Is Your Peace Tied to Circumstances?
Join me in finding unshaken, unwavering peace—peace found in Jesus.
"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."
Isaiah 26:3
Troubled Hearts
How often have we hitched our sense of peace to things of this world?
Our jobs might be going well, our family in good health, we live in a nice home, are driving a reliable car, enjoying the companionship of our friends, and all feels well. We feel content and at peace. Sure, life isn’t perfect, but things are pretty good.
Until they aren't.
Maybe it’s the loss of a job we thought was secure, a change in the economy that stretches us too thin financially, an unexpected illness, diagnosis, or death, or the loss of a friendship we thought was indestructible.
In a moment, life shifts, and the ground beneath us feels unsteady. What once felt certain is suddenly unknown, and we find ourselves grasping for stability in a world that can change in an instant.
If you’ve read my book, “Not Alone: God’s Presence on the Path of the Special Needs Mom,” you’ll know my story of feeling life crumble beneath me. It’s a jarring reality that nothing in this world is promised to stay exactly as we’d like. And, at any moment, we could face a trial we never saw coming.
In our scripture spotlight, I’ve chosen the words Jesus spoke to His disciples at the Last Supper. In these moments with Him, they were on the precipice of unexplainable events—events they had never encountered or could ever imagine. Within 24 hours of this speech to His beloved followers, He would be crucified and die on the cross.
He knew their hearts would be troubled.
He saw the worry in their eyes, the fear of what was to come, and the uncertainty of a future without Him physically by their side. But they need not fear—because He was not leaving them alone.
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1, NKJV)
Jesus had walked with them, taught them, and been their source of strength, wisdom, and guidance. And now, as He prepared for the cross, He reassured them that His departure did not mean abandonment.
In this very moment of farewell, He introduced them to the One who would come next—the Holy Spirit, their Comforter, their Advocate, their Helper.
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17, NKJV)
This was a promise of divine companionship—not just for the disciples, but for all who would believe in Him. Jesus was leaving, but the presence of God was not. The Spirit would not only be with them but would dwell within them, guiding, strengthening, and reminding them of all Jesus had taught.
Just as Jesus assured His disciples in their fear, we too can take comfort in this promise. No matter the uncertainty we face, we are never left to navigate it alone. The Holy Spirit is with us—our peace, our truth, our ever-present help in time of need.
“I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18, NKJV)
Peace Beyond This World
For many years, I’ve chased after my own version of peace, always tied to a worldly ideal I had created for myself. As a mom of young children, I have often felt that I was living in chaos, a far cry from the clean and peaceful home my heart longed for.
Given my present circumstances, peace felt elusive and unattainable every day. If peace was drinking my hot coffee uninterrupted while I read a book, stayed caught up on laundry every day, or enjoyed a clean house that never had toys strewn about–well, peace seemed to be waiting for me at the end of the long tunnel of motherhood. I could enjoy peace one day when my kids were older, and I could stay on top of the housework better.
When we define peace through the lens of the world, we will likely come up with a list of ways we can be at peace, and everything on that list will likely be circumstantial.
I’ll be at peace when my house is cleaner. When my kids listen better. When we have more money. When we get better jobs. When I have a nicer car. When I lose weight.
When…fill in the blank.
The problem with looking at peace through worldly eyes is that we often create an “if, then” relationship with it. Such as, “If we had more money, I’d be more at peace.”
But what if there was a way that you could have peace right now, regardless of your circumstances?
Before we discuss how to attain out-of-this-world peace right now, let me set the scene.
Do you have someone who makes you feel completely safe and at home? Maybe it’s your mom, your dad, a grandparent, a family member, your best friend, or your spouse. You can tell them anything, and they always have a way of making you feel better. Being in their presence gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling of being comforted, seen, and known–you’re at peace when you’re around them, and your soul knows it. That’s why it feels so good to rest in their presence.
But they can’t be with you all the time, can they?
When we choose Jesus and invite Him into our lives, we are filled with the Holy Spirit—the Helper He promised His disciples during their last meal together in the upper room.
