Longing for Peace
November 29, 2025 — Laura House
In the beginning of my grief, peace was an elusive commodity. Can you relate? Often, we would lay still all night, not wanting to wake the other if they had actually gone to sleep, just hoping for the sun to rise so we could get up. While the sky was still dark, I remember often saying to Gary, Is it almost over yet? He had a clock on his side of the bed.
As I wrestled with “why” this happened, “what” we should’ve, could’ve, would’ve done differently, “peace” was not a word that described my experience. After returning home from work each night, I diligently investigated every lead that I thought might shine a light on why we lost Nathan. But at the end of all of my research, I still didn’t understand, and my weary soul longed for peace.
Not to say that I hadn’t experienced peace in this storm, I certainly had. Someday I’ll write about the incredible miracle of how God used three missionaries, who we didn’t know, to help bring Nathan’s earthly body home. How He gave us evidence of His presence before, at the time of, and after Nathan’s death. Yes, there were times of peace that “surpassed our understanding”, for sure.
But in the early months after the memorial services were over and we jumped back into work and the tasks of daily life, grief overtook my soul again and peace was not to be found.
Traveling this road for more than nine years now, I’ve learned more about peace.
If you look at the Greek words for peace in the New Testament, there are a few of them, each with a different meaning. When Jesus strongly commands the storm to “Be still”, there are two words used, 𝑠𝑖ō𝑝𝑎, which means to “be silent” and 𝑝𝑒𝑝ℎí𝑚ō𝑠𝑜, which literally means to “be muzzled like a wild beast.” The latter is the same strong word that Jesus used when He cast out demons. What an amazing picture to think of the fearful disciples panicking and Jesus commanding the storm to cease. I can definitely draw some parallels to my life.
However, let’s look at another word for “peace” that Jesus used multiple times and is really what I want to experience every day — 𝑒𝑖𝑟ē𝑛ē. Exploring the word in a Greek lexicon, I see that there are several meanings to this word when used in the Bible in various scenarios.
a state of national tranquillity
exemption from the rage and havoc of war
peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord
security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)
of the Messiah's peace
the way that leads to peace (salvation)
of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is
the blessed state of devout and upright men after death
For just a moment, let’s consider #5; “the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is.”
That is the peace I want to experience every day. It’s the kind of peace that is only found when I trust Jesus. It’s the kind of peace that doesn’t make sense in the middle of grief and suffering, but provides tranquility to my soul, a sense that I know God loves me and is in control — that He is carrying me and I don’t have to fear. It’s the peace that Jesus offers us.
In John 14:27, Jesus tells his disciples, “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”.
As you walk through this time of mourning and grief, or whatever other suffering you are experiencing, I hope you’ll choose to trust the only One who can truly comfort your broken heart.
And when you do, you’ll find peace.
