Embracing Peace: Acceptance and God's Love

 

Summary

In today's discussion, we delved into the profound and multifaceted concept of peace, drawing insights from Dallas Willard's "Renovation of the Heart." Peace, as we explored, is not merely the absence of conflict but a deep-seated assurance about how things will turn out, an active engagement with the good, and a release from striving for specific outcomes. This peace is not passive; it is a dynamic state of being that involves accepting God's gift and the reality of our circumstances.

We reflected on how peace is often misunderstood or oversimplified, especially within the church context. The ritual of passing the peace, for instance, can feel awkward or superficial, yet it symbolizes a deeper call to be at peace with others and ourselves. True peace involves a journey of acceptance—accepting what is beyond our control and embracing our emotions, whether they are deemed 'good' or 'bad.' This acceptance is not about resignation but about acknowledging reality and finding a strange sort of peace within it.

Laura shared personal insights on how peace is a layered journey, particularly when dealing with loss or anxiety. The struggle to create peace through effort alone can lead to feelings of isolation and failure. Instead, peace emerges from accepting God's love and the reality of our circumstances, even when they are painful. This acceptance allows us to live with our emotions and circumstances, rather than resisting them.

We also touched on the vulnerability required to achieve peace, as highlighted by Stanley Hauerwas. Recognizing our capacity for violence or unrest can lead us to a deeper understanding of peace, both personally and globally. For those struggling with peace, it's important to remember that God is more concerned with us receiving His love than getting everything right. Embracing our fears and worries, rather than pushing them away, can open the door to true peace.

Key Takeaways:

- Peace is an active engagement with the good and a release from striving for specific outcomes. It involves a deep assurance about how things will turn out, rooted in trust and acceptance of God's gift. [02:34]

- True peace requires acceptance of our circumstances and emotions. By acknowledging what we cannot control and embracing our feelings, we can find a strange sort of peace within ourselves. [07:45]

- The journey to peace is layered and involves vulnerability. Recognizing our capacity for unrest can lead to a deeper understanding of peace, both personally and globally. [08:45]

- Striving for peace through effort alone can lead to isolation. Instead, peace emerges from accepting God's love and the reality of our circumstances, even when they are painful. [06:31]

- God is more concerned with us receiving His love than getting everything right. Embracing our fears and worries, rather than resisting them, can open the door to true peace. [09:58]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:57] - Introduction
[01:23] - Discussing Dallas Willard's Wisdom
[01:48] - Exploring the Concept of Peace
[02:17] - The Nature of True Peace
[03:11] - Common Burdens and Concerns
[04:19] - Attaining Peace with God and Others
[05:06] - Layers of Peace
[06:11] - The Role of Acceptance
[07:09] - Personal Reflections on Loss
[08:01] - Embracing Emotions
[08:45] - Vulnerability and Peace
[09:16] - Advice for Those Struggling with Peace
[10:10] - Receiving God's Love
[10:31] - Welcoming Fear and Worry
[10:46] - Closing Remarks

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Understanding Peace

Bible Reading:
1. John 14:27 - "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."
2. Philippians 4:6-7 - "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."
3. Matthew 5:9 - "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."

Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, how does Dallas Willard describe peace in "Renovation of the Heart"? [02:34]
2. What are some common misconceptions about peace mentioned in the sermon? [04:54]
3. How does Laura describe her personal journey with peace, especially in relation to loss and anxiety? [07:09]
4. What role does vulnerability play in achieving peace, according to Stanley Hauerwas? [08:45]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the peace that Jesus offers in John 14:27 differ from the peace the world offers?
2. In Philippians 4:6-7, what is the relationship between prayer, thanksgiving, and the peace of God?
3. How might recognizing one's capacity for unrest or violence, as mentioned by Stanley Hauerwas, lead to a deeper understanding of peace? [08:45]
4. What does it mean to be a peacemaker in the context of Matthew 5:9, and how does this relate to the sermon’s discussion on peace with others and oneself?

