Finding True Peace in Christ Amidst Chaos

Devotional

Day 1: Spirit-Produced Peace Is Rooted in Our Identity as God’s Beloved Children

True peace is found when we embrace our unshakable identity as children of God, not in the shifting labels, roles, or accomplishments of this world. When our sense of self is anchored in Christ, we are no longer tossed about by the storms of life or the changing tides of culture, but instead stand secure in the love and acceptance God freely gives. This identity is not earned by our performance or defined by our failures, but is a gift received through repentance, surrender, and faith in Jesus. As we remember that we are chosen, redeemed, forgiven, and made new, we discover a peace that endures beyond circumstances—a peace that is planted deep within by the Holy Spirit and cannot be shaken by the world. [43:35]

1 John 3:1 (ESV)
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Reflection: What is one label, role, or accomplishment you’ve been clinging to for your sense of worth? How might you intentionally lay that down today and rest in your identity as God’s beloved child?

Day 2: The Holy Spirit Produces a Peace Unlike the World’s

The peace that Jesus gives is not like the fleeting or fragile peace the world offers, which depends on circumstances, achievements, or external comforts. Instead, Christ’s peace is a gift from above—steady, enduring, and able to quiet the deepest restlessness of our souls. Even when the world is filled with trouble, anxiety, and chaos, Jesus promises a peace that is not diminished by hardship or fear. This peace is anchored in relationship with Him, and is available to all who trust in His words and presence, no matter what storms may rage around us. [30:08]

John 14:27 (ESV)
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.

Reflection: Where in your life are you seeking peace from sources that eventually run dry? What would it look like to turn to Jesus and receive His peace in that area today?

Day 3: Spirit-Produced Peace Flows Outward in Reconciliation with Others

When we are at peace with God, that peace is not meant to stay bottled up inside us—it is meant to overflow into our relationships, making us agents of reconciliation and sowers of peace in a fractured world. As Christ’s ambassadors, we are called to model the peace we have received by pursuing forgiveness, understanding, and restoration with others, especially within the body of Christ. This does not mean avoiding hard conversations or pretending everything is fine, but rather bringing the love, truth, and peace of God into every interaction, even when it is difficult. [50:43]

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (ESV)
All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Reflection: Is there someone in your life—especially within the church—with whom you need to seek peace or reconciliation? What is one step you can take today to sow God’s peace in that relationship?

Day 4: God’s Peace Brings Calm in the Midst of Chaos

The peace that God plants in our hearts is not dependent on the absence of storms, but on the presence of Christ with us in the midst of them. Like Jesus asleep in the boat during the raging storm, we can experience a soul at rest even when circumstances are swirling around us. This calm is not denial or indifference, but a deep trust in God’s sovereignty, love, and faithfulness. When we keep our minds and hearts fixed on Him, we are kept in perfect peace, able to respond to chaos with quiet confidence rather than fear or anxiety. [56:47]

Mark 4:39-40 (ESV)
And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

Reflection: Think of a current situation that feels chaotic or overwhelming. How might you invite Jesus into that storm and practice trusting Him for peace today?

Day 5: Surrendering to the Spirit Brings Lasting Peace

Lasting peace is found not in striving or self-reliance, but in surrendering our depleted sources of peace and clinging to Jesus, the true person of peace. The Holy Spirit calls us to release our hostilities, anxieties, and attempts to control, and instead to yield our hearts fully to Christ. As we confess, repent, and align ourselves with God’s ways, we are cultivated into His likeness and experience the peace that only He can give—a peace that transforms us and makes us instruments of His peace in the world. [01:01:26]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
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.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are holding onto control or anxiety? How can you practice surrendering that to God in prayer and trust Him to fill you with His peace?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we gathered to lift our eyes and voices to the goodness of Jesus, remembering that our worship is rooted in gratitude for God’s kindness, mercy, and love. As we continue our journey through Galatians 5 and the fruit of the Spirit, our focus turned to peace—a gift that is often less visible than love or joy, but no less essential. Peace, as given by God, is not the fleeting calm the world offers, nor is it something we can manufacture or purchase. Instead, it is a deep, abiding rest for our souls, planted by the Holy Spirit and anchored in our relationship with Christ.

