Day Three: Peace (P3)

1) What Will I Do With God's Peace?

Learning that God offers peace is only the beginning.

We are called to walk in peace.

Peace becomes something we practice when we intentionally surrender, slow down, pray, trust, and allow God's presence to shape the way we respond to life.

Colossians 3:15 says:

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

Notice the language:

Let the peace of Christ rule.

Peace is not simply something we occasionally experience.

It can become something that influences our decisions, relationships, thoughts, and responses.

The goal is not to eliminate every stressful situation.

The goal is to stop allowing fear and chaos to make every decision for us.

Reflect:

• What would it look like to let the peace of Christ rule in my heart this week?

• Where have fear and anxiety been making decisions for me?

• What would a peaceful response look like in that situation?

2) This Week, Practice Peace in Five Ways

1. SURRENDER

Begin each day by identifying what you are carrying.

Name it specifically.

“My relationship.”

“My finances.”

“My future.”

“My family.”

“My fear of rejection.”

“My need to know what happens next.”

Then give it to God.

Pray:

“God, I trust You with what I cannot control.”

Surrender does not mean you stop caring.

It means you stop believing everything depends on you.

Practice:

Each morning, spend 5–10 minutes in prayer specifically surrendering your fears and need for control to God.

2. BE STILL

Create