Gods_Peace_V2_Nov_42025.docx

Devotional

Day 1: Peace Is Found in Christ’s Presence, Not in Calm Circumstances

In a world that often equates peace with the absence of trouble, Scripture paints a different picture. God’s peace is not a guarantee that storms will never come, but a promise that He is with us in the midst of them. Even when anxiety, depression, or addiction threaten to overwhelm, the presence of Christ becomes our anchor. Like the disciples in the boat, we may feel fear and chaos swirling around us, but Jesus is near—His nearness is our true peace.

This peace “that surpasses understanding” is not about escaping pain or difficulty, but about experiencing God’s steady presence right where we are. When we look for peace only in changed circumstances, we may miss the comfort and strength that comes from knowing God is with us, even in the storm. Today, let your heart rest in the truth that you are not alone, and that God’s presence is enough for whatever you face.

“He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand.” (Psalm 121:3-5, ESV)

Reflection: Where in your life are you waiting for circumstances to change before you feel peace? How can you invite Christ’s presence into that very place today?

Day 2: The Mind Is a Battlefield—Take Every Thought Captive

Much of the struggle for peace happens in our minds. The enemy is relentless in sowing lies—about our worth, our future, and God’s love for us. If left unchecked, these lies can take root and shape how we see ourselves and God. Scripture calls us to actively fight back, to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. This is not a passive process; it requires daily vigilance and intentionality.

God has given us powerful weapons in His Word to demolish strongholds and replace lies with truth. This means paying attention to the thoughts that run through our minds, challenging those that do not align with God’s promises, and speaking truth over ourselves. It is a daily, sometimes moment-by-moment, battle—but one that leads to freedom and renewed minds.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, ESV)

Reflection: What is one recurring thought or lie you struggle with? What truth from God’s Word can you use to confront it today?

Day 3: Healing Grows in the Soil of Honest Community

Isolation is a breeding ground for anxiety, depression, and addiction. God created us to live in community, where we can confess our struggles, pray for one another, and find support. When we hide our pain, it grows in the dark, but when we bring it into the light with trusted believers, healing begins. Vulnerability is not a sign of weakness, but a step toward freedom and restoration.

Christian community is a place where we help each other up, share burdens, and experience the tangible love of Christ. It is in these relationships that we find encouragement, accountability, and hope. If you are struggling, you do not have to walk alone. Reach out, share your story, and let others walk with you on the journey to peace.

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one trusted person you can reach out to this week to share honestly about your struggles? What is holding you back from inviting others into your journey?

Day 4: Freedom from Addiction and Mental Struggles Is Both Spiritual and Practical

Addiction and mental health struggles are not just spiritual issues—they affect our bodies, minds, and relationships. True freedom comes from engaging both the spiritual and practical sides of the battle. Spiritually, we fight by replacing lies with God’s truth, praying, and seeking God’s help. Practically, we take steps like seeking counseling, building accountability, and forming new, healthy habits.

Small, faithful choices—like reaching for Scripture instead of a harmful habit, or calling a friend instead of isolating—are acts of resistance that add up over time. God honors these steps, no matter how small they seem. Remember, you are not fighting alone; God is with you, and He has placed people around you to help. The journey to freedom is not instant, but every step matters.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today—however small—to move toward freedom in an area of struggle? Who can you invite to support you in this step?

Day 5: Peace Is a Journey Walked Daily with Jesus and Others

Peace is not a destination we arrive at once and for all, but a daily pursuit. Even those who have walked with Jesus for years will face new storms, temptations, and struggles. The difference is not in the absence of trouble, but in the daily choice to fix our minds on Christ, use the tools He provides, and walk with others. Each day is an opportunity to trust God’s promises and lean into His presence.

This journey is not about mastering peace like a skill, but about walking with Jesus and allowing His presence to shape us, one day at a time. As we do, we find that His grace is enough for today’s storm, and that we are never alone on the path.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:23-25, ESV)

Reflection: What does it look like for you to pursue peace with Jesus today—not as a one-time achievement, but as a daily walk? How can you invite others to join you on this journey?

Sermon Summary

In this sermon, I shared my personal journey with anxiety, depression, addiction, and PTSD, despite being a long-time believer and pastor. Using the image of my ongoing battle with hammocks as a metaphor, I explored the question: Why do faithful Christians still struggle with mental health and addiction if God promises peace? We looked at Scripture to see that peace is not the absence of struggle, but the presence of Christ in the midst of it. Our world is broken, and so are we, but God’s peace is real and available—even when the storm rages on. I challenged us to accept His peace, fight to take our thoughts captive, and lean into Christian community, reminding us that the journey to peace is ongoing, but we are never alone in it.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Peace Is Not the Absence of Struggle, but His Presence in It The promise of peace in Scripture does not mean we will be free from anxiety, depression, or addiction. Instead, it means that God is with us in the storm, offering a peace that “transcends understanding.” Like the disciples in the boat, we may still feel fear and chaos, but Jesus is present, and His presence is our anchor. True peace is not found in the removal of trouble, but in the nearness of Christ amid trouble.
2. The Battle for Peace Is Fought in the Mind and Spirit Our struggles often persist because we do not fully accept God’s peace or actively fight to take our thoughts captive. The enemy sows lies—about our worth, our hope, and God’s care for us—and these lies can take root if left unchallenged. Scripture calls us to demolish these strongholds by replacing lies with truth, a daily, intentional practice that requires vigilance and spiritual discipline. The arsenal God gives us in His Word is vast; we must wield it.
3. Community Is Essential for Healing and Freedom Isolation is fertile ground for mental health struggles and addiction to grow. God designed us for community, where confession, prayer, and support bring healing and break the power of secrecy. Vulnerability with trusted believers is not weakness, but a pathway to peace and restoration. When we walk together, we help each other up, share the load, and experience the tangible love of Christ through one another.
4. Addiction and Mental Health Struggles Are Both Spiritual and Practical Battles Addiction is not just a bad habit; it is a form of slavery that rewires our brains and hearts to seek peace in the wrong places. The journey to freedom involves both spiritual warfare—replacing lies with God’s truth—and practical steps, like accountability, counseling, and new habits. Small, faithful choices—reaching for Scripture instead of a substance, calling a friend instead of isolating—are acts of resistance that, over time, lead to real change.
5. Peace Is a Daily Pursuit, Not a One-Time Achievement Even seasoned believers will face ongoing battles with anxiety, depression, and temptation. The difference is not in the absence of struggle, but in the daily choice to fix our minds on Christ, use the weapons He provides, and walk with others. Peace is not a hammock we finally master, but a journey we walk with Jesus and our community, trusting that His presence and promises are enough for today’s storm.

