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

For many of you, this is a very busy season of the year – the school year is ending and end-of-the year

parties are on the calendar, graduations are coming up and there are gifts to give and celebrations to

enjoy, several big weddings are also on the horizon which requires another batch of gifts and happy

events, summer camps to schedule, kids’ sports teams to coach, a family vacation to plan – along with

your “normal” life. Our calendars quickly fill with events and obligations we had forgotten, or perhaps

didn’t even know we had. This can easily overwhelm and rob us of our peace.

Many people thrive on the excitement, the social life, the filled-up-to-overflowing calendar, the running

from one event to another. For others, this busy-ness saps their energy and robs them of joy and peace.

For both groups of people, stress can come from unrealistic expectations, precarious relationships, or

experiencing many of the “firsts” without a loved one.

For those who struggle with finding peace in hectic times, it may seem like those who thrive on this busy-

ness possess a super-power that the others missed out on. And then, even wondering why you don’t

thrive like others during this season can bring its own stress.

During any unusually busy season, we all have to guard against the little things that have a way of

becoming bigger things and robbing us of our peace. The prophet Isaiah who identified the Messiah,

amongst other titles, as the Prince of Peace tells us that the secret to lasting peace is to keep our mind

stayed on Jesus. The apostle Paul tells us that His peace surpasses our understanding (Philippians 4:7).



If you find yourself stressed and in search of peace, take a few moments to anchor yourself in the Prince

of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) to remember the peace He has left us (John 14:27), and to yield yourself to the work

of His Spirit to bear the fruit of peace in your life (Galatians 5:22-23). If you encounter someone who is

lacking peace, will you accept the challenge to extend to them the grace and peace that has been freely

and abundantly shared with you by the Prince of Peace? Shalom.

By Jesse Smith