Inner Peace in a Troubled World

The central figure in the outworking of God's will will be Jesus Christ, and when people study the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses, they learn a lot about him.  The night he was born, angels say God's praises: "Glory in the heights above to God, and upon earth peace among men of goodwill." (Luke 2:14) 
(Note: By the way, Jesus Christ was not born on Christmas)  When Jesus grew up, he was concerned about improving people's lives. He understood their feelings and showed extraordinary compassion for the afflicted and the sick. And, in harmony with the words of the angels, he brought a measure of inner peace to the meek. At the end of his ministry, he said to his disciples:  "I leave you peace, I give you my peace. I do not give it to you the way the world gives it. Do not let your hearts be troubled nor let them shrink for fear."-John 14:27.

 Jesus was more than a humanitarian. He compared himself to a shepherd, and he likened his meek followers to sheep when he said:  "I have come so that they might have life and might have it in abundance. I am the fine shepherd; the fine shepherd surrenders his soul in behalf of the sheep." (John 10:10, 11) Yes, in contrast with so many leaders today who care first and foremost about themselves, Jesus gave his life for his sheep.

How can we benefit from what Jesus did?  Many are familiar with the words:  "God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) Exercising faith in Jesus requires, first of all, knowledge about him and his Father, Jehovah (personally) Knowledge of God and Jesus Christ can lead to an intimate relationship with Jehovah God that will help us attain peace of mind.

Jesus said: "My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them everlasting life, and they will by no means ever be destroyed, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." (John 10:27, 28) What warm, comforting words!  True, Jesus uttered them almost two thousand years ago, but they have as much force  now as they had back then. Never forget that Jesus Christ is still alive and active, ruling now as the enthroned King of God's heavenly Kingdom. Just as when he walked on earth those many years ago, he is till concerned about meek one who long  for peace of mind. Further, he is still the Shepherd of his sheep.  If we follow him, he will help us to gain inner peace, which includes a confident expectation of seeing in the future total peace-which will mean the absence of violence, war, and crime. 

Real benefits come from knowing and believing that Jehovah, through Jesus, will help us.  Remember Vania, who as a young girl left with heavy responsibilities and thought  that God had forgotten her?  Now Vania knows that God has not abandoned her. She says:  "I learned that God is a real person with endearing qualities. His love  moved him to send his Son to earth to give us life. It is very important to know this."

Marcelo testifies that his relationship with God is real.  This former party-goer comments: "Young people often do not know what to do, and they end up harming themselves.  Some get in involved in drug abuse, as I did. I hope that many more will be blessed , as I was, by learning the truth about God and his Son."  

Through a careful study of the Bible, Vania and Marcelo developed a strong faith in God and a confidence in his willingness to  help them handle their problems. If we do what they did-study the Bible and apply what it says-we will discover a large measure of inner peace, just as they did.  Then the encouragement of the apostle Paul will really apply in our case. "Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let your petitions by made know to God; and the peace of God that excels all thought will guard  your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6, 7. 

Next time: Finding Genuine Peace Today

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000