Sunday, May 10, 2015

True Peace In The Midst Of Chaos

Peace, such an easy word to say and something we all would like, but is so elusive.



What really is peace? Most of us think about peace when there is chaos in our lives. Things get hectic and crazy. We have tons of things to get done. The kids are going nuts. The news is depressing. There is violence around the world. The money that comes in never seems to quite match the money that needs to go out. The laundry never seems to ever get done. The yard needs mowing and it won't stop raining. The dog just got loose. The cat just threw up. The car "Service Engine" light came on.


How did those old commercials go? Calgon, take me away! (Do they even make that anymore?)

But is a few minutes in the bathtub with a fragrant bath additive really what peace is. It may feel like peace. It may look peaceful, but in the end is it really peace.

Not really. In fact, not at all. It's only the appearance of peace, not true peace.

Peace defined is:
1.freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility.
2.freedom from or the cessation of war or violence.

When was the last time in your life you truly had that kind of peace? Seriously think about it. Have you ever really had freedom from disturbance? Has there ever really not been war or violence? If you're honest the answer will be no. I have to answer the same. We always have things going on in our lives, around our lives and through our lives that are far from peaceful. Sure there are moments, but nothing seriously continuous.

So if it is something we can't really completely get, why do we seek it and want it so much? Because it is a part of who we should be spiritually!

Let me explain.

Born in each and every person is a knowledge (whether we recognize it or not) that something is missing from our lives. That something is God. He made us that way. We are wired to seek Him. Part of who God is, well, is Peace. You may have heard one of the names of Jesus, The Prince of Peace. He is named that because that is who He is. He IS Peace. It is a part of His character, who He is as God.

John 14:27 says "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

My peace I give you....... Think about that for a minute. My peace I give you. If Jesus is peace and He is giving us His peace He giving Himself to us. How do I know this? Well I could say from personal experience, but that's a little subjective. But Scripture is very clear on this.

John 14:15-17 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 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."



Did you see that part I emphasized? The Holy Spirit dwells within each and every Believer. Because He does each and every one of us can know Peace, true Peace, not the temporary or momentary kind, but the kind that lasts. This is a peace that you can't explain!

Phillipians 4:7 "and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

That kind of peace is something that no Believer I know can really explain. God was very clear in saying that it is a peace that "surpasses all understanding". It truly does. It never makes sense, nor can we ever give this kind of peace to each other. It's impossible. It only comes from God because of what His Son did for us on the cross and through the Holy Spirit.


What an amazing gift it really is. In the midst of all the craziness of life, in the calmness of life, in the tragedy of life, we can have peace. Recently I experienced an abundant amount of that peace. It happened when my husband became violently ill with food poisoning and then learned when he was in the hospital that he would have to have a toe amputated. Imagine how most of us would feel watching our spouse get sicker and sicker with food poisoning, taking them to the ER and finding out while there that he was to lose a toe and that he had a raging infection throughout his body. I think the normal response would be panic, fear, sadness and a whole gamut of other emotions.

But I can say, and my friends and family can attest to the fact that during the whole process I not once panicked. I remained calm and deep inside I was sure things would be fine no matter the outcome. Seriously, no matter the outcome, even when the surgeon said he was concerned about my husbands whole foot being in danger and when he explained how serious the infection he had was. I knew God was in control and I felt His perfect peace at all times.

That's peace that "surpasses all understanding".


The only way to have true peace is to have Christ. If you don't have Christ you will never be able to understand nor experience this kind of peace. Having Christ is a simple act of faith in what He has done for you and me.

I Corinthians 15:3-4 "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,"

That's how you and I can have peace, true Peace!

63 comments:

  1. My house is chaotic most of the time, but I am ok with it if it means my kids are happy and being well taken care of :)

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    1. I don't mind that kind of chaos by any means. I've always loved it when my kids have been here and their friends. That's just normal chaos. I'm talking about inner chaos.

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  2. Wonderful post. For me peace is when the kids already in bed for sleep or when they go to school. LOL....

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  3. I do find peace at nighttime in Christ. Great verses for my day.

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  4. What a great post! I just had a baby and with a newborn and a toddler, its hard to find some peace :)

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    1. I remember those days. I was thankful for the peace I could have internally though through them.

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  5. Now that son is older chaos is less of an issue. Now I have to deal with attitude.

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    1. That is something that is difficult to deal with and I am thankful that we can still have God's peace internally through it!

