Two-minute read.
Driving in heavy traffic on the interstate with cars weaving in and out causes my anxiety to kick into high gear. Motorcycles roaring out of nowhere instantly raise my blood pressure. My hands tighten around the steering wheel, and frustration builds, making it easy to react in anger.
But then God.
When Christ rules our hearts, we will experience His peace, even while driving in heavy traffic. Remembering that Jesus died for that person who just cut me off in traffic helps me remain calm. God transforms our hearts as we trust in Him. Our circumstances don’t change, but the Lord steadies us in them. Focusing on the Savior protects our divine peace and helps us remain calm in the face of adversity.
In one of Paul’s prison epistles, He wrote to the believers in Colossae, encouraging them to remain rooted in Christ. Dealing with false teachers, Paul tells them to focus on God’s peace and let it rule their hearts, acting as a referee. When faced with difficult decisions, conflicts, fear, or uncertainty, allow the Savior’s peace, not our emotions, anxiety, or circumstances, to have the final say.
Christ’s peace doesn’t mean the absence of conflict, but the deep confidence that comes from knowing Jesus walks with you through it. The Lord doesn’t lose control; He always works for our good.
And as members of one body, God calls us to live in peace.
Which means that when I encounter an irresponsible driver on the interstate, I pray for them, asking for God’s protection over their reckless behavior. And I pray they know Jesus and love Him. A simple prayer allows me to remain in the Lord’s peace and not let a few moments on an interstate ruin my entire day. Protecting unity means forgiving quickly and speaking gently. When we choose humility over pride and listen before responding, we’ll unite people rather than separate them.
Lastly, Paul calls us to practice gratitude daily. As we shift our focus from what we don’t have to what we do have, we will realize that God has already provided all we need. No matter what the storm, the Lord supplies what we need to survive it. A thankful heart leads to a peaceful heart as we remember God’s faithfulness.
Peace requires courage and intentionality. Unity requires humility. And gratitude requires thankfulness. When we focus our eyes on Jesus, we have all the tools we need to let God’s peace rule our hearts.
Journal Questions:
What is disturbing your peace?
How can you invite God’s peace into this situation?
What are you grateful for today?
Stressbuster:
Spend ten minutes in quiet prayer.