Scripture reveals the beautiful mystery of the Trinity—God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit—three in one. As believers, we are not only invited into a relationship with God, but we are also indwelt by His very presence through the Holy Spirit. He is with us always—guiding, strengthening, and comforting us. Because of this, we are never truly alone; the Father watches over us, the Son walks beside us, and the Spirit dwells within us, reminding us of His unshakable love and faithfulness.
I once sat with someone and prayed with them as they accepted Christ. After many conversations, this person was ready to accept Jesus as their Savior and begin a new life in Him. After we prayed–and some tears were shed–I asked how they felt. Their response was, “I feel so much peace.”
Peace, He gives, and peace He is. Jesus is our source of peace–one we never have to chase or merely dream of.
Peace That Surpasses All Understanding
My two-year-old daughter might tell you she’s an elephant, a cat, or a bird, and if you ask her why, she’ll respond, “because I am.”
She knows she isn’t any of those things but loves pretending, being silly, and exploring her imagination.
As parents, we witness our children believe in all kinds of things they cannot see or don’t fully understand. No wonder the Bible tells us we are to have faith like a child (Matthew 18:3).
I’ve been pondering this theme since last week—the idea that Jesus is our peace—and I keep thinking about the way my daughter often describes things: simple and trusting–things just are the way they are.
The peace of Jesus is just that to me—steady, unwavering, and trustworthy. I don’t have to overcomplicate it; I simply rest in it.
No matter the storm, He is there. His promises remain true—just as they always have. And the more I draw near to Him, the closer He draws to me (James 4:8).
He is my Savior, my Redeemer, and my constant friend. I trust that He knows the full story of my life, every twist and turn ahead, and nothing takes Him by surprise.
That’s why I often pray, “Lord, guide me through the winding paths and over the rocky hills where I might stumble. Keep me near to You—my true and everlasting peace.”
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
Reflect
Take a moment to consider the things that steal your peace.
What situations, worries, or fears weigh heaviest on your heart? Maybe it’s uncertainty about the future, financial stress, parenting struggles, or the fear of things not turning out the way you hoped. Write them down—seeing them on paper can bring clarity to what is truly troubling you.
Now, reflect on the expectations you’ve placed on these burdens. Are there “if, then” statements attached to them? If this situation doesn’t change, then I will never feel peace. If I don’t have all the answers, then I can’t move forward. If I fail, then everything will fall apart.
These thoughts can subtly take root in our hearts, convincing us that peace is only possible once our circumstances align perfectly. But Jesus offers a different way.
What would it look like to surrender these burdens to God today? To release the need to control the outcome and instead trust in His promises?
Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us that when we bring our worries to God in prayer, His peace—one that surpasses all understanding—will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Ask God to help you trade anxiety for trust.
Picture yourself physically placing each burden into His hands, believing that He is big enough to carry what feels too heavy for you. What might change in your heart if you fully embraced His peace? How might your perspective shift if you rested in the truth that He is sovereign, good, and always with you?
Take a deep breath. Pray. Release it to Him. His peace is already available to you—right here, right now.
Pray
Dear Heavenly Father,
You see the burdens I carry—the worries that weigh on my heart and the fears that steal my peace. I lay them before You now, surrendering the things I cannot control into Your loving hands.
Lord, I confess that I have often tied my peace to my circumstances, believing that if things worked out the way I hoped, then I could rest.
But You have called me to a deeper trust, a peace that surpasses understanding, a peace that is not dependent on what I see but on who You are.
Father, help me to release my anxious thoughts and replace them with the truth of Your Word. Remind me that You are sovereign over every detail of my life and that I do not walk this path alone.
When fear creeps in, let me remember that You are my refuge.
When doubt tries to shake me, let me stand firm in Your promises.
When my heart feels restless, fill me with Your presence, knowing that true peace is only found in You.
I choose to trust You today, Lord. I choose to believe that Your plans are good, that Your love never fails, and that Your peace is mine to receive. Guard my heart and mind, Jesus. Lead me step by step and help me to rest in the unshakable truth that You are with me—always.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.