When we know we’re doing something we shouldn’t, we can feel uncomfortable and guilty. We lose our peace of mind. And the longer we disobey God, the less peace we feel. This happened to Jonah. God had told Him to go to Nineveh and tell them that He wasn’t happy with the way they were living. But Jonah decided to head to Tarshish on a boat instead. It might have made Jonah feel better initially, but a storm soon started and His peace was taken away. Eventually he said: ‘Throw me into the sea…and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault’ (Jonah 1:12 NLT). Even though Jonah was doing what he wanted to do, he wasn’t at peace because he knew that he should be doing what God wanted him to do. Also his actions caused other people to lose their peace too. The storm came because of his disobedience, and it caused the sailors to be afraid. If we’re not doing what’s right, we can not only cause problems for ourselves, but we can also have a negative impact on those around us. If we want to experience peace, we need to be following God’s call on our lives. The Bible says: ‘Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.’ When we know what God wants us to do, and we obey Him, we experience ‘great peace’. This peace also comes from keeping our eyes fixed on God, no matter what our situation. In Isaiah we’re told, ‘You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!’ (Isaiah 26:3 NLT). When we’re completely surrendered to God, and focused on Him, we will experience His perfect peace. 

What Now?

Is there something you’re doing which you know isn’t right? Ask God to give you the strength to do the right thing instead.