Do you have peace? I’m not talking about peace in your circumstances but peace in your soul. The peace Jesus assured for His followers when He said, “Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.”(John 14:27).
Name your price. If someone were to offer you a million dollars in exchange for that peace, would you take it? Of course not. Yet because Jesus also says, “Do not let…” this implies that we have the power of choice in the matter. To let or not let. Living in a fallen world, we will, by default, experience varying degrees of troubles and fears, but He says, “Do not let…”
I recently had quite an ordinary but good example of how easy it is to “let” rather than “do not let!”. I made a deal with myself at the start of this year. No glancing at my phone in the mornings until I have spent time in God’s Word and had my morning devotion. It’s just my personal application of “seek first the kingdom…” and works for me (when I stick to it!).
But the other morning, as I went past the table where my phone was charging, temptation got the better of me. I had a quick glance at the screen. A notification from work. Despite it being my day off, I opened the message. Immediately any peace I’d had just one minute earlier was replaced by frustration at what the message contained and the impact it would cause.
I came out to the kitchen where my husband was eating his breakfast and moaned, “This is exactly why I shouldn’t look at my phone first!”
My husband wisely told me there was nothing I could do right now, and with some more sage advice, he left to go to work.
Everything within me wanted to reply to that message right then and there. But I had a choice. It was my day off! Was I going to let this situation play on my mind, or could I put it aside and stubbornly regain my peace by walking into that living room and having my quiet time devotion despite my irritation?
Here’s where the “Do not let…” comes in. I chose the latter, and just as Jesus promised, peace came back. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7, emphasis mine).
We expect to have to fight to get our peace back when we are bombarded with big stressful events. But sometimes, it’s the little unexpected irritations that sneak up on us that steal our peace away.
“Do not let…” says Jesus.
What’s your price for peace?
Something to ponder!
(Can you spot the bird peacefully resting on her eggs in her nest despite the surrounding waters in the image above?)
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Quietly Roaring 
I love that you highlighted the little irritations because those are the real peace thieves 😅. May we always choose “Do not let” . I hope you got to rest on your day off
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I agree it’s the little irritations that creep up on us Funmi. And yes, the rest of my day off was peaceful. Thankyou!
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I have also found that looking at my phone right before going to bed can steal my peace and a good night’s sleep.
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Hi Annie, we put our phones in a room separate to the bedroom to charge and put them on silent. Just wish our 20yo daughter who still lives at home would do the same! Her phone seems permanently by her side.
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Such an excellent and much needed reminder. I have been “letting” a lot of things steal my peace lately. It is difficult to not worry sometimes, but I am so thankful we can turn to the Lord to find peace. Thanks for this encouraging post!
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Thanks Bridget I love how we can encourage each other and the Lord often directs us to read another blogger’s post about just what we need!
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These are wise words, thank you for sharing them sister. God bless you today 🙏
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Thanks for reading and the encouragement Alan!
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So good. Giving Him all our pieces for amazing peace.
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“Pieces for peace!” That’s so true! 💕
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Wow Jo, you’ve certainly given us a powerful question to ponder. John 14:27 is one of those verses that is etched on my mind and could be repeated from memory BUT I never paid much attention to those three words midway in- “Do not let.” Thank you for shining the light on them as well as their daily application. I realized as I read that I let “my heart be troubled and fearful” when I focus my eyes on the troubles of this world. This post is a perfect echo to a passage I’ve been working to memorize- Colossians 3:1-3. . . .Set your heart on things above . . . Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.
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Same here Beth, but the “do not let” stood out to me during a devotion and the holy spirit did the rest reminding me of this instance (and others) where the little irritations stole my peace. That’s a great verse in Colossians Beth, and is very similar to Rom 5:6 “…to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” I get the impression this is pretty important because God reminds us in several places in scripture!
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I have begun to Make that a rule for myself as well. Time in God’s word, his first thoughts and he gets my first thoughts. I am still too easily distracted though. The main culprits are birds and animals just outside the window.
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First thoughts for first thoughts…I like that!
Birds and animals seem a pleasant addition to me, but I can also see how their antics could be seen as distracting!
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Jo, it is the little gnawing irritants that more frequently and quickly set me up to lose my peace. Ginormous things that occur are often easier because I can’t change them thus I default to trusting God.
Your post is a GREAT reminder that I can make my default the same for the small stuff–trust God, and do not let. . .
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Thanks for your comment Manette and I think you’ve hit the nail on the head that the big stuff is so big we know we can’t change it, so trust is somewhat our only option! But the little things….hmm, another story! 😆
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The phone stealing our peace is something I can relate to. I have to be very intentional with the use of it so it does not derail me in how I feel and on what I focus. It is a choice but at time shard to stick with. And the little irritations that you mentioned- you are spot in with that Jo.
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Hi Manu thanks for joining the conversation and yes, the phone is definitely a peace stealer if we let it be!
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Jo this may be my favorite of all your posts. I’ve read the “do not let” verse countless times and wondered….seriously, do I honestly allow my heart to be troubled? Can I really prevent a troubled heart? Your disciplinary example with the phone is oh so pertinent to me and likely most of us. And Philippians 4 holds so much good counsel. I particularly love the last four words of verse
5 in the NIV. The Lord is near. That changes everything when it comes to experiencing peace. Because He is near, I can trust him to help me put down my phone! And He will empower me to not allow my heart to be troubled! Thank you for such an encouraging, timely post!
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Hi Benita I’m encouraged to keep on writing when I hear that kind of feedback, thankyou. And thankyou for highlighting that the Lord is near. I needed to hear that this morning! Because He is near, I can trust Him too with what I need to today. Blessings to you.
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