I’ve been thinking about peace quite a bit lately. I’m probably so obsessed with peace because my life is so wild. As I enjoy my very full life, I’ve been pausing and asking myself, “Am I feeling peaceful?” Ah. Such a great question.

According to the Apostle Paul, we’re “called to peace” (Colossians 3:15). Isn’t that phrase intriguing? Have you ever considered that a part of your calling is peace? It’s staggering to consider. God calls me and you to peace. As someone who can be a bit hyper at time, that phrase gives me pause. If it’s part of my calling, I need to take peace seriously. What does it look like to let the peace of Christ rule in my life so that I am living out the calling that God has placed on me? As I’ve been thinking on this, I’ve recognized a few key partners to peace:

Key #1 – Prayer is a partner to peace. When Paul calls us to a live of peace, he’s not calling us to be inauthentic. He’s not saying, “Pretend everything is great, and peace will guard your heart!” No. God is truth, and He calls us to deal with our anxieties with honesty. What remains in the dark can’t be healed. If we honestly pour out our hearts to Jesus, telling Him exactly how we feel, He can take our worries and exchange them for His grace. Prayer is where we do this. We cultivate honesty in our relationship with God, and we learn how to pour out our hearts before Him. In prayer, the Holy Spirit changes our hearts and transforms anxiety into peace.

Key #2 – Forgiveness is a partner to peace. When you’re holding anger and bitterness in your heart towards someone, you simply can’t experience peace. Instead, your mind engages in mental arguments, plots how to get even, and connives how to build walls so the other person can never hurt you again. When you forgive, peace enters and there is calm in the chaos.

Key #3 – Gratitude is a partner to peace. Cultivating a continual attitude of gratitude lowers blood pressure and quiets stomach ulcers. As we thank God for the beauty around us, for His goodness, and for the great gifts He gives us, our brain chemistry literally changes, and we’re much more able to dwell in peace (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Key #4 – Rest is a partner to peace. You can’t be governed by peace if you go nonstop 24/7. I know—I’ve tried! But rest is a part of God’s plan for our lives. It’s been suggested that in order to give your brain recovery time, you need 15 minutes per day of sitting in silence, with absolutely no technology, to day dream. Supposedly if you do this your creativity will begin to soar again. Now, in all honesty, I haven’t tried it yet – but it makes sense to me, and I’m going to try it soon. God has created our brains to need rest, silence, and beauty to revive peace. If we’re going to allow peace to rule in our hearts, we need to create the space for creative rest.

Peace can feel challenging, but I’m praying for you that the Lord of peace himself will give you peace at all times and in every way (1 Thessalonians 3:16).

Where’s Becky?

I’m home, writing and also participating in an inner healing conference at our home office at Reach Beyond.

How you Can Pray?

Please pray for wisdom and creativity as I write!

Praise

It was an amazing time in Quito, Ecuador! Thank you for your prayers…God did incredible things! What a joy to speak to over 1,000 women on the freedom of forgiveness.  I am praising God! Thank you for your prayers!