Biblical Answer

Understanding the Nature of Peace

The concept of peace is often misunderstood as being equivalent to feeling good or being perfect. However, true peace, or shalom, is a Hebrew concept that refers to well-being, and it is something that can be experienced even in the midst of imperfection. Jesus tells us to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect (Matt. 5:48), but this is not about achieving absolute perfection, but rather about reflecting the absolute perfection of God's moral law and his own holiness.

The Source of Peace

The source of peace is not our own efforts or feelings, but rather our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. When we turn to Christ in faith, we have peace with God and a conscience that is no longer troubled (Romans 5:1). However, this does not mean that we will have complete peace in all our relationships or that we will be free from struggles. The real peace of God brings both power to face and live with our own badness and the badness of others, and it is only found in Christ.

Experiencing Peace

To experience peace, we must first understand that it is not about feeling good or being perfect, but about being in alignment with God's will and desires. Saint Seraphim of Sarov said, "Acquire inner peace and thousands around you will find their salvation." This means that as we seek to align ourselves with God's will and desires, we will experience peace, even in the midst of imperfection. This requires a deep trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, and a willingness to surrender our own desires and expectations to His will. When we do this, we will experience peace that is not dependent on our feelings or circumstances, but on our relationship with God.