How can I have peace in times of trouble?
John 14:1, 27“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. . . . 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.”
The peace of Christ is experienced not only in the absence of trouble, but in the very midst of trouble.
Psalm 14:4-5Will those who do evil never learn? They eat up my people like bread and wouldn’t think of praying to the Lord. Terror will grip them, for God is with those who obey him.
Isaiah 41:13“For I hold you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.’”
Isaiah 43:2“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”
Mark 6:45-52Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.
Hebrews 13:5-6God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
We should remember that God is right there with us in the storms of life, and at the same time, sovereign over everything. He is not surprised or overwhelmed by anything. As a result, we do not have to endure the troubled waters of life alone, and the storms need not steal our peace. Our confidence in the face of difficult situations and human opposition is based on God’s presence with us.
Psalm 46:1God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
Matthew 11:28Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
1 Peter 5:7Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Peace, assurance, and rest come not from our efforts and activity, but in stillness before God.
Psalm 119:49-50, 52, 54, 92-93Remember your promise to me; it is my only hope. Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles. . . . I meditate on your age-old regulations; O Lord, they comfort me. . . . Your decrees have been the theme of my songs wherever I have lived. . . . If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery. I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life.
We can find peace amid trouble by turning our minds toward God’s promises and commands.
2 Corinthians 7:5-6When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus.
1 Thessalonians 3:7-8So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.
God often sends us peace and encouragement through other followers of Jesus.
Psalm 3:3You, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
Psalm 9:9, 12The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. . . . For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless. He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer.
Psalm 27:5He [the Lord] will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
Psalm 31:7, 9I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. . . . Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away.
Psalm 31:20You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues.
Psalm 32:7You are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.
Psalm 34:17, 19The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. . . . The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
Psalm 37:39The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble.
Psalm 91:15When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.
Psalm 94:22The Lord is my fortress; my God is the mighty rock where I hide.
Psalm 116:3-9Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Please, Lord, save me!” How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! The Lord protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me. Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me. He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. And so I walk in the Lord’s presence as I live here on earth!
Psalm 138:7Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me.
We can find peace as we read and pray through the book of Psalms. God hears our prayers and cares for us. In every trial, he is our hope. Although we do not know the details of everything he has planned for us, we join believers past and present in declaring our dependence on him and looking to him for deliverance.
