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In the original Hebrew version ‘perfect peace’ was literally ‘shậlộm shậlộm’ or ‘peace peace’.

What is perfect peace? It is not a state without anxiety or where our life is easy and perfect, rather, it is something internal, namely contentment through trusting in the Lord. It is a gift from God. John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

The clue to this understanding is contained in how the prophet tells us perfect peace can be attained – by having our mind stayed on God. Our mind, or cognition, is the source of our free will thought and, as the arbiter of choice, the beginning of our words and deeds.

In this life we make many decisions that take us away from the source of peace. John 16: 33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” It is inherent in our nature to choose things other than God and so it must become a conscious choice to go against that nature. If we have the first step, our thinking, ‘stayed on God’ then godliness in words and actions can follow. This can be a great blessing in our lives. 1 Timothy 6: 6, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

From contentment to perfect peace, however, requires the added aspect of trust. Trust in the saving Grace of Jesus Christ to remove the separation of sin from our life, and trust in His promise to send a power within that helps us to make these right decisions. 1 John 4: 4, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

Of course, to be stayed on anything requires perseverance and sustained effort until the act becomes our automatic first thought. Practice brings perfection. Philippians 4: 7-9, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”