“There cannot be a stressful crisis next week. My schedule is already full.” – Henry Kissinger
If you have ever felt that adding one more thing to your life is going to push you over the edge, you are not alone.
Many men are already feeling maxed out, which makes sense: Life is full, and we are juggling so many different things in our lives. With expanded expectations of work, family, finances, faith, and overall health, the pressure of these high-priority areas of our lives can make us feel overwhelmed, which disconnects us from any feeling of peace.
It’s not like we can quit everything and make all the stress of life go away; we still must live life with all its challenges and change.
I think this creates a huge tension for us, especially as men of faith, because we know the promises of peace that come from God’s Word, but we also know the real stresses of life, and they seem like they are in opposition to each other.
We often think that the absence of stress would mean the presence of peace. But what if it’s not supposed to be either/or?
What if we can have the life of peace God promises while still experiencing the stresses of everyday life?
We often think that the absence of stress would mean the presence of peace. But what if it’s not supposed to be either/or?
I think that it’s possible to have peace under pressure, but there’s only one way:
We must see peace as a Person, not a principle (John 16:33).
The pursuit of peace must exclusively focus on Jesus, who the Bible calls the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). If you’re not pursuing Him, you might be pursuing a peace that won’t last.
What makes the peace Jesus gives to men so important?
- Jesus’ peace is something this world can’t offer (John 14:27).
- Jesus’ peace surpasses all our understanding and guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7).
- Jesus’ peace can lead your life (Colossians 3:15).
- Jesus’ peace is lasting (Isaiah 26:3).
- Jesus’ peace is without limit (2 Peter 1:2).
What man doesn’t need this kind of peace?
So, what are some practical ways men can live in the peace of God amidst the pace of this world?
1) Stay connected to Jesus in a personal relationship.
The peace Jesus offers is available by continually connecting to Him. John 15:1-8 says if we stay connected to the Vine (Jesus), we will bear much fruit. The fruit that grows from a relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit is peace itself (see Galatians 5:22-23). What are you doing currently that’s keeping you connected to Jesus?
2) Activity must flow from identity, not the other way around.
We as men need to understand that while we find fulfillment in activities like working, serving, and worshipping, we don’t need to do those things to get God’s approval and acceptance. No performing is required; you are already a son of God through Jesus (Ephesians 1:4-6). So be active, work hard, and go ahead and do your best from this place of sonship, not for this place of sonship.
3) Prayer is the pathway to trust God and let go of control.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” In every stressful situation, bring it to God in prayer. Peace will come!
4) Discover God’s purpose and perspective.
Romans 8:28 (NIV) says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Having God’s perspective is crucial for having a mindset of peace in the stressful pace of life. If it’s not good, God’s not done!
5) Pause periodically from the busy paces of life.
In the busyness of a man’s life, take time to be still and know He is God (Psalm 46:10). As mentioned before, you can be peaceful and productive, but sometimes, as men, we just need to stop what we are doing for a break, not as a form of disengagement but rather a place of re-engagement, checking in to ensure your relationship with Jesus is strong.
A good rhythm that Pastor Rick Warren talks about is for us to take time to “divert daily, withdraw weekly, and abandon annually”—make sure you are resting each day, set aside a full day of rest each week, and once a year engage in some sort of vacation or retreat from the everyday. Start with a small time with Jesus every day, a larger time with Jesus every week, and an even larger time once a year.
We need models of men leading and living in God’s peace and not letting the pace and stresses of this world derail their faith and lives. You aren’t just helping you and your family, but also other guys around you, especially younger ones, who need examples of men living in peace every day, no matter what they’re facing.
Leonard Bernstein said once, “To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time.”
Men, we need a plan, and we only have a little time to do it. Maybe something great will happen if we intentionally pursue Jesus’ peace.
Leonard Bernstein said once, “To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time.”
Today is a great day to start that plan for peace. Don’t try to address all of these at once; just pick one or two to move forward with and look to add others over time. Some of them are going to take a while to get growing!
I know that if you implement these things, because of Jesus, peace will grow in your life. The stresses of this world, as the famous hymn declares, “will grow strangely dim.”
May His peace always shine brighter in the lives of men than anything this world brings!
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