Walking with God through Pain and Suffering

by Timothy J. Keller

What is this “peace of God”? There are two things Paul tells us about it. First, it is an inner calm and equilibrium. In verses 11–12 he says, “I have learned how to be content in whatever circumstance; I have learned the secret of being content in every situation,” which is to say he is the same in one situation as in another. Realize how strong a claim this is. Remember Paul’s circumstances. We all want inner peace, but you and I are trying to get inner peace to face what? Our bills, competition at work, a difficult boss, our big date or a lack of dates. But Paul was facing torture and death. He is in prison even as he writes, and yet he is saying, “I have learned the secret of being able to smile at that.” And look carefully. Does Paul say, “I can smile in the face of torture and death because I am just that kind of guy, I am tough”? No. That would be a peace that was just a natural kind of steely temperament. It would be a talent—and talent is something that you are born with or you aren’t. It is like artistic or athletic talent—either you have it or you do not. But Paul does not say that. He says, “I have learned this.” It means it is not natural to him. And the particular kind of inner peace of which he speaks is not natural to any of the rest of us either. He is saying, “I have learned it, so that I have this equilibrium in any situation.” The second thing Paul tells us is that this peace is not merely an absence—it is a presence. It is not just an absence of fear. ...