The Antidote for Anxiety and Depression: Trust in Abba Father’s Care – Pt 7
God’s Supernatural Peace
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you…
– John 14:27
In January 2017 I travelled to the USA for medical purposes. I had gone to the USA several times before for vacation and to spend time with my brothers and their families who reside there. This time however, I was detained by immigration when I arrived at JFK airport after four in the morning. I was taken to a room where I was interrogated like a criminal, photographed, fingerprinted, and my personal belongings searched. My cell phone was taken away and I was asked for the password for my social media accounts, then they searched my cell phone, went on my Facebook page and read my messages. Then I was told that I am not allowed into the USA, my visa was cancelled, and they booked me a flight for the evening of that day to return home. I remained in the room from after four in the morning until after five the evening when they were getting ready to take me to the airline to board the plane back home.
Usually, in circumstances like this, my first inclination would have been to worry, to get anxious and depressed, to be afraid, and a host of other negative emotions. My life had often been on a roller-coaster ride with emotions that were out of control.
This time, that was not the case. I had a peace that I myself didn’t understand. Instead of allowing my thoughts to run wild and my emotions to control me, I asked where the bathroom was, went it there and had a talk with God. I said, “God, if it’s not Your will for me to be in the USA at this time after reaching so far, then I am ok with it because it means that You have another plan, a better plan for my health and healing, since You work all things together for my good because I love You and I am the called according to Your purpose (Romans 8:28). However, if it is Your will for me to be here and this is some plan of the enemy to prevent me from being here, then I agree with the prayer by Dr Cindy Trimm and I declare and decree that every immigration law, legislation, or person here today will line up with Your will and plan for my life at this time and accommodate my presence here. For the earth is Yours and the fullness thereof, the world and all they that dwell in it (Psalm 24:1). And the heart of the king is in Your hand Lord (Proverbs 21:1-3). I thank You Lord in Jesus’ name. Amen!”
After, I returned to my seat and the “peace” of God kept me all through that day as I waited for evening to come to return home.
In the afternoon, the immigration staff changed and I found favour with one of the male Immigration Offers. Hence, I was allowed phone calls to communicate with my brothers. One of my brothers was able to take food for me and collect the things that I had taken for them because this Immigration Office facilitated it.
After five in the evening that day, as the Immigration Officers were preparing to take me and two others who were send back home to the airline, the Supervisor of staff on the shift told one of his Officers that they are sending back two persons and keeping one. He then called my name and I went to the desk. He told me that they are allowing me to enter the USA that it was unfair what was done to me that morning, and he apologized. He instructed the Immigration Officer to cancel the information that was filed on the computer records concerning me by the morning staff and to change it, as well as to destroy all the printed paper work on file. All of that was done in my presence. I called my brother to pick me up at the airport and I left there around after seven that evening when everything was reversed.
Friends, I had no idea what to expect that day. All I knew in my spirit was that God was working it out for me and He kept me with His supernatural “peace” all day.
In John 14:27 Jesus says “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you…”
The word “peace” used by Jesus in this verse is the Greek word eirene. This is a powerful, often-used word in the New Testament that defines tranquillity experienced after the cessation of war. It expresses the notion that the battle is completed; the war is ended; victory is attained; and it is time for tranquillity and rest.
The word eirene strongly suggest the rule of order in place of chaos, when a person is dominated by eirene (“peace”), he/she has a calm, inner stability that results in the ability to conduct him/herself peacefully, even in the midst of circumstances that would normally be very nerve-racking, traumatic, or upsetting.
The word eirene is the Greek counterpart for the Hebrew word shalom, which conveys the idea of wholeness, completeness, or tranquillity in the soul that is unaffected by outside situations or pressures. The Hebrew equivalent, the word shalom, indicates that this dominating peace ultimately gives rise to prosperity in one’s soul. Rather than permitting the hitches and stresses of life to break him/her, a person who is possessed by eirene (“peace”) is whole, complete, orderly, stable, and poised for blessing (Renner, 2003, 2016).
The Greek word eirene is the same word that Paul used in Philippians 4:7 where he said, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
This “peace” is not something that can be engendered by humanity, no matter how hard they try. It is the fruit of the Spirit. In Galatians 5:22, Paul listed this supernatural “peace” of God when he mentioned the fruit of the Spirit. He stated, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” Therefore, this “peace” only comes from God, The Prince of Peace, Your Jehovah Shalom. Friends, you need not ask for it because Jesus has already voluntarily given His peace that surpasses all understanding as a guard to your hearts, minds, and emotions. Grab a hold of God’ supernatural peace today!
Shalom!
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father I worship You today as the Prince of Peace and my Jehovah Shalom, the God who is my peace. I give You thanks for Your supernatural peace that rules my heart and mind even in the midst of difficulties. I declare today that I am possessed by God’s supernatural shalom peace which yields prosperity in my soul. Therefore I am whole, complete, orderly, stable and poised for blessing. I pray this by faith in Jesus’ name. Amen!
