2 Thessalonians 1:2 says: Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Thessalonian church was going through great persecution for their faith in a pagan and vastly secular society.  Can we know grace and peace today in America?

Let me say that one cannot experience grace and peace unless one has or is going though a time of tribulation. It cannot be learned any other way. You can read about grace, but unless you experience it in a real life situation, you will not know the extent of God’s help and strength.

Unless you go through a trial or trials, you will never know what it means to have peace in your heart when everything outside is discouraging and full of chaos. God’s peace and grace are beyond understanding it through reading about it or talking to someone else about it. It can only be understood by being in the midst of the storm and seeing the storm clouds overhead and the winds at your face, beating you down and frightening you to the core.

No, you must be in the path of the storm, frightened by the potential pain and agony where you turn to God and plead for help. Then you will taste firsthand of His powerful peace, grace, and rest from your grief or troubles.

May God bless you for His glory.

Ken