In John 14:27, Jesus promises His peace to the disciples. It is a wonderful peace because it is not a peace as the world would give it, but the kind of peace that can survive suffering and harassment. In John 16:33 Jesus talks about peace again: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.” Jesus is realistic about what would be going to happen to His disciples: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Every follower of Jesus will get acquainted with tribulation or affliction of some sort.
For some people it takes on the form of slandering. It is horrible when your good name is being slandered, and it’s especially painful when it is done by people who are close to you: family members, friends or neighbors.
Rest in Jesus’ assurance
When this happens to us, we can rest in Jesus’ assurance: “Take heart; I have overcome the world.” Our life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3); we are completely safe there as we are wrapped by the presence of our Savior and Creator. Jesus lives in us through the Holy Spirit and by this reality we have overcome those who do not know Christ, and we may rest assured that He who lives in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:2-4). Take time every day to bask in the presence of Your Lord and to let your soul be soaked by the peace He gives you. Read the Bible, meditate on it. Make a habit out of Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Pray
Pray for those people who make your life hard: “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). You will find that it is difficult to hate or feel resentment towards people you lift up before the throne of God. You will find that by praying for them, His peace will be poured out into your heart and it will not be leaking away because of what others try to do to you.