Don’t Let Anything Steal Your Peace

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Times of change can be unsettling, so learning to stay at peace internally and become peacemakers in the situations around us is essential to our own happiness. Jesus said, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9 NIV). When we live with a calm, peaceful attitude that seeks peace within ourselves and peace in the atmosphere around us, we are truly blessed.

I lived many years of my life without peace because I let myself get upset when things did not go my way. People and circumstances that annoyed me made me angry, and angry people do not enjoy peace. I wanted my circumstances to be peaceful, but I finally realized that I was the one who had to be peaceful even amid unenjoyable circumstances.

Jesus says that He gives us His peace—not a peace like the world gives, but His peace (John 14:27). This peace is present amid the worst of circumstances. We must access it and calm our souls when they are stirred with anger, worry, or fear. We can do this by thinking about God’s deliverance instead of our current problems. We can also do it by remembering past victories.

We can always find our way back to a state of peace if we will follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Today’s scripture gives us the winning game plan. Instead of worrying and being anxious about our problems, we should pray about them and give God thanks for all the wonderful blessings in our lives. Then God’s peace will fill our hearts and minds!

Isaiah 26:3 says about God: You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you (ESV). Based on this verse, I believe the thoughts we allow in our minds determine our level of peace. So, I encourage you to have a talk with yourself when you are upset. You can talk yourself into being upset by thinking upsetting thoughts, and you can talk yourself into peace by thinking peaceful thoughts.

Here's another scripture that has had a profound impact on my life. First Peter 3:11 says, They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it (NIV). God used this verse to help me realize that peace is not an automatic experience; it must be pursued. We can’t even simply pray for it; we must do the things that will cause it. And in the meantime, we will be blessed if we do good.

Peace is a wonderful gift from God. And when we lose it, we can always get it back.

Adapted from the book The Courage to Change by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2025 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Let’s Pray: “God, I am so thankful for Your gift of peace. When I find myself struggling with worry, fear, and anxiety, please help me remember how much You love me and that You’re with me through every change that comes. Help me to diligently pursue a life of peace and do good to those around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.”