Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled: Reclaiming Peace

Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.

John 14:27

The country road is wet with rain this morning. Puddles shaped like hearts reflect the pale blue of dawn’s new mercies, and I’m thankful God chose to water the earth while we slept. As I gaze out the window and inhale deeply, I feel the tension in my shoulders. Life has been full here lately. I often catch myself wishing away the days as I wait for the season to shift.

This isn’t the way I want to live, praying for days to pass quickly and hoping for the next season.

When life is going well—when the kids are flourishing, the house is in order, writing feels fulfilling, and my relationships are thriving—it’s easy to have peace of mind.

On the contrary, when the kids are struggling in school, the house is a wreck, writing is frustrating, and my relationships are strained, peace often eludes me.

At this moment, as I watch the robins prance across the damp grass, I realize that I’m searching for peace in the wrong direction again. I’m grasping for the circumstantial peace that’s tied to comfort and ease; meanwhile, Peace is a Person, and he has promised never to leave me.

Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled

I begin my days sitting beside the window because looking at God’s created world quiets my mind and helps me connect with him. This space also reminds me that my peace is not found in pleasant circumstances. Jesus is my source of peace, even when every other part of my life feels chaotic and unsettled.

When Jesus is my peace, the house can be a mess, yet I’m not shaken by the disorder. My kids can be struggling, yet I am anchored to an unshakeable Rock. Our schedule can be overwhelming, yet my soul feels calm and quiet. Peace is found in the Person of Jesus, not in a different set of circumstances.

Peace is found in the Person of Jesus, not in a different set of circumstances. #peace #Jesuspeace #peaceofGod Share on X

Jesus is inviting us to experience his peace in new ways—ways that transform our lives. He is inviting you to create space for your mind to settle so that he can breathe new life into you.

I invite you to take a moment and meditate on the following Bible verses about God’s peace. God’s Word renews our minds. Spending time sitting with his Word helps us connect with his truth.

Bible Verses About the Peace of God

1. John 16:33 (NASB)

These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.

We all face troubled times in life.

Meanwhile, these trials aren’t the end of the story, and they don’t have to defeat us.

Jesus gives us all we need to persevere, and his greatest gift is his presence with us.

2. Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

When we feel anxious and worried, we can share our troubles with God while also finding reasons to thank him. In return, he promises to fill us with the peace that surpasses all human understanding.

3. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!

God wants us to experience lives of peace and rest in him. As we keep our eyes on him, peace follows. This leads to our next verse.

4. Isaiah 26:3

The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,
Because he trusts in You.

How do we find true, lasting peace? We ask God to help us grow in trust. Keep in mind that trust is built by walking through situations in which trusting God doesn’t come easily.

5. Psalm 4:8

In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, Lord, have me dwell in safety.

Does your mind ever spin as you try to rest at night? God wants you to rest in his peace. This is a powerful verse to memorize and speak when your heart is troubled in the night.

6. Psalm 34:14

Turn from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.

We also find peace by obeying God. When my life lacks peace, one question I always ask myself is, “Am I failing to obey God in any areas?”

7. Psalm 46:10

Stop striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth.

This verse is often translated, “Be still and know that I am God.” In the original language, the word for “be still” denotes letting our physical bodies relax, even letting our arms hang limp. When we stop trying to control the outcomes in every area of our lives, the peace of God follows.

8. Romans 8:6

For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.

Focus matters. When we focus on things of this world and problems, the fruit includes fear, worry, doubt, and the desire to control. However, when we set our minds on God, allowing his Spirit to guide us, we find life and peace.

Reflect

Do you have a sense of peace in your life right now, or do you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or burdened? What would it look like to release your heaviest burdens to Jesus, trust him to carry these burdens for you, and claim his peace in exchange?

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If this post blessed you, I invite you to explore our library of family devotionals and as well as our free eBook collection below. May you continue to experience the peace that surpasses understanding as you draw near to God.

Calling All Parents (and Grandparents)!

As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.

Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!

God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.

Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter

Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.

Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.

These Books Are Free on Kindle Unlimited: God Wants to Heal, Restore, and Refresh You

God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. He also wants to help you establish a rhythm of meeting with him daily as you trust him with the hard parts of your life. Click hereto explore two books that will guide you: Be Still and Trust and Lean Into Grace. They are free on the Kindle Unlimited program and for sale in print.

Download Your Free Devotional Here

Set Free: Let God Do What You Cannot explores ten realms in which most of us need God to work in our lives and bring deliverance. We’ll talk about finding freedom from fear, worry, insecurity, bad habits, emotional pain, and more. This short online devotional will bless you as you let God accomplish what you’ve been unable to achieve through willpower. Get your download for free with promo code GRACE or for a donation of 3.99 right here.

I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here!