Shalom: Biblical Peace That Surpasses Understanding and How It Actually Works

The peace of God is uncommon because the world cannot produce it, reason cannot create it, and suffering cannot remove it.  It is not understandable, but it is unmistakable; not the calm of control, but the confidence of surrender; not temporary, but eternal.   It is uncommon because it is secured in Christ, sustained by trust and guarded by the Holy Spirit.

This peace is described in Paul’s letter from prison in Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  It is one of Scripture’s most remarkable promises.  It speaks of a peace so unusual and so supernatural that Paul’s description is loaded.

Paul first notes you access this peace through prayer, recognizing that nothing is too small or too large to qualify.  He instructs you in earnest “prayer and supplication with thanksgiving” to convey a posture of thanking God for answering your specific petition before you know the outcome.  Paul then declares this “peace of God” flows from your relationship with Christ to give you His inexplicable peace in the midst of circumstances that should give you anything but peace.  God’s peace lovingly surrounds and invades you to comfort you and to guard your mind.

Old Testament Scripture prophesied this in Isaiah 5:6, speaking about Christ: “He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Jesus is not just the provider of this peace, He is the origin and ruler of it.

This is revealed again during the Last Supper, hours before His crucifixion in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  The peace Jesus speaks of is not a generic peace; it is the peace that He Himself possesses.  He is transferring a part of His very character. 

Contrast this with the “peace” the world offers:

□   Peace through resolved circumstances … (the problem goes away)

□   Peace through distraction … (don’t think about it)

□   Peace through false thinking … (reframe the issue)

□   Peace though medication … (chemical alteration)

□   Peace through achievement … (succeed enough to relax)

□   Peace through escape … (avoid the problem, hoping it goes away).

□   Peace through control … (eliminate uncertainty)

□   Peace through wealth … (buy your way out)

All of the above are situation-dependent.  They are fragile and temporary, at best.  Remove any favorable circumstance and your peace evaporates instantly.   Worse yet, if you examine any of the paths to worldly “peace”, each contradicts teachings in the Bible by removing your dependence on your Creator.

Instead, Isaiah 26:3 advises: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”   The “perfect peace” term in Hebrew is “shalom shalom”, with the doubling of the word describing the intensity of complete, total, and overflowing peace.  Note the way this peace is received – by being focused on God in total trust.  If you do not know His peace, ask for it and ask Him to reveal why you do not have it.

This trust is the foundation of both peace with God and the peace of God.  Romans 8:6-7 declares: “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.”  Clearly, if you are focused on the world, you cannot establish peace with God, thus isolating yourself from the peace of God.  Only through the regular orientation of your mind toward God can the Spirit produce the peace of God as a natural byproduct.

Colossians 3:15 also instructs you to “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”  Notice the word “rule”.  The peace of Christ is to rule in your decision-making.  Whenever you’re facing decisions, uncertainties, conflicts, or choices of action, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you in seeking God’s will.  Though obedience may lead in a temporarily uncomfortable direction, if a deeper peaceful assurance is accompanying the choice, lean into it in full confidence of alignment with His will.

Jesus does not promise the absence of problems, but His peace amidst the trouble.  John 16:33 affirms this: “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.”  This says that Christ’s uncommon peace and trouble not only coexist, but that His peace is in Him and is grounded in His victory.  Let His peace be a barometer for your walk with Him; give thanks when you have it and seek its restoration should you lose it.

Ephesians 6:10-17 describes the armor of God believers are to don when facing Satan’s attacks. Verse 15 you are told to have your “your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”  The uncommon peace of Christ provides stable footing against fear, uncertainty, and doubt, making a formidable defense to help you stand firm.

Jesus modeled this uncommon peace while sleeping in the boat during a storm (Mark 4:38) only to awaken and to calm the storm and his disciple’s fear.  Later, in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus is anguishing, sweating blood and asking the Father if the cup can pass.  (Luke 22:42-43)   Yet He prays “not my will but yours be done” in an act of complete surrender and strange peace despite his agony.  Even on the cross (Luke 23:34) this uncommon peace expresses His concern for others in the midst of torture and abandonment – “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”   His peace is indeed a supernatural peace.

To recap, here are several ways you receive this uncommon peace:

□   Through justifying faith - Peace with God precedes and enables the peace of God (Romans 5:1). This foundation must be established first.

□   Through prayer with thanksgiving - Anxiety surrendered to God in prayer, framed by gratitude, produces the peace that guards (Philippians 4:6-7). This is the active discipline.

□   Through staying the mind on God - Habitual mental orientation toward God, His character, and His promises (Isaiah 26:3). This requires deliberate mental effort.

□   Through the Holy Spirit - "The fruit of the Spirit is... peace" (Galatians 5:22). Peace is produced by the Spirit, not manufactured by self. We cooperate with the Spirit; we don't generate peace independently.

□   Through meditating on Scripture - "Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble" (Psalm 119:165). The Word renews the mind (Romans 12:2), and the renewed mind experiences peace.

□   Through abiding in Christ - "In me you may have peace" (John 16:33). Peace flows from union with the Prince of Peace.

□   Through surrender and trust - "Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). Active release of what we're clutching – worries, plans, fears, outcomes – into God's hands.

The uncommon peace you can experience now is but a foretaste of what is to come.  Revelation 21:4 describes your final state: “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”  Complete shalom will be found in the eternal tranquility you experience as you dwell in His presence forever.