What does the Bible say about Peace in Hard Times? (2023)

The Bible is full of instructions on how to find peace in hard times. It is often a balancing act between God’s will and our own free will. We may feel the presence of God in difficult times, even when He is nowhere to be found.

What does the Bible say about Peace in Hard Times?

In fact, the Bible reminds us in the book of Romans 12:18 that “if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” It is during the tough moments in our life that we need to focus on God’s promises of peace, comfort and hope.

The Bible expresses many ways to find peace in tough times. The book of Philippians shows us how to be aware of our environment and actively pursue peace. We can focus on giving peace to others and create a culture of respect and understanding. We can pray to God for peace and seek His comfort. We can read through the Bible and remember that it was written specifically for hard times; God’s promises of peace, joy and hope continually speak to our hearts.

The New Testament also offers many words of peace and assurance. Jesus Christ said in the book of John 16:33, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” This passage reassures us that God has not left us; He is always with us, providing a source of peace and hope when we need help finding it.

The Old Testament contains many stories of finding peace in our darkest moments. We can look to the book of Job to see how Job was able to find peace in his suffering. Job suffered greatly, yet in the end, he was able to remain faithful to God and find a source of comfort and peace. In Isaiah 26:3, God promises that He will keep in perfect peace those whose mind is stayed on Him.

The Bible also reminds us that peace is a gift from God. We can trust in Him and receive the peace that comes through Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This peace allows us to move forward with hope and joy, even in hard times.

As believers, it is important to remember that when life becomes difficult, the best thing we can do is to turn to God and look for His peace. Only with God can we find true peace, joy and hope. He is the only one who can bring us solace in the worst of times and help us persevere.

Reaching Out in Hard Times

In times of hardship or trial, it’s important to reach out and seek help and emotional support from others. Reaches out to family and friends who can provide a listening ear or prayerful support in your time of need. We’re never meant to go through the hard times alone, and even if we may do so for a period of time, it’s important to turn to others and to God for help and hope.

God created us with a need for companionship and comfort, and these needs aren’t nullified during difficult times. Relying on the strength and connection of family and friends can be a great source of encouragement and comfort. Similarly, being a source of comfort and hope for a friend or family member who may be going through a hard time can be a powerful way to restore peace and to be a blessing in someone’s life.

The Bible provides many stories of individuals who sought help from those around them during hard times. In the book of Esther, Mordecai encourages Esther to approach the king to save her people from destruction, though she is afraid. We can learn from her example that it’s often important to rely on the support of those around us in difficult times, and reach out for the encouragement and help we need.

Similarly, in John 11, when Lazarus dies, we see how Jesus turns to His friends for support before performing the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection. Thus, even Jesus, whom the Bible tells us is the great source of hope and strength in our lives, turns to those around Him when life becomes difficult.

Reaching out to those close to us in hard times is an important way to build relationships and to experience peace. However, we must also remember to take the time to rest and to process our feelings. It’s okay to be still and remain in prayer during hard times. In Psalm 37:7, God encourages us to “Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” God provides us with a peace that passes all understanding in times of trial, and it’s important to be still and wait upon Him as we face the hard times in our life.

Reflecting on the Source of Our Peace

When times are hard, it’s important to take the time to step back and think about the source of our peace: God. We can find peace in Him regardless of our current circumstances and state of life. While the world may be shaking and life may seem overwhelming, God remains our refuge and our strength.

We’re encouraged in Scripture to turn to God for peace, rather than fear or worry. In Isaiah 26:3 the Bible tells us that “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Keeping our eyes upon God and trusting in His provision is an important tool for finding peace in challenging times.

Focusing on God also shifts our perspective away from ourselves and our problems. It allows us to see and understand circumstances in the light of God’s love and His infinite hope and knowledge. In 2 Corinthians 4:18, Paul encourages us to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Taking the time to remember the eternal promises of God can help us to find peace in hard times.

When we’re going through hard times, it can be easy to forget the source of our peace. It’s important that we take time out of our day-to-day routines to reflect on the promises of God and on His power to bring good out of all the struggles we face. Asking God for the peace that He promises us in Scripture can help us to find solace in times of trial.

Seeking Jesus In Hard Times

When we face hard times, it’s all too easy to forget that Jesus is right there beside us. He provides us with a haven of peace in the midst of our storms, if we are willing to seek Him. In Mattew 11:28-29, Jesus invites us to “come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” This promise of rest and peace is available to us when things are hard.

Seeking Jesus in hard times can be challenging. In 2 Corinthians 4: 8 Paul writes that, “we are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” He guarantees that even when life is trying and confusing, Jesus will be with us as we go through it.

Another way to seek Jesus in hard times is to serve others in His name. Acts 4:34 tells us that, “There was no one needy among them,” so where was all their peace, joy and contentment coming from? We can imitate this attitude by offering our time and resources to those in need. Service is a great way to get our eyes off of our own problems and focus our attention on Jesus.

We are never expected to go through hard times alone. Jesus is always with us, and He always provides us with hope and peace in our struggles. We must remember this and boldly seek Him and His peace when life becomes difficult.

Conclusion

The Bible is full of promises, advice, and examples that can help us find peace in hard times. Through prayer, scripture, reaching out to those around us, reflecting on the source of our peace, and seeking Jesus in hard times, we can experience God’s comfort and strength. It is in these moments of struggle that we can refocus on God’s infinite love and rely on Him as the source of our peace.