What is Peace?

What is peace?

Many people see or experience peace as different things.

Here are a couple of the definitions that Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary has:
Peace -
* In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquillity; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind.

* Heavenly rest; the happiness of heaven.

Then there is the actual symbols of peace. Within the last few years as our girls have gotten bigger and we have been able to shop in some "big girl" sections or even specialty stores I have noticed that the peace sign is on almost everything. I have never been a personal fan of the peace sign. Either the sign itself or holding two fingers up signifying peace. When I see either I think back on a day where it represented disrespect and immoral actions by millions of people.

A few months back I even emailed one girl's specialty store commenting on how almost every item in their catalog had a peace sign of some sort emblazzened on it. The reply I got back was this:

"The use of the peace sign is simply a trend in fashion that is happening within the retail industry. The peace signs used in our clothes and accessories are a fashion statement with no particular meaning. "The Store's" use of the peace sign does not in any way reflect the company’s political point of view." (Along with an apology to our family that they weren't meaning to be offensive.)

I wanted to reply back - if it doesn't reflect your views then why use it so much! But I accepted their apology and we will just choose to shop elsewhere.

God's Word warns us to: "Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:21-23

Not that the peace sign itself is evil. But in my opinion it has symbolized evil in the past 50 years and we personally don't want to represent something that has done that.

I believe that if something has been used as a symbol in a time era that depicted sin in the most foulest form and complete disregard to service men and women during their time of war and service to our blessed nation that it should not be glorified today. Needless to say we don't wear any peace signs at our house.

When I think of peace something completely different comes to mind. I think of calmness and assurance. No fighting. Growing up in a home where there was constant arguing going on I found that my peace could not come from my family. But I am so very thankful that I found my true peace in the Only One that can give it. From God. We will only know peace when we realize that we need that relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. Then we'll have peace because no matter what happens to us in this passing world we'll have an eternity secure in heaven with Him!

Here are some of my favorite verses regarding peace:

Psalm 119:165
"Great peace have those who love Your law,...."

Isaiah 26:12
"LORD, You will establish peace for us, for You have also done all our works in us."

Romans 8:6
"For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control..."

Ephesians 2:14-16
"For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity."

Philippians 4:6-8
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."


Colossians 3:15
"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful."

1 Peter 3:11
"Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it."