We live in a world marked by conflict, restlessness, and a constant search for satisfaction. Whether it’s global wars, national division, or personal anxieties, the absence of peace is everywhere. We often chase after peace in all the wrong places—through entertainment, substances, relationships, or achievements—only to find that these sources eventually run dry, leaving us with an even deeper ache. Yet, in our restlessness, Jesus meets us with a peace that is not of this world. He promises, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives.” This peace is rooted in a right relationship with God, and it is unshakable, even when the world around us is in turmoil.

True peace begins with knowing our identity as God’s beloved children. When our sense of self is anchored in Christ, rather than in shifting roles, accomplishments, or cultural labels, we find a security that cannot be shaken by life’s storms. This identity frees us from the need to prove ourselves or cling to temporary sources of worth. As we surrender to Christ, confessing and repenting, we experience a heart at peace with God—a peace that then flows outward.

Spirit-produced peace is not meant to be hoarded; it compels us to pursue reconciliation and peace with others. As ambassadors of Christ, we are called to sow peace in our conversations, relationships, and especially within the body of Christ. This does not mean avoiding hard truths or difficult conversations, but rather approaching them with the calm and love that comes from God’s Spirit.

Finally, the peace God gives enables us to remain calm in chaos. Like Jesus asleep in the boat during the storm, we can rest in the assurance of God’s presence and sovereignty, even when circumstances are overwhelming. Our response to chaos reveals what we are truly clinging to. By keeping our minds stayed on Christ, we are kept in perfect peace, no matter what comes our way.

Key Takeaways

1. Spirit-produced peace is anchored in our identity as God’s beloved children, not in the shifting labels or achievements of this world. When we root our sense of self in Christ, we find a security and rest that cannot be shaken by external circumstances. This identity is the foundation for lasting peace in our lives. [41:58]
2. The peace of God is not a denial of reality or a temporary escape from trouble, but a deep, abiding rest that persists even in the midst of chaos. It is a gift from the Holy Spirit, not something we can manufacture or purchase. This peace is available to us as we surrender and trust in Christ. [30:08]
3. Our pursuit of peace must move beyond ourselves and flow outward into our relationships. As those reconciled to God, we are called to be reconcilers—actively sowing peace and seeking restoration with others, especially within the church. This is not passive agreement, but a Spirit-empowered pursuit of true reconciliation. [48:49]
4. The sources of peace offered by the world—whether through entertainment, substances, relationships, or achievements—are ultimately empty and unsatisfying. Only the peace that comes from a right relationship with God can fill the deep ache of our souls and withstand the storms of life. [24:20]
5. Our response to chaos and difficulty is a mirror of what we are truly clinging to. If our peace is rooted in Christ, we can remain calm and steadfast even when circumstances are turbulent. By keeping our minds fixed on Jesus, we are kept in perfect peace, reflecting God’s calm in a restless world. [58:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[16:58] - Opening Worship and Prayer
[18:35] - Blessing Over the Children
[20:47] - Introduction to the Fruit of the Spirit: Peace
[22:05] - The Elusiveness of Peace in Our World
[22:46] - The Prayer of Peace and Its Origins
[24:20] - Our Search for Peace in All the Wrong Places
[29:33] - Jesus’ Promise of True Peace
[31:29] - Reading Galatians 5:22-26
[33:36] - The Holy Spirit Produces Peace Anchored in God
[36:01] - The Fragility of Worldly Identities
[41:58] - Embracing Our Identity as God’s Beloved Children
[44:16] - Laying Down Hostility and Surrendering to Christ
[47:59] - Peace with God Flows into Peace with Others
[53:54] - Reflecting Calm in Chaos
[58:19] - Examining Our Response to Chaos
[61:26] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Galatians 5:22-26 (ESV) — > But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

John 14:27 (ESV) — > 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.

Isaiah 26:3 (ESV) — > You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Observation Questions

In Galatians 5:22-26, what does Paul say is the source of true peace in a believer’s life?
According to John 14:27, how is the peace that Jesus gives different from the peace the world offers?
In Isaiah 26:3, what is the condition for experiencing “perfect peace”?
The sermon described several ways people try to find peace apart from God. What are some of these ways? ([24:20])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that peace is “anchored in our identity as God’s beloved children.” Why is it important for our sense of peace to be rooted in our relationship with God, rather than in our roles, achievements, or cultural labels? ([41:58])
Jesus says, “My peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives.” What does it mean for peace to be a gift from God, not something we can manufacture or buy? ([30:08])
The sermon talks about peace flowing outward into our relationships, not just staying inside us. What does it look like to “sow peace” in our conversations and relationships, especially when things are tense or difficult? ([48:49])
The story of Jesus sleeping in the boat during the storm was used as an example. What does this story teach us about how we can respond to chaos and trouble in our own lives? ([56:47])

Application Questions

The sermon asked, “What is your identity in? What are you banking on?” Take a moment to reflect: Are there any roles, achievements, or labels you are clinging to for your sense of worth or peace? How might you begin to root your identity more deeply in being God’s beloved child? ([46:21])
The world offers many “sources” of peace—entertainment, substances, relationships, achievements. Are there any of these that you tend to turn to when you feel restless or anxious? What would it look like to turn to Jesus instead in those moments? ([24:20])
Think of a recent conflict or difficult conversation you’ve had. Did you approach it as a “sower of peace”? If not, what could you do differently next time to bring God’s peace into that situation? ([52:19])
The sermon challenged us to pursue reconciliation, especially within the church. Is there someone in your life, maybe even in this group or in our church, with whom you need to seek peace or restoration? What is one step you could take this week toward that? ([48:49])
When life feels chaotic—whether it’s bad news, a tough transition, or just a stressful day—how do you usually respond? What does your reaction reveal about what you are clinging to for peace? ([58:19])
Isaiah 26:3 says God keeps in perfect peace those whose minds are “stayed” on Him. What is one practical way you can keep your mind focused on Jesus this week, especially when you feel anxious or unsettled? ([59:24])
The sermon mentioned that peace is not about avoiding hard truths or pretending everything is okay. How can you be honest about struggles or conflicts while still reflecting the peace of Christ in your words and actions? ([53:14])

Sermon Clips

``The truth is, though, as we chase after peace and satisfaction, every source that we cling to eventually runs dry. We can probably all testify to that. Eventually, at the end, there is still a hunger and an ache of the soul. [00:29:09] (25 seconds) #EmptySourcesOfPeace

But what if there was an anchor for our souls? But what if there was actually someone who began to speak things not of this earth and of this world, but who began to speak things of the kingdom of God, of the eternal over and into us? What if there was an identity that was not attached to this world? What if there was a new way to live? [00:40:28] (27 seconds) #EternalIdentityPeace

Here's the good news. Is that spirit-produced peace rests not in shifting labels or identities of the world, but in the secure and unshakable identity that God gives us in Christ as his children. We can have a peace that is unshaking when we truly believe and embrace the identity that God gives to us as children of God. [00:41:20] (32 seconds) #UnshakableChildOfGod

Paul is inviting us. Jesus is inviting us to lay down our hostilities towards God. To lay down our way of living. To lay down our way of thinking and breathing and being in the world for the way of Jesus. And the way of Jesus is the way of peace. [00:45:38] (30 seconds) #WayOfJesusPeace

The seeds of peace from heaven planted in the soul of the believer can withstand the most difficult seasons of our lives and be steady and secure because of the peace of heaven that God plants within us. [00:54:17] (20 seconds) #CalmInTheStorm

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