Chip Ingram - I Choose Peace: How to Quiet Your Heart in an Anxious World

J esus and His disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee in a small fishing boat one day when a violent storm swept over the water. Waves crashed over the side of the boat, and the disciples were terrified. They cried out to Jesus for help, but somehow, some way, He was still asleep in the stern. They were overwhelmed with fear for their lives; He was taking a nap. And when they woke Him up and accusingly asked, Dont you care if we drown? (Mark 4:38), He didnt thank them for alerting Him to the problem. He simply calmed the storm and asked why they were so faithless and afraid. In circumstances that would make most people panic, Jesus had astonishing, supernatural peace.

If you are a believer and follower of Jesus, you have peace too. Maybe thats news to you. Perhaps youve been struggling and straining to find peace in the midst of tumultuous circumstances and personal crises. Maybe, after discovering that being a Christian doesnt pluck anyone out of all lifes problems, youve wondered where that elusive peace is. You know its a promise in Scripture. You just dont know why you arent experiencing it. And you might argue with someone who tells you that you already have it.

But Im telling you anyway. You already have it. Jesus actually gave His peace to all His followers the night before His crucifixion. 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 (John 14:27). So you dont have the kind of peace the world tries to give. You have the peace that Jesus givesthe same peace He had that day in the back of the boat while a storm raged around Him.

So why dont all Christians experience this supernatural peace? Because we must willfully, purposefully choose to walk in the peace He gave us. It isnt automatic. Even though we already have it, we tend to pursue peace on the worlds terms. The world offers it to us if and when we are successful, accomplished, pretty, rich, famous, or secure. It holds out an ideal that most people can never attain, and those who do attain that find out it isnt all its cracked up to be. It promises peace but cant deliver. And in the process, it robs us of the peace weve already been given.

This book will help you overcome the various challenges and lies that rob us of Jesuss peace. We will discover the biblical truths and principles that allow us to experience deep, lasting peace in the midst of relational conflict, anxious moments, the brokenness of this world, difficult circumstances, a materialistic culture, tests of faith, and all the uncertain times we experience in the chaos of life. We will look at the theological basis for experiencing supernatural peace, but the focus is not on theory. Its on actually experiencing it. By the end of the book, you will have numerous practical steps you can take to experience the fullness of the peace Jesus has promised.