Jesus leaves peace with us. Its opposite is war. Before we knew God, we were at war with Him. Peace depends on our response to God. If we disobey Him and do things our way, ignoring His expectations we will be at war with God in our mind. So in order to have peace we need to obey and be in good relationship with our Creator. In Isaiah 48:18 we read that our peace depends on our submission to His will.

Peace does not mean the absence of turmoil but the presence of tranquility in the midst of chaos. We retain peace when we stay focused on God's unfailing guidance.

In John 14:27 we read, " Peace I leave 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." So we can never find peace in the things of the world. We need to look for the peace that Jesus gives. According to Romans 5:1 we have peace with God through Jesus Christ, since we have been justified through faith. Once we receive this assurance of intimacy with God through our faith, we can be peaceful.

While Jesus was on this earth, He brought calm into many troubled situations. In Luke: 8 we read that the disciples were caught in a storm. Jesus calmed the sea. Here Jesus changed the situation. Jesus can make us peaceful in the midst of raging storm outside.He changes either the external situation or our inner state of mind, so that our innermost peace is not shattered.

In Luke 8:35 Jesus brought peace in the life of Legion. First we read about situational transformation resulting in peace. Here we observe mental transformation of a person possessed by demons. This man lived among the tombs and was causing trouble to many. There are cases of people who live in a stage of oppression or obsession. Then they glide into the second phase in their mental deterioration which can be termed as depression. In the final stage, devils take possession of all their faculty. This Legion was under the power of the devils. When he met Jesus he was healed.

In our situations also, we go through stress, trauma and confusion. They can create havoc to our mental process and totally take us to the state of depression if not carefully handled. Jesus can give us peace.

In Luke 8:48 we read about the healing of 12 year old child. Peace was lost because of physical disability. In the midst of physical problems Jesus can bring peace either by healing us immediately or gradually or by giving us the power to endure.

"We may be affected emotionally, mentally or physically but our God can keep us blessed by His peace.

Dr. (Mrs.) Edriana Jeyasingh