In his book, 10 Natural Laws of Time and Life Management, Hyrum W. Smith recounts an exchange with one of his seminar attendees during a break.
“You know, Hyrum, the stuff you’re teaching comes right out of the Bible.”
At first, Smith thought the man might be offended. Upon discovering that he wasn’t, Smith volunteered to share his personal convictions.
“Well, in the seminar we teach that we must bring together two elements to experience inner peace. One of those elements is identifying governing values—what really matters to us. The other is bringing our performance, or event control, if you will, into alignment with those values. When those two line up, we experience inner peace.”
Then Smith added a third element essential for ultimate inner peace: absolute moral truth. “When we bring our values in line with moral truth and then bring our performance in line with that, we will experience the ultimate kind of inner peace.”
That insight is decidedly biblical.
Smith’s observation echoes Paul’s words in Colossians 3:15, where we find this simple yet powerful admonition:
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is the provider of peace. At His birth, the angels proclaimed, “Peace on earth.” Yet Jesus did not come to establish political peace or to end wars among nations. He came to bring peace to the human heart—spiritual peace, peace within, and peace with God.
To enjoy this ultimate peace, we must allow the Lord of peace to rule in our hearts. He is the way to peace. He is the One in whom absolute truth resides. And He alone can abundantly enrich our lives.
When the peace of Christ rules our hearts, He reigns within us. He is in control. He directs our thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and actions. He stands at the center of our relationships—in the home, in the church, and in our social circles.
In Smith’s terms, our values are now aligned with absolute truth, and our performance—our Christian walk—matches what we profess. Indeed, that kind of life produces peace.
If this is so, it raises an uncomfortable question: Why are there seemingly so many unhappy Christians?
Could it be that some who profess faith are not allowing Christ to rule in their hearts? That their values are not truly aligned with absolute truth? Or that they are simply not living out what they believe and know to be right? In such cases, peace cannot prevail. Instead, inner conflict reigns. Confusion abounds. And turmoil ensues.
When our hearts are filled with fear, multiplied by worry and divided by doubt, there will be no peace—only discord, distress, and disharmony.
We are called by the Prince of Peace to a life of spiritual peace within His one body. That calling should make us grateful. And in that relationship, we are invited to enjoy divine reconciliation that soothes the soul.
“(May) the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7).
—Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
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