Reflect and Respond

Read

Psalm 29:11 “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

Think

Peace is one of those things everyone wants, but few people know how to hold on to. It can feel like chasing something that’s always just out of reach—a fleeting moment, a perfect setting, a break in the tension. But if this past week has taught you anything, it’s that the peace God offers isn’t circumstantial. It’s foundational.

Psalm 29:11 says, “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Not the kind of peace that comes from finishing a to-do list or getting good news. Not the kind of peace that depends on everything going your way. This peace is different. It's divine. It's a gift, not a reward. And it comes with strength, not instead of it. That matters, because real peace is not passive. It’s not a soft emotion or a weak escape. It’s something that takes hold deep in your soul and refuses to let go—even when everything else is shaking. Peace isn’t about life being easy. It’s about your spirit being anchored.

This week, you’ve been reminded that peace doesn’t grow in a vacuum. It grows in connection—connection to Jesus, to his Word, to his presence. You’ve seen that peace is not just a feeling but a fruit of the Spirit. It’s something God produces in you when you stop striving to control everything and start trusting the One who actually can. You’ve reflected on the way peace holds firm under pressure. How it steps into chaos without becoming part of it. How it shows up in wisdom, quiet strength, humility, and boundaries. Peace is both a shield and a signal—it guards your heart, and it tells the world who you belong to.

You’ve also seen how easy it is to let peace slip away. One moment of frustration. One conversation that hits the wrong nerve. One thought spiral that turns into a storm. That’s why Colossians says to let the peace of Christ rule in your heart—it has to be given room, protected, nurtured. And that takes attention. It takes surrender.

Today is about reflecting, but also deciding. What needs to change moving forward? Where have you been living at the mercy of stress, noise, or anxiety? What will it look like this week to prioritize peace, not just wish for it? Maybe it means pulling back from something that’s overstretched you. Maybe it means pausing before responding in conversation. Maybe it means turning down the volume—on your phone, your schedule, or even your own inner critic.

This journey toward peace doesn’t end today. If anything, it starts now. Because now, you’ve tasted it. You’ve seen what life feels like when the Spirit is given space to settle your soul. And now you have a choice: to keep peace in theory – or to start living it on purpose. And here’s the good news: God wants to help you. He’s not asking you to manufacture peace. He’s inviting you to abide in him, and let it grow naturally. You don’t have to chase peace. You just have to stay close to the One who is peace.

You are not powerless. You are not alone. You are not stuck. You are a Spirit-filled child of God. And he has blessed you—not just with strength to endure, but with peace to carry. Don’t let the world talk you out of it. Don’t let fear shake it loose. Keep it. Guard it. Practice it. And let it shape every part of who you are becoming.

Apply

Look back at the week’s devotionals and write down one truth that hit you the hardest. Then make a plan. What will you do this week to practice peace intentionally? Schedule a quiet morning. Commit to a specific boundary. Pause before a conversation. Let your response reflect what’s been growing.

Pray

God, thank you for reminding me that peace isn’t found in everything going right—it’s found in you. Thank you for walking with me through this week and showing me that real peace is possible, even when life is full. Help me carry what I’ve learned into the way I live, love, rest, and speak. Let your peace take root and become part of who I am, not just how I feel. Teach me to trust you more deeply and to protect the peace you’ve given. In Jesus’ name. Amen.