John 14:1 says, “Let not your heart be troubled, you believe…” A troubled heart is one that lacks peace. In verse 27 Jesus gave His peace to His disciples. Peace is an irrevocable gift. Nothing can take it away from us, but troubling thoughts can cover it over.

How do we maintain peace and keep it active through any and all of our circumstances? It is rooted in trust. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

A proud heart will not trust. When you find yourself unable to fully trust the Lord in your situation, check out your heart for pride. Strength to endure our trials comes from His grace. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble heart. His grace enables us by working His resurrection power in us.

Jesus endured the cross because of the joy that was set before Him. Have you ever considered that a proud heart does not experience joy? How can we have joy in the Lord when HE is the One resisting us?

Pride empowers us to do things in our own strength. Philippians 2:13 Amplified says, “(Not in your own strength) for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you (energizing and creating in you the power and desire), both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.”

Verse 14 shows how to defeat pride. It says, “Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining (against God) and questioning and doubting (among yourselves).”

There is no peace in our heart unless we choose to trust the Lord at all times. Peace, as well as joy is a fruit of the Spirit. It is a fruit that is borne in a heart that is submitted, guided, and controlled by the Holy Spirit. May His peace and joy rule in your heart today.