Pursuing Peace in the Panic
Jazz and Jambalaya, bayous and banana foster’s, Cajun cooking, and riverboat cruising.
New Orleans has long since been on my travel bucket list, and I was so excited to finally get to visit a few months back with my parents.
Now, we all know that NOLA has a bit of a reputation, and, before my arrival, I braced myself for the noise and chaos that I would inevitably encounter on Bourbon Street.
Sara Claudia and her mom, Sally, smiling on Bourbon Street.
To my surprise, on our first day, the streets of New Orleans were calm and quiet.
Enjoying the peace, we spent the day exploring the French Quarter and shopping through the boutiques and markets.
Other than the Jazz musicians scattered here and there, the noise was not nearly as overwhelming as I had imagined.
We had arrived in Louisiana mid-week, and as the week progressed, however, the noise, especially at night, began to slowly raise one notch at a time.
Finally, on our last night, a rowdy Saturday, I could hear the noise that I had expected to experience all week loud and clear from the comfort of my hotel room.
Instantly, I missed and craved the peaceful atmosphere of our first few days in NOLA.
Sara Claudia and her dad, Dr. Tillman, smiling at the camera while sitting in front of a fountain in NOLA.
Does your life sometimes follow this same pattern?
Mine definitely does!
Chaos has a way of sneaking in through trials, daily frustrations, and even the monotony of our weekly routines.
We do not even notice it slowly creeping into our lives until it surrounds and completely overwhelms us.
All of a sudden, we crave that peace that we took for granted.
We find ourselves thinking, “How can I restore the peace, order, and sense of calm in my life?”
Thankfully, God’s word has the answer to this question.
There are many scriptures that tell us how we can find tranquility in our lives, and it is comforting to know that we have the God of peace on our side when we need it most.
1 Peter 3:11 reminds us that, even though God can provide us with peace, we must take action. We cannot just sit idly by; we have to actively pursue that sense of calm in our lives.
“Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.”
Here are some ways that we can pursue peace when life gets overwhelming.
1. Controlling What Controls Us
“So, letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”
(Romans 8:6)
First, we can find peace by turning away from those chaotic parts of our lives, which often stem from sin and the enemy. Instead, we shift our focus to Christ, and find peace, salvation, and hope when we turn our minds and hearts to Him.
2. Pay it Forward
“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
(Colossians 3:15)
Second, it becomes easier to pursue peace when we realize that, not only does God want it for us, but it is also expected of us as Christians.
We are called to show what Jesus has done in our lives to others, and the peace that comes from knowing about my own salvation is something that I definitely want to share!
As you make this command a priority in your life and pass the good news of Christ along, you may just find that His peace is contagious!
3. Pray, Pray, Pray!
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:6-7)
One of the most powerful ways that we can pursue peace is by turning to the Lord in prayer.
Instead of submitting to the chaos, we can combat it with constant prayer.
As we turn every second and minute of our lives over to Christ, we will be amazed at the changes we experience as the chaos is replaced with His calming comfort and hope.
The Bible open in front of a lake with a coffee cup sitting beside it.
