How to Find Peace in a Hostile World

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." — John 16:33 (NKJV)

I try to stay away from the news. But if I tune out of "the world" for even a week, the shock is like watching the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrate over Texas. First, a few pieces break off and trail behind, then a few more in jagged streaks of white, until the catastrophic failure occurs.

Result? My anxiety level goes vertical, and I'm ready to buy a decommissioned ICBM site and become a prepper.

So, would you agree that the world is a hostile place? It seems evident to me, but I've thought World War III was imminent since I left the military 40 years ago.

Not to overwhelm your anxiety meter, but let me share three random "pieces" of evidence that our world is a hostile place and ready to come apart:

• In the USA: Nation on edge: Experts warn of 'vicious spiral' in political violence after Kirk killing (Reuters, Sept 10, 2025)

• In Europe: Sabotage shows how Russia's hostility toward Europe goes beyond Ukraine (NY Times, Aug 19, 2025)

• In Brazil: Organized crime and land conflicts drive worsening violence in Maranhão (ACLED, Sept 4, 2025)

You won't need to look far to find your own examples. It's no wonder people are stressed out and asking, "How can I find peace in a hostile world?"

Our Walk to Emmaus

Is this what the disciples experienced as they walked the road to Emmaus after Jesus was crucified? They must have seen similar pieces of their world coming apart. After all, they stood in disbelief as Jesus was nailed to the cross—the One they thought would save them. How much anxiety were they feeling? Peace must have been difficult to muster.

Aren't we experiencing something similar? Many put their faith in "the system," in government, in a new world order that now appears to melt like Salvador Dalí's painting, "The Persistence of Memory." The structure of time and institutions as we knew them is distorting, losing its shape.

What happened to the utopia the world promised? What happened to the promises of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?

What happened is we put our trust and faith in something that can't possibly assure us of peace in a hostile world. But if we can't find peace in the world, where can we find it?

The Revelation

Now, like Dalí's painting, the disciples' time and place in history melts into ours. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our brothers from 2,000 years ago. Suddenly, Jesus appears and shares His message with us all:

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." — John 16:33 (NKJV)

In a flash of clarity, we realize that finding peace in the world is an impossible task. Sure, some may work to eliminate nuclear weapons, protest wars in the Middle East, and take stands against injustice, but the hostility overpowers even the most committed. Burnout lurks around every corner, along with the next tragedy that shakes our foundation.

The problem with this approach to finding peace is the assumption that we are in control of the universe. We aren't. God is.

Jesus is telling us that only His peace—one of the qualities of the fruit of the Spirit—will provide us with the peace we are seeking. In good times, we can find peace in Him. In times of trouble and tribulation, peace remains within the believer because Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, is present with them.

With Jesus, "the peace that surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7) isn't contingent upon a hostile world living in harmony. It's not contingent on which political party or world leader is in office.

It is about accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. When we do, we realize we don't need to move to a decommissioned ICBM site, become a prepper, or shave our heads and become a monk in Nepal.

We can live our lives in peace right where we are, despite wars and rumors of wars. Our individual and collective anxiety becomes manageable rather than neurotic because we have a King who sits at the right hand of God.

We can find peace in the Lord, as the writer of Hebrews declared:

"So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'" — Hebrews 13:6 (NKJV)

Practical Application

All of us face a similar question: "How, exactly, do I find peace in a hostile world?"

The hostile world can be internal—how do I find peace when plagued with anxiety, depression, or guilt? How do I find peace when I've failed at work, at home, or throughout my life? How do I find peace when my health is declining or I've lost my job?

Regardless of the conditions that lead to a loss of peace, the answer is the same. We must turn to the Holy Spirit within.

This is crucial because peace, as a fruit of the Spirit, is a supernatural, not a natural, phenomenon. We can't simply engage in cognitive restructuring and find peace in a world spiraling out of control.

Once we become believers, we begin the process of sanctification. The closer we get to God, the closer He gets to us. That's why some believers appear detached from the world's chaos—they have faith that isn't dependent on anything other than Christ Jesus.

Living in His Peace

The peace Jesus offers isn't the absence of trouble—it's the presence of God in the midst of trouble. It's not about escaping the hostile world but about having an unshakeable foundation that world events, personal failures, or uncertain futures can't move.

This peace doesn't make us passive or indifferent. Instead, it frees us to engage with the world from a place of security rather than anxiety. We can work for "peace," serve others, and face challenges with confidence because our ultimate hope isn't in earthly outcomes but in Christ's victory.

When you feel that familiar anxiety rising as the world seems to disintegrate around you, remember: Jesus has already overcome this world. His peace is available to you right now, right where you are. You don't need perfect circumstances to experience perfect peace—you just need Jesus.