Peace Begins and Ends with God

The main reason people are addicted to their drug of choice, chemical or otherwise, is they are without peace. They are trying to obtain it their way, and it is proven to be futile. The truth is it will ever be futile as long as they exclude God. The reason people exclude Him is they want to be their own god. They might deny it, but when you go to the heart of the matter, it is undeniable. Whoever, or whatever you hold in the highest esteem is either God, or it is a god.
Ironically, some believe if you’re not accountable for your actions, you will have a life of peace. One of the reasons people claim to be atheists is they don’t want to be accountable to anyone. Furthermore, the idea of not being accountable to Him is a form of self-deception.
Romans 14:11-12 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.   
Here’s where the irony comes into play, if one believes he is not accountable to God, he will never have peace. Why? Because he is failing to acknowledge God, and His sovereignty. Without that acknowledgment, he will never find forgiveness for his sin, which means the weight of it will always be there. The consequence is an endless cycle chasing peace through ways that actually add more sin. Thus, adding more weight.
Why do people rationalize bad thoughts, words and behavior? They are looking to justify of their iniquities. Without owning up to one’s failure, one will never be rid of it. Did you ever have a guilty conscience over a wrongdoing that would not leave until you came clean? Once the confession is made, guilt vaporizes. Until a person confesses his sin to God, it will remain.
1 John 1:8-9 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
You will never earn peace! Think about that for a moment. Peace can only be received; you cannot earn it. After receiving forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ, how can anyone expect to make up for a failure after becoming a Christian? Christianity 101 states we can only be saved by grace through faith, which means we cannot earn salvation, neither can we work it off (see Ephesians 2:8-9).
Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
It’s the relationship with God that keeps us in the state of peace, regardless of circumstances. As long as we base peace on the conditions in which we find ourselves, it will come and go. If we base it on our communion with Him, it will remain steady.
Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
One element of the fruit of the Spirit is peace (see Galatians 5:22-23), which means peace is a product of communion and submission to Him. We allow His peace to rule in our heart, which means exterior circumstances do not have any real bearing to walking in peace. Sure, things may happen to disrupt our peace, but we can jump right back into it by submitting to Holy Spirit. One might say, “It’s easier said than done,” but it can be done, and it gets easier as we continue to walk with Him, and renew our minds.

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