How Faith Brings Inner Peace Pt. 2

We live in a world that offers countless promises of peace. From self-care routines to mindfulness apps, we’re bombarded with messages that claim they hold the key to calmness. Yet, these methods often feel like temporary fixes. It’s like patching up a leaking roof when what we really need is a complete renovation. The peace Jesus offers, on the other hand, is different—it’s not a fleeting feeling, but a transformative presence that anchors us in even the most turbulent times.

Imagine being in the middle of a storm. The wind is howling, waves are crashing, and it feels like your boat could tip over at any moment. Yet in the middle of that storm, you find a deep sense of calm, as though a protective barrier surrounds you. This is the kind of peace Jesus offers—one that’s not dependent on external circumstances but that flows from within. In John 14:27, Jesus says, “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.” His peace is a gift, unlike anything the world can provide. It doesn’t waver with the stock market, the latest news cycle, or the next crisis at work.

How do we actually experience this peace? It begins with trust. When we surrender control of our lives to Jesus and trust Him with the outcomes, we step into a deeper kind of rest. Consider Peter’s story when he walked on water (Matthew 14:22-33). As long as his eyes were fixed on Jesus, he stayed above the waves. But the moment he looked at the storm around him, fear took over, and he began to sink. In the same way, we often sink into worry and anxiety when our focus shifts from Christ to the chaos around us. But when we trust Jesus—keeping our gaze locked on Him—we find that His peace sustains us, no matter what storms rage around us.

This peace doesn’t just come from a private relationship with Jesus; it’s something we experience together in community. Being part of a church family provides support, encouragement, and accountability as we journey toward peace. When we gather with other believers, whether in small groups or Sunday services, we’re reminded that we’re not alone. In Hebrews 10:24-25, we’re encouraged to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” and “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing.” By staying connected to others who are also pursuing Christ’s peace, we strengthen our own faith and find reassurance in difficult times.

As we look around at the chaos in the world today—whether it’s the stress of work, the noise of social media, or the strain in our relationships—it’s easy to feel like peace is out of reach. But the truth is, peace isn’t something we have to chase after. Jesus offers us His peace freely, and it’s a peace that’s not based on the absence of problems but on His unchanging presence with us in the midst of them.

Think about the disciples in the boat with Jesus during a raging storm (Mark 4:35-41). The wind was howling, waves were crashing, and they feared for their lives. But Jesus? He was fast asleep, completely at peace. When the disciples woke Him, terrified, He simply stood up and commanded the wind and the waves to be still—and they obeyed. “Who is this,” they wondered, “that even the wind and the waves obey Him?” That’s the kind of peace Jesus offers us—a peace that calms the storms within us, even when the storm outside is still raging.

This is the peace He extends to each of us today. It’s not found in striving or achieving; it’s found in surrender. By trusting in His love and resting in His promises, we can experience a peace that transcends all understanding—a peace that no job loss, no argument, no personal failure can take away. And as we experience this peace, we become beacons of light in a world that desperately needs hope.

So, what would your life look like if you stopped trying to control every outcome and instead invited Jesus to be your source of peace? What if you allowed His peace to fill your heart each day, no matter what chaos swirls around you? Imagine waking up in the morning with a quiet confidence, knowing that no matter what the day holds, you are held by a God who promises peace.

I invite you to take that first step toward experiencing this peace for yourself. Start by talking to Jesus, letting Him know the areas of your life where you need His calm presence. Then, consider joining a local church community (ex: Jubilee), where you can walk alongside others who are also discovering the peace that only Christ can give. Whether through prayer, Bible study, or simply showing up for a gathering, you’ll find that peace becomes more tangible when shared in the company of fellow believers.

Because at the end of the day, real peace isn’t found in the absence of problems—it’s found in the presence of Jesus.