9 January 2025: Peace

John 14:27
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

The world offers many versions of peace—peace that comes from financial stability, good health, successful careers, or even a well-planned future. But the problem with this kind of peace is that it’s temporary. The moment something goes wrong, that peace is gone. However, the peace that Jesus gives is different. It is a deep, unshakable peace that remains even when life is uncertain.

I remember a time when anxiety consumed me. I was facing a season of great uncertainty, and my mind was constantly racing with "what-ifs." What if things never improved? What if I failed? What if I wasn’t strong enough to handle what was ahead? Night after night, I struggled to sleep, burdened by fear and doubt.

Then, one restless night, I came across John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." It felt as though Jesus Himself was speaking directly to me. He wasn’t offering peace based on my circumstances—He was offering me His peace, a peace that existed even in the middle of chaos.

That night, I closed my eyes and prayed, surrendering my fears to God. I asked Him to fill my heart with His peace. I didn’t receive an immediate solution to my problems, but something inside me changed. My heart calmed. The anxiety that had kept me awake for weeks began to fade. My situation didn’t magically resolve overnight, but my perspective did.

Maybe today you are struggling with anxiety, fear, or uncertainty. Maybe your heart feels troubled by situations beyond your control. If so, I encourage you to take a deep breath and hand it all over to God. His peace is not dependent on circumstances—it is rooted in His unchanging love and faithfulness.

This January, choose to rest in His peace. No matter what storms may come, trust that the One who calms the seas is holding you in His hands. You don’t have to carry the weight of worry alone. His peace is available to you, right here and right now.

Lord, fill my heart with Your peace. When anxiety tries to overwhelm me, remind me that You are in control. Help me to trust You in every situation and rest in the peace that only You can give. Amen.