“Peace I live with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John chapter 14, verse 27)
In times of crisis, one of the most valuable things we can possess is peace. Several times in scripture, we are urged to maintain peace. With the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, many have been subjected to fear. Believers must now show the world that we can have peace even in the midst of the storm.
Two reactions to crisis
“And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But he was in the storm, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? Then he arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'peace be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”(Mark chapter 4, verses 37-40)
It’s interesting to note that the disciples and Jesus had different reactions to the storm. While the disciples were afraid, Jesus had perfect peace. He was asleep as the waves tossed the boat. When the storms of life come, we can choose to be afraid or to trust God and maintain peace. I often say that fear is a choice because we can choose to believe what we hear around us or to believe God’s word.
How to maintain peace in times of crisis
Peace and fear arises due to what we give attention to. When issues like diseases and natural disasters arise, our perspective will determine whether we will have peace or be subject to fear.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulations. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John chapter 16, verse 33)
In times of crisis, we must ask ourselves this question: to whom are we paying attention? Is it to God’s word or to the world? When our minds are fixed on God’s promises, nothing can shake us. Jesus could sleep in a storm because he knew he was safe in God. Peace is a product of standing on God’s word. When we are standing on the word, the storms of life can never pull us down.
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock” (Mathew chapter 7, verses 24-25)
Sometimes, we just have to stop listening to the words of fear and unbelief being propagated by men and by the media and cast our gaze on Christ.
I believe COVID-19 is just the beginning of the storms that will happen in these last days. But we have a sure ark - Christ, the word of God. While the world falls into deeper levels of fear, the true church will display a level of peace that will cause the world to wonder. I believe our greatest weapon in these last days is peace.
Rume Kpadamrophe is an evangelist, writer, teacher and researcher based in Lagos, Nigeria. Rume speaks French and English and loves to travel. His desire is to see revival ignited and sustained in the nations of the world. Rume’s email address is rumekpadamrophe@yahoo.com
Rume’s previous articles may be viewed at https://www.pressserviceinternational.org/rume-padsmrophe.html
