon Him and finding true rest in His presence.

Speaker 1:

Hello and welcome to Walk the Walk. I want to read a scripture to you and then I want to kind of expand upon it a little bit today. This scripture comes from John 14, 27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Speaker 1:

Wow, you know, life sometimes can be just a whirlwind of stress and anxiety, and it seems like there are times where we go through these valleys, we kind of peak and valley and things are good, and then all of a sudden our life is just bombarded with a lot of pressures, responsibilities, unexpected challenges and we become extremely overwhelmed In the middle of all of your chaos. You know, jesus offers us this precious gift which is his peace. Jesus offers us this precious gift which is his peace. This is not a peace like what the world can give us, because what the world offers us, as far as peace, can be materialistic things. We may shop our peace. In other words, we go and we buy us a new outfit and for a moment we feel this excitement and feel the peace, but it doesn't last. You know, peace is not again like what the world offers us, but it is like it depends upon our circumstances in our life and how much peace we can fill in our life. And how much peace we can fill. Jesus gives us this deep and what we would call, I guess, abiding peace that remains even in the midst of the storm, and I know you heard me talk a little bit about this when Jeff first was in the hospital.

Speaker 1:

Every day I woke up unpeaceful Is that even a word? I woke up not feeling peaceful. I went to bed not feeling peaceful. I was scared, my mind whirled around of all of what's going on and the possibilities, and I even pulled in things that were probably never going to happen and probably wouldn't happen. But boy, I could drum up some things like crazy, and I begged God for his peace, and I knew, with my mind being in control, I could never allow the peace of God to come across. But in John 14, 27, jesus told his disciples that he was leaving them with his peace. Now, this is just right before his crucifixion. Now, this is when, a time when they all felt fear and uncertainty. They were seeing Jesus going to be killed, and Jesus had the peace that God had given him. Jesus knew what he was about to face and he was telling them that his peace would be with them. Jesus is promising the very same thing to us, no matter what we are facing. Jesus's peace is available to you. Jesus's peace surpasses all.

Speaker 1:

Understanding Doesn't always make sense in a world that we live in right now. Look at the world, I mean look around. It's hard to live and calm. It's hard not to look at what's going on and think is this, it, is this the end? Are all these crazy things that these people are doing around me? It's engulfing me, it's consuming me. How can I get rid of that evilness that keeps ruling around in my mind? How can we feel calm when everything around us is falling apart? Well, I think you kind of got the message you said trusting Jesus.

Speaker 1:

His peace comes from knowing that he is in control, he loves us and he will never leave us. He loves us and he will never leave us. It's that profound sense of calm that comes from our relationship with him. And you know, as I sit and do my podcast, I have a view that is worth $15 million. I don't know if it is. I'm using that number just to try to show you how beautiful this view is. There's a river here in front of me that is so calm and I watch the waters Every day it's different and every day there's a peace from it. I sit here at my desk and I just sit out there and watch it. I'm just watching water, I'm watching mountains, I'm watching trees, and it's calm, it's all calm, and it gives me a sense of calmness Because I know he created that calm and he gives it to me free of charge.

Speaker 1:

To experience God's peace, we need to turn your focus on to Jesus. I know it can be challenging, especially when you're in the midst of bad news, but in that midst of bad news, it is time for you to say I know Jesus, I know who you are and I know you're going to take this situation and make it the way you want it to be. I need that peace to cover me, fill me, envelop me, so that when I walk, I walk confidently and peaceful. Cast all your worries upon him, trust in his care. This doesn't mean that your problems are going to be like oh, that's it, they're gone, they disappeared, they're going to still be there, but it does mean that you're going to find rest, knowing that Jesus is with you and will help you through it. One way to do this is through prayer.

Speaker 1:

When you feel that anxiety and nervousness, take a moment pause, pray and say Jesus, I know the outcome of this is going to be mighty and great. You're going to use it for my good. Share your worries with him. Ask for his peace to fill your heart. Read your scriptures, like John 14, 27, which reminds you of his promises, and shift your focus from fear to faith. I just pray that you have a supportive community, a group of people like I have, who are always there for me, who are always there to uplift me and encourage me. Sometimes, just having someone that you know, maybe just a little bit stronger than you are, is who you need to rely upon.

Speaker 1:

Again, jesus does not give us this worldly peace. His peace is a gift and available to us, no matter what your circumstances are. So when you start to feel troubled and scared, remember, do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Trust in his peace and let it guard your heart and your mind. Let's close in prayer. Jesus, thank you so much for your gift of peace. Help me to remember that it's your promise to me that I need to trust in you, especially when I'm overwhelmed, filled with anxiety. Anxiety and I'm worried, and what ifs seem to take over. Take over. Fill my heart with your calmness and remind me that I have you, the Holy Spirit, day and night. Help me to turn to you, father God, in prayer and to rest in your presence. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.