The Journey of Inner Peace

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

-Philippians 4:7

Peace. It’s a word we hear often, especially this time of year. We see it on holiday cards, hear it in songs, and long for it in our hearts. But for many, peace feels elusive—a fleeting moment, easily shattered by the noise and demands of life.

I used to believe peace was something I had to create. If I could just fix the chaos around me, silence the doubts in my mind, or achieve some version of “perfect,” then maybe I’d find it. But life doesn’t work that way. The more I chased peace externally, the further away it seemed.

It wasn’t until I faced some of my deepest struggles—addiction, trauma, and illness—that I began to understand peace differently. I realized peace isn’t the absence of chaos. It’s the presence of God. It’s not about controlling life but about trusting the One who holds it all.

What Does It Mean to Have Peace That Transcends Understanding?
The peace Paul speaks of in Philippians isn’t logical. It doesn’t depend on circumstances or make sense to the world. It’s a gift from God, guarding your heart and mind even when life feels like it’s falling apart.

I’ve felt this peace in moments I least expected—sitting in a hospital room, unsure of what the future held; standing at a crossroads in sobriety, unsure if I had the strength to keep going. It wasn’t that the challenges disappeared. It was that I felt held, anchored in something greater than myself.

Finding Peace in a Noisy World
We live in a world that thrives on noise. Social media, endless notifications, and the pressure to always be “on” can drown out the still, small voice of God. Finding peace requires intentionality. It’s about creating space for the sacred in the midst of the ordinary.

Here are a few ways to cultivate inner peace:

1. Create a Sacred Pause: Take five minutes each day to sit in silence, breathe deeply, and invite God into the moment.
2. Focus on What You Can Control: Release the need to fix everything and focus on what’s in your hands today.
3. Seek God’s Presence: Whether through prayer, scripture, or simply sitting in nature, allow yourself to feel the nearness of God.

Ask Yourself:

• What is stealing my peace right now?
• How can I invite God into the parts of my life that feel chaotic?

An Invitation to Peace
Peace isn’t something we earn; it’s something we receive. It’s the quiet assurance that God is with us, even in the storms. This season, as life speeds up and the demands pile on, let’s choose to slow down. Let’s choose to seek the peace that surpasses understanding, trusting that it will guard our hearts and minds.

Today, take a step on the journey of inner peace. It’s not about having everything figured out. It’s about knowing you don’t have to—not when God’s peace is guarding you.