Here’s a true story. A retired couple found themselves greatly worried by the threat of nuclear war. So, they decided that their best course of action was to settle down in the place that was the least likely in all the world to be affected by war.

To determine where that place was, they undertook a serious study of the issue. They studied and traveled, studied and traveled, and then studied and traveled some more. Finally, they came to the conclusion that the remote Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic ocean, with their beautiful cliff-lined coasts and picturesque sheep farms, provided the answer. The couple then bought a home on one of the islands and moved there. This was in the early 1980s.

What they didn’t know was that a simmering, long-standing dispute between the United Kingdom and Argentina over who should have sovereign control of those Islands was about to come to a head. In April 2, 1982, Argentinian soldiers invaded the Islands, as well as other British territories in the South Atlantic, and took control of them as an occupying force. This act of aggression was followed a few weeks later by the United Kingdom sending soldiers to retake the Islands. The conflict soon became known as The Falkland Islands war.

The war lasted for 74 days and ended with Argentina surrendering and returning control of the Islands to the United Kingdom. The death toll was 649 Argentinian soldiers, 255 British soldiers, and 3 Falkland Island residents. No, the couple who had moved to the Islands weren’t among the deceased, but the Islands continued to be plagued for decades by the threat of over 100 landmines left over from the war. Paradise had clearly been lost.

The couple’s story can be offered as evidence that searching for a location of perfect peace in this world can be a very futile endeavor. That’s why we must learn to find inner peace wherever we are. And what is the best way to find inner peace? It is to have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. As Jesus Himself said to His followers:

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27, N.K.J.V.)

Concerning this peace that Jesus gives, Philippians 4:7 says that it passes all understanding and guards the Christian’s heart and mind. I have to say that I like the sound of that. A peace that can’t be fully understood on a human level? A peace that guards my heart? A peace that guards my mind? Yeah, put me down for all that. I’ll take the complete package.

Where are you living right now? Where are you working? Where are you going to school? Tell me, is it a safe zone that is free from all conflict and strife? If you are like most of us, it isn’t. Maybe everything isn’t perfect because certain people are driving you nuts, and the situation has you looking over the hill at grass that seems greener and more peaceful. If that describes you, just be warned that trouble travels. It can even find the once idyllic Falkland Islands. Therefore, the only real solution is to allow Jesus to give you peace in the midst of trouble. Anything less than that and you’ll be doing a lot of moving.