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  6. I have found walking with The Lord to be my peace. Only when I'm in His presence am I truly at peace. As a busy mother of 6 children you can imagine the daily chaos that life brings my way. However I have learned that as long as I allow the Master to order my steps and abide in me, peace is in my reach.

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    1. Isn't it wonderful! He gives us His peace right from the moment of salvation and all we have to do is abide in it and rely on it.

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  7. Great post! For me peace is when we're all getting ready for bed at night, and I know we've all had a good day and we're all safe at home.

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  8. When my son was in grade 2 he wrote on a paper cutout of a dove, "Peace is when you don't fight and are quiet." and I still have that taped to my fridge!

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  9. truly agree, despite all hardships, there is wellness, as long as we always have faith and do our best to use the talents God has given us

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    1. The peace of God is a gift from Him and it is ours to claim and hold on to!

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  10. Jesus contrasted His kind of peace with the world's kind of peace. "Worldly" peace can be good, but we often spend so much time pursuing that kind of peace that we neglect the greater and lasting peace from God.

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  11. My house is always crazy. I have an infant, three and four year old- so peace is never something I truly get. I do love this post and I agree.

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    1. Even in the midst of outward chaos you can still have an inward peace. That's the peace we can really hold on to.

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  12. My goodness I needed to read that today! Thank you!

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    1. It was something God was reminding me of personally. I needed it too!

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  13. I look more for peace and quiet. And to get the bathroom to myself.

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  14. Sometimes I just go to my room and watch tv alone just to get away. We all need some peace and quiet.

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    1. We do and I love that I can have an inward peace even in the midst of outward scariness!

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  15. Thank you! Life with 3 little boys always seems chaotic. I need to remember to slow down and focus on the peace that comes from Christ!

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    1. I have to do that often. it's always good when I do.

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  16. Thanks so much for the reminder - peace that passes all understanding indeed!

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    1. It is a good thing to be reminded of. It's a wonderful peace to know.

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  17. Wonderful post . I have four kids it always seems ahhhhh at times. Sometimes slowing down and just being quiet helps

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    1. It does help to slow down, but I like that inner peace that you can have inside even when things outwardly are crazy!

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  18. A nice reminder for me! I've been a little wayward lately and this is a great reminder to help bring me back to our Lord and Savior.

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    1. We all need reminding sometimes! That's a great part of being a part of the Body of Christ!

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  19. The only time I get peace is only a few minutes a day when I pray the rosary. My house is always in chaos and the twins are always at each other.

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    1. It's wonderful to get alone and pray, but I hope you can feel that inner peace that is available to all of us!

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  20. Yes, we must be anchored with God to feel real peace. It is possible even with the chaos.

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    1. It certainly is possible and amazing to experience!

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  21. When I feel like my life is getting chaotic, I like to take a shower with some spa-like music playing in the bathroom. It helps me center myself and find inner peace.

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    1. That's a great way to relax. I also hope you can have inner peace in the midst of the chaos too!

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  22. My house is always chaotic and honestly, I love it. It means there is a happy, healthy family in there! We are so blessed!

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    1. I love that kind of chaos and it can be a blessing when you have an inner peace!

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  23. I can find peace with the noise. It is that 'noise' that brings a smile to my face because I have a family. And that to me is peace.

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    1. Noise from my family is for the most part, good too! I love having them around.

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  24. It's definitely what keeps me level through all the bumps and whatnot in life.

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    1. The same here! I think it keeps anyone who really knows this kind of peace level!

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  25. My house is a loud zoo, with free range monkeys. While it drives me crazy some days I love it. I find peace in knowing that we are happy and loved. Some day I will long for these wild days.

    I also appreciate the calm that we all need. A quiet movie or alone time in our own rooms.

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    1. Those are both good, but I am also talking about the peace that comes from inside that can't be explained when things go wrong. That's much more important to experience!

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  26. This is a beautiful post.Peace for me is when am not arguing with my husband and the kids have a full stomach. When I can lay down and read a book or just listened to music when nobody is not bothering me.

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  27. peace for me would be an alone time in my bathtub reading a book....:)

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    1. That kind of peace is nice. I like the inner peace all the time a lot better though.

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  28. We live in a multigenerational house with persons with disabilities as well as special needs. There is always chaos.

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    1. I can imagine how chaotic it could be. Inner peace in all of that would be very helpful!!

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  29. Its hard to get peace in today date. I really want peace of mind

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    1. That peace of mind is what I get because of what God has given me!

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  30. I find my peace when I meditate, and take my walks. Nature is my playground and my escape. Well written post!

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    1. Thanks! I find God speaks to me in the beauty of His creation too!

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