“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God, you’ll be at rest.” Corrie Ten Boom was a Holocaust survivor who provided refuge to Jews.
As the world continues to whirl into another state of chaos with the war in Ukraine, many believers are trying to find peace without success. But Corrie Ten Boom’s words of truth remind us to look to God to be at rest. If a survivor of the Holocaust experienced finding God’s rest in the middle of a horrific circumstance, we can too!
The Foundations of Christ’s Rest:
What We Believe: What do you believe about God and Jesus? Have you taken the time to grow a deep relationship with God and Jesus? Do you know their heart and character? Have you committed your mind, words, and actions to follow Christ’s instructions to be his disciple?
God’s word tells us how important it is to know Him and His truth, that we are His, and that we are to be prepared in the following verses:
"We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. (Eph. 4:14, NLT)
There is no rest or peace until you make the decision to learn, grow, and follow God’s truth. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. (John 15:19-20, NLT)
33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. ( John 16:33, NLT)
Once we have chosen to be Christ’s disciples, we have decided to put our life on the line to remain steadfast and faithful to Christ, just as he gave us his life. We must trust God and Jesus with our soul and eternity to live in their supernatural peace and rest when we face challenging and heart-wrenching circumstances. This world will end, and we may live in those times of trouble, tribulation, and even death in our bodies. However, let us never forget that we will live with them as children of God and disciples of Christ in a perfect heaven for eternity!
Dwelling in Christ’s Peace: Jesus told all his followers, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27, NLT)
David spent fifteen years running for his life before he was crowned the King of Israel. During these years, he wrote this Psalm:
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
(Psa. 91:1-2, NIV)
The only true peace we can ever find in our human condition on this broken earth is through the perfect love and grace of Christ Jesus, our Savior and our Lord. As we open our hearts and learn to dwell in Christ’s supernatural peace, we will find true rest for our hearts and spirits regardless of our circumstances. Apart from Christ, how can supernatural peace exist?
Jesus Tells Us to Be Prepared
Jesus told them, 4 Jesus told them, "Don’t let anyone mislead you, 5 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. 8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. (Matt. 24:4-8, NLT)
"Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.[a] If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am." (John 14:1-3, NLT)
The only way to stay in Christ’s peace and rest is to keep our minds focused on him and share his saving Gospel with others. We will see the world’s troubles through Christ’s eyes as we obey his instructions and commands and continually grow in our relationship with him. Jesus will help us trust him no matter how things look, what we feel, or the outcome of the circumstances.
Create a Plan to Handle Unforeseen Circumstances
The only way to get different results in your life is to learn something new and implement action steps. If you have struggled to feel Christ’s peace or rest, write down how you have handled your challenges, trials, or crisis in the past. Be honest and include any thoughts, emotions, or experiences that have influenced your past choices and actions. Once you have this information, pray about your past choices and ask God to show you his instructions in his word.
After you’ve prayed, go to a study Bible or the Internet and look up the opposite words from your past thoughts, emotions, and actions that have not brought you peace and rest. For example, you may be challenged with anxiety or worry. Look up the words “anxiety,” “worry, or “stress” and see what God has to say about those things. When you find verses that address your peace and rest, write them down and proclaim them aloud when a circumstance ignites an un-peaceful thought or emotion.
Jesus came to show us how to live in God’s peace and rest, and he defeated the devil by quoting God’s word aloud. Before he left this earth, Jesus also gave us his peace inside of us through the Holy Spirit. It’s time for Christ’s disciples to use the tools and his strength in us to thrive in his peace!
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. (Psa. 62:1, NIV)