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a situation in your life where you are striving for a specific outcome. How can you actively engage with the good and release the need for control in this situation? [02:34]
2. Consider a time when you felt isolated due to your efforts to create peace. How can accepting God's love and the reality of your circumstances change your approach? [06:31]
3. Identify an emotion you typically resist. How can you begin to embrace this emotion and find peace within it? [07:45]
4. Think about a relationship where you struggle to find peace. What steps can you take to be a peacemaker in this relationship, as encouraged in Matthew 5:9?
5. Reflect on a fear or worry you have been pushing away. How can you welcome this fear and invite peace into your life, as suggested in the sermon? [10:31]
6. How can you practice vulnerability in your daily life to deepen your understanding of peace, both personally and globally? [08:45]
7. Consider a recent decision you made. How did you discern whether it was aligned with God's will, and how can you trust God to make things right even if you're unsure? [09:44]

Devotional

Day 1: Engaging with the Good and Releasing Outcomes
Peace is not simply the absence of conflict but an active engagement with the good and a release from striving for specific outcomes. It involves a deep assurance about how things will turn out, rooted in trust and acceptance of God's gift. This kind of peace requires us to let go of our need to control every aspect of our lives and instead trust in the goodness and sovereignty of God. By doing so, we can find a sense of calm and assurance, knowing that we are in the hands of a loving Creator. [02:34]

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific outcome you are striving for that you can release to God today, trusting in His goodness and plan for your life?


Day 2: Acceptance of Circumstances and Emotions
True peace requires acceptance of our circumstances and emotions. By acknowledging what we cannot control and embracing our feelings, we can find a strange sort of peace within ourselves. This acceptance is not about resignation but about acknowledging reality and finding peace within it. It involves a journey of accepting what is beyond our control and embracing our emotions, whether they are deemed 'good' or 'bad.' [07:45]

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." (Philippians 4:11, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an emotion or circumstance you have been resisting. How can you begin to accept it today, trusting that God is with you in it?


Day 3: Vulnerability and Understanding Peace
The journey to peace is layered and involves vulnerability. Recognizing our capacity for unrest can lead to a deeper understanding of peace, both personally and globally. It requires us to be honest about our struggles and fears, acknowledging that peace is not a one-time achievement but a continual process of growth and understanding. By embracing vulnerability, we open ourselves to the transformative power of peace in our lives. [08:45]

"For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10b, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to embrace vulnerability to experience deeper peace? How can you take a step towards that vulnerability today?


Day 4: Accepting God's Love Amidst Pain
Striving for peace through effort alone can lead to isolation. Instead, peace emerges from accepting God's love and the reality of our circumstances, even when they are painful. This acceptance allows us to live with our emotions and circumstances, rather than resisting them. By accepting God's love, we can find peace even in the midst of pain and uncertainty, knowing that we are not alone. [06:31]

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18, ESV)

Reflection: How can you open your heart to receive God's love in a painful area of your life today?


Day 5: Embracing Fears and Worries
God is more concerned with us receiving His love than getting everything right. Embracing our fears and worries, rather than resisting them, can open the door to true peace. By acknowledging our fears and bringing them to God, we can experience His peace that surpasses all understanding. This peace is not about having all the answers but about trusting in God's presence and love in the midst of our uncertainties. [09:58]

"Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7, ESV)

Reflection: What fear or worry can you bring to God today, trusting in His care and love for you?

