Peace is Our Inheritance

Many have struggled with anxiety and depression for a long time and wonder if there is any hope for them. I want you to know that there absolutely is hope to overcome mental oppression. Jesus not only paid the price for the complete and total healing of our bodies. He also paid the price for the peace of our minds.

Isaiah 53:5 from the Amplified Classic says,

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.

Notice that Jesus was chastised—it was necessary to obtain peace and well-being for us. In the same way that Jesus paid the price for our sins and our diseases, He paid the price for anxiety and depression! And the same way that we receive forgiveness and healing, we also receive our peace and well-being. BY FAITH!

In last week’s blog, we discussed the fact that our mental health effects our physical health. Medical science tells us that about 80% of all illness stems from poor mental health. And one of the primary hindrances to receiving divine healing is WORRY—a form of anxiety and fear.

Peace in life is everything! Jesus knows this to be true. He said in John 14:27,

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Thank God Jesus gave us HIS peace! If we have made Jesus our Lord and Savior, we legally have His peace just as much as we have healing and health.

When a person close to us dies, we often find out if they left us any inheritance. In the same way, Jesus left us an inheritance. And part of that inheritance is His peace.

It’s important to note that Jesus talked about two types of peace in the passage we read.

1.     There is the peace that Jesus gives.

2.     There is the peace the world gives.

The peace the world offers is a “feeling” of security based on favorable circumstances. As long as everything is going our way—we have enough money, we are healthy, or there are no conflicts in our lives—we “feel” at peace.

The problem with this peace is that it is fragile and fleeting. As soon as a circumstance changes for the worse, the peace goes away and anxiety and worry rush in to fill the void. The world doesn’t have any lasting peace to offer us. Satan only offers an illusion of peace, that will always leave us with disappointment.

If you want true, lasting peace, you won’t find it in this world. Apart from Jesus, Satan will steal, kill, and destroy anything good in your life. But thank God there is another kind of peace available to us when we are born again—the peace Jesus offers. His peace will keep us calm and content regardless of the circumstances.

You may be wondering, “If I have the peace of God, why do I feel so troubled?” The reason so many believers are not experiencing God’s peace is because the enemy has stolen their peace by manipulating their emotions. The fact is you will feel many different emotions throughout your lifetime, and your feelings are attached to your thoughts.

Satan’s primary target is your mind. His strategy is to suggest a troubling thought to you and accompany that thought with a feeling, which makes it seem real.

For example, here’s one he has tried with all of us. He will interject a thought into your mind that says, “I’m worthless.” Along with that thought, he will attach a sinking feeling of condemnation and guilt. He will almost always bring up a past failure.

If you don’t know who you are in Christ, you will surrender your peace. Here is a very important point. It’s vital for us to know God’s Word so that we quickly recognize the lies of the devil and cast them down.

The way we really get to know the Word of God is by renewing our minds to think God’s thoughts. Romans 12:2 says,

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Here is how it’s done:

1.     Find scriptures that pertain to whatever you are tempted to be fearful about.

2.     Meditate upon those scriptures day and night.

3.     When thoughts come to your mind that contradict God’s Word, speak the Word only, not the negative thoughts.

Your renewed mind will recognize and reject ungodly and fearful thoughts, like the thought of worthlessness we talked about earlier.

It will also reject thoughts of living with disease the rest of your life, or thoughts of premature death. Rejecting unscriptural thoughts is FAITH in action. And faith in God’s Word keeps us in the perfect peace that we inherited from Jesus our Lord.

(I’ve been teaching out of my new book, UNTROUBLED: Conquering Anxiety, Fear and Depression. This book will truly help you to live a life that is untroubled. Click here to purchase on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DDse08)

If you're in the Aurora/Naperville area and are looking for a church that teaches the uncompromising Word of God, we invite you to visit Abundant Life Family Church. As a Word and Spirit church, we are committed to helping believers grow in faith, experience the power of God, and walk in His promises. Our services are filled with dynamic worship, Bible-based teaching, and an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit moves. Whether you’re searching for a church home or seeking a deeper relationship with God, we welcome you to join us and be part of a thriving community of faith!