Peace is attained in the silence that comes when the heart stands still.

-Helen Steiner Rice

Most of our lives are spent chasing after dreams that truly never bring about long lasting joy and peace. Many spend moments looking for that magical place that will finally bring peace. The problem with this magical place is found within searching, that brings anxiety, stress, and a sense of failure. When we think “I’ll be happier when I get a better paying job; when I get mom moved into a nursing home; or when my husband quits treating me this way.”

Somehow the idea of something changing on the outside is suppose to give internal peace that will last forever. When we truly begin to seek peace in our life, this search needs to start from the inside of a person and not through the environment of that person. Christ spoke of peace in a very different way. “I leave you with peace; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world does. So don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27 NCV). The world gives peace by trying to change the outside. For example, if you had a faster, newer car you would be happy. If you had a motorcycle, boat or lake house, you would be happy. If your kids or wife just did what you wanted them to do, then you would be happy. If your boss would get off your case, then you could be happy. All of these worldly ways are only a temporary fix for a heart that is troubled.

Looking at the kind of peace that Christ gives, it comes from a place of strength knowing he loves you above and beyond and has actually chosen you as a place he likes to hang out. In the Biblical story of Daniel, he was sent to the lion’s den. I have always thought it would have been better if God had saved Daniel before he went to the den. Why did God wait until he was inthe den? I would imagine Daniel felt very nervous about going into the den of lions. He didn’t know God was going so send angels. He walked into the den with faith expecting to die. Without that strength from the internal source of faith, there is no way I’m going to the lion’s den. I have often wondered if Daniel slept while in the den. Did he have deep conversations with the angles? The angles were there; he didn’t have anything else to do. Peace enough to walk in to the lions den–that is the kind of peace Daniel had. Daniel came to the place of peace because he did not focus on the outside.

Daniel spent his time focusing on the inside relationship with Christ. Wherever your focus is there your heart will also be. We become whatever our focus is. If you focus on how unfair your boss is, then seemingly your boss becomes more unfair. If you focus on how irritated your are with your spouse, then the more they irritate you. When you change your focus to things that bring peace and joy, the more peace and joy you will have. “Brothers and Sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected . . . and the God who gives peace will be with you.” Philippians, 4:8-9 (NEV) If you don’t work through your own heart to find peace, you will continue to lose who you were created to be; thereby, losing the destiny of God’s design for you. Finding the real peace begins with you.