Quotes

"Peace is the rest of will that results from Assurance about how things will turn out. It is always a form of active engagement with the good plus assurance that things will turn out well. The dead are often spoken of as at peace but they are not at peace unless they're actually alive and doing well. You just say stuff that makes me chuckle sometimes I am at peace about it we say and this means I'm no longer striving inwardly or outwardly to save some outcome dear to me or to avoid one that I reject." [00:02:27]

"Most people carry heavy burdens of care usually about the things that are most important in life what will happen to their loved ones, their finances, Health, death, their physical appearances, or what others think of them, the future of society, they're standing before God and their Eternal Destiny that's quite a list to be at peace with God and others, Family labors co-workers is a great attainment and depends on graes Far Beyond ourselves as well as on our own efforts that is also true with being at peace with." [00:03:44]

"Thanks it's such a funny word in some ways because I think there are the layers that we hear if we grow up in the church or if you're around long enough you hear about um you know I'm part of a liturgical church and so every Sunday we we pass the peace to one another um and a lot of people hate that and I just might you too sometimes cuz it feels a little awkward and do you say hello just to the people that you know or do you greet the people that you don't know and are new and in Co it's even weirder." [00:04:37]

"There are layers to this that go um so deep and I think the more that we attribute this to effort Alone um the more isolating it is when I have felt in the past like I cannot create peace in my life and I felt like I have let God down uh when I have not been at peace and I think the place in the last few years um that Dallas talks about and then there's a bit that I'll share in a second that um Stanley Hower was talked about years ago in if that I love but when Dallas talks about peace comes from the acceptance of God's gift for us in his son." [00:06:04]

"There is a beauty to acceptance that I think can lead to peace because at its deepest when we start to accept what is true we start to realize that uh we cannot control it and so I think of um you know a situation with a friend um who recently lost someone that he really loved and this friend of mine is in pain and hurting and I've been the person in pain and hurting and um you can't reverse death and it's very hard to immediately be at peace um with death but if I can start to work to accept this is what happened I cannot change it." [00:06:51]

"I can live with it and in it and it's okay to feel all the emotions I'm feeling then a strange sort of piece starts to come into my body and so it's accepting those circumstances and then it's also accepting the emotions that we have I think um it's easy when you've grown up in the faith to feel like there are good emotions and there are bad emotions and um only certain of them lead to peace and so therefore the other ones I know I felt when I felt anxious I should reject and push them away or resist them push them away resist them get rid of them not talk about them." [00:07:39]

"Stanley hows mentioned in this interview years ago he was talking about peace in terms of pacifism and he said that he is a pacifist precisely because is a violent person and he knows his capacity for violence I don't think that means Stanley horos is going to go and punch people but you I mean you never know no you don't I've never been in his classes but um he talked about there's a vulnerability that you have to have before you can be at peace and I think that through line is what connects world peace and peace on a global scale what connects interpersonal peace and what connects to deep personal peace." [00:08:21]

"If somebody's watching this and uh it's even hard for them to hear the word peace cuz they feel like they're anxious worried and then feel guilty I must not have enough faith I must not trust God uh before we sign off what would you say to the person that struggles with peace I'm thinking now of um a little while ago I was talking with my therapist and she and I were talking about something I was doing and I was saying I just don't know if this is right if this is God's will for me what should I do and she kind of laughed at me which is actually helpful and she said maybe it's not maybe you just don't know and that's okay and you have to trust that." [00:09:00]

"God is going to be able to make things right and so that's not to say it's so easy but to say um I find that when I'm not at peace and I think this is true for a lot of people there's an inner obsession over what we should do, how peace should look how it does look when I look at someone else on the outside and I would say um it's almost never true almost everyone has some deep pain that they're not sharing that you may not see um and that maybe God is not as concerned that we get it right as he is with us receiving his love so the word for today is peace and as you go through your day um when fear and worry come don't push them away." [00:09:46]

"Don't uh try to resist them by willpower acknowledge them welcome Rick Blackman talks about welcoming one of his clients named anxiety Wilma welcome Wilma uh and invite peace or thank you very much for doing us would you do this again I would do this again thank you thanks friends be at peace hey if you enjoyed that video be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes from John orberg or become new you can also head to our website becom new.com where we have a bunch more resources you might be interested in like free downloads books and a library of videos for you to explore learning how to grow spiritually one day at a time." [00:10:25]

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Transcript
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