There are days I find myself grappling for a sense of peace. It sometimes eludes me.
I want to be a peaceful wife and mother. I want to be the kind of friend who exudes peace and whose home is filled with it.
But in this season of life everything seems to be working against me. Life feels in limbo, jobs up in the air, and sickness has invaded our home. My precious little boys are full of energy and life with no regard for cleanliness, order, or sleep.
Yet, peace is here through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is available and powerful amidst it all.
Some days I have to change my perception of what peace looks like.
Peace I leave with you;
My peace I give to you
I do not give to you as the world gives.
To find real peace, I must understand what peace is and what it is not.
It is not a peace that the world promises: a sense of control wrapped up in myself, or a feeling that I’ve arrived or have it all together. I will not find it in a clean home or folded laundry. I won’t find peace in well-behaved children or a certain parenting method. Because:
…to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Peace is where the Spirit of God dwells.
Peace is given by the Spirit of God alone.
Peace is not something the world has to offer us, some finally-accomplished alignment of circumstances that create a sense of comfort.
In Psalm 23 peace comes while walking through a most treacherous place -- the Valley of the Shadow of Death. But David finds peace because the Lord is with him. Throughout God’s word, peace is spoken of in the context of pain, war, unrest and trial.
Jesus’ life was not a walk in the park. Scripture says he was a man of many sorrows whose life ended, before his resurrection, in betrayal and murder.
To live as a peaceful wife, mother and friend requires (1) recognition of my need for the Spirit of God, and (2) a request for his presence, even in the midst of the everyday chaos. His peace, true peace - really does “surpass all understanding.” It has an indescribable power to “guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.”
When I set my mind on the Spirit and stop trying to gain a sense of peace from my life circumstances, there in the Spirit is peace.
Heavenly Father,
May your indescribable and supernatural peace rest upon us as we mother today, by the power of your Spirit alone.
May my children have a greater understanding of who you are by the peace they see reflected in their mother.
Lord, I cannot be peaceful without you. I don’t have the strength. Show me how to trust you, decreasing in pride and anxiety, increasing in faith and peace.
We thank you, Father that you have promised us this gift.
In your perfect Son’s name we pray, Amen.
Scripture referenced:
John 14:27, Romans 8:6, Philippians 4:
About Katy Rose
