Fruit for the Holidays - Peace

When you think about peace and the holidays, what comes to mind? Perhaps some scented candles, a fire in the fireplace, a warm blanket, gentle music, soft lighting, and an overall sense of calm. That sounds nice, doesn’t it? Is that pretty typical of your holidays or is yours more of the opposite?

Maybe your holidays are more typical of conflicts brewing, tempers flaring, food burning, smoke detectors blaring, drinks spilling, kids screaming, stuff breaking, noses running and people coughing. Whew... I get it.

I can attempt to control my environment to create a sense of peace, but I am also a realist. I can’t control everything. So, the million-dollar question is how do I maintain an internal peace during the times when my external environment is anything but peaceful?

In a quest for answers, I go back to my favorite verse related to peace, which is Philippians 4:6 (see the scripture written out below). This scripture has a special way of repositioning my heart and helps me to focus on God over all the noise. There have been many times that this scripture has brought me out of my fear and into His peace through prayer. The thing about the peace of God is that it has nothing to do with scented candles or gentle music. Those are temporary moments of peace related to our circumstances. The peace that the Holy Spirit provides is eternal and exists regardless of the circumstance presented. I find that very reassuring and freeing.

It also makes me wonder if I should be viewing peace less as the desired outcome and more as a special lens given to us by God through which to process and manage our circumstances. After all, scripture tells us that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

It would make sense that if we come from a place of God’s peace in us, we can let go of our need to control everything that happens around us. This is because the circumstances don’t really matter all that much anymore. We can trust God to take care of it. His peace is within us and freely given to us.

Can you identify any fears and/or worries you have regarding the holidays? What are you anxious about?

Often, it is easier to know what we don’t want that what we do want. Philippians 4:6 says to let your requests be known to God in a humble and thankful way. So, what do you want from your time over the holidays?

Scripture:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6

“Peace I leave with you: my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John16:33

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16