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: Peace in the Storm – Why Do We Still Struggle?**

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### Bible Reading

- **Philippians 4:6-7**
"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."

- **John 14:27**
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

- **2 Corinthians 10:3-5**
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

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### Observation Questions

According to Philippians 4:6-7, what are we told to do with our anxieties, and what does God promise in response?
In John 14:27, how does Jesus describe the peace He gives compared to the world’s peace?
What does 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 say about the kind of battle we are in and the weapons we have?
In the sermon, what metaphor did the pastor use to describe his ongoing struggle with anxiety and peace?

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### Interpretation Questions

The pastor shared that peace is not the absence of struggle, but the presence of Christ in the middle of it. How does this understanding change the way someone might view their ongoing battles with anxiety, depression, or addiction?
2 Corinthians 10:5 talks about “taking every thought captive.” What might this look like in real life for someone struggling with negative or anxious thoughts?
The sermon emphasized that community is essential for healing and freedom. Why might isolation make mental health struggles and addiction worse, according to both Scripture and the pastor’s story?
Jesus says His peace is different from the world’s peace (John 14:27). What are some ways people try to find peace apart from Jesus, and why do these ways often fall short?

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### Application Questions

The pastor described his daily battle with anxiety, depression, and addiction, even as a long-time believer. Is there a struggle in your life that you keep hidden because you think Christians “shouldn’t” have it? What would it look like to bring that into the light with God or a trusted friend?
Philippians 4:6-7 calls us to present our requests to God with thanksgiving. Think of one anxious thought you’ve had this week. What would it look like to pray about it with gratitude, even if nothing has changed yet?
The sermon talked about “taking thoughts captive” and replacing lies with truth. Can you identify a specific lie you tend to believe about yourself or God? What is one Bible verse or truth you could use to fight that lie this week?
The pastor said that addiction and mental health struggles are both spiritual and practical battles. Are there practical steps—like reaching out for accountability, counseling, or changing a habit—that you need to take? What’s one small step you could commit to this week?
Community was described as essential for healing. Are you currently part of a Christian community where you can be honest about your struggles? If not, what’s holding you back? If yes, how can you take a step toward deeper vulnerability?
The pastor used the hammock as a metaphor for chasing peace in the wrong places. What “hammocks” (false sources of peace) do you tend to run to when you’re stressed or hurting? What would it look like to choose Jesus instead in those moments?
Peace is a daily pursuit, not a one-time achievement. What is one daily practice you could start (or restart) this week to help you fix your mind on Christ and experience His peace, even in the middle of the storm?

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**Closing Prayer Suggestion:**
Invite the group to pray for one another, specifically for the courage to be honest about struggles, to take thoughts captive, and to experience the real peace of Christ together.

Sermon Quotes

God doesn’t promise a pain-free life. He promises peace in the pain—peace that doesn’t always make sense, peace that guards us through the storm, not necessarily calms the storm right away.

Mental health struggles and addiction are part of living in a fallen world. But God wants to meet us right here in the mess, offering peace even when the battle rages on.

Faith isn’t the absence of fear; it’s trusting God in the middle of it. Sometimes our storms rage on, but Jesus is in the boat with us, asking, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Jesus’ peace isn’t the world’s version—a shallow, temporary calm from a vacation or a pill. His peace is deeper: wholeness, completeness, and shalom, even when life is anything but calm.

We struggle because we’re not home yet. We’re still on the battlefield in a broken world, fighting battles in our minds and hearts, but we’re not fighting alone.

Mental health problems thrive in secrecy. Addiction loves the dark. But peace comes in the light—when we confess, find community, and let others help us up when we fall.

Addiction says, “This will give you peace.” Jesus says, “I am your peace.” What if, instead of reaching for the bottle, we reached for the Bible? Small steps with God become victories.

My struggles are not gone, the storms are still raging, but knowing I’m in the storm with Jesus and my Christian family gives me a peace that transcends all understanding.

If you’re struggling today—mental health, addiction, whatever it is—don’t leave without hope. My hope and peace began the moment I truly accepted Jesus as my savior and dedicated my life to following Him.

Chasing peace through addiction is like trying to relax in a hammock—it promises bliss but usually ends with you flipping out and landing flat on your face. Stick with the solid ground of Jesus instead.

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Gods_Peace_V2_Nov_42025.docx

Devotional

Day 1: Peace Is Found in Christ’s Presence, Not in Calm Circumstances

Day 2: The Mind Is a Battlefield—Take Every Thought Captive

Day 3: Healing Grows in the Soil of Honest Community

Day 4: Freedom from Addiction and Mental Struggles Is Both Spiritual and Practical

Day 5: Peace Is a Journey Walked Daily with Jesus and Others

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Quotes

Chatbot

Gods_Peace_V2_Nov_42025.docx

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