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When Peace Departs: Part I
Bible study on peace.

Christians have been raised with Christ and seek those things in the heavenly places (Col. 2:1-4). And, for now, we live in a fleshly tent with all of life's associated heartaches. We find that the peace of God departs upon occasion - not because of God but because we fail to trust God.

In Mark 4:35-41 you will remember that the apostles and Jesus were in a boat crossing the sea. The evening had begun peacefully and Jesus was sleeping on a pillow. As a ferocious storm arose and waves beat into the boat, the apostles became fearful and awoke Jesus. After calming the sea Jesus asked: "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"

Notice the relationship between fear and faith. Why were these men fearful? Because of a lack of faith. Likewise fear enters us when our faith is weak, but fear is faraway when our faith is strong. Jesus says: "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows" (Matt. 10:28-31). Indeed, if the apostles had faith in Jesus to save them from a sinking boat, they would have been confident of salvation and not fearful of death - they would have been at peace.

Upon another occasion, the apostles were in a boat during a storm and see Jesus walking on the water (Matt. 14:22-33). Peter answered Jesus and said: "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to you on the water." Jesus said: "Come," and Peter steps out of the boat. Peter began to walk on the water but seeing the boisterous storm became afraid. After saving Peter, Jesus says: "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

From this story, notice the correlation between faith and doubt. Our faith becomes weak when we doubt the Lord. Transversely, a strong faith provides no room for doubt. By comparing both stories, we learn that doubt decreases our faith which is replaced by fear; henceforth, peace departs from our mind.

It is important to remember that one of the key reasons (and probably most frequent) that the peace of God departs from our mind is that we doubt God. Because of our doubt in God, our faith is weak and fear is strong; therefore, we are anxious, nervous, and filled with turmoil. Lord willing, we will investigate the restoration of peace in my next article. Until then, remember that God's peace is available to all; and the manner by which Christians may receive God's peace is revealed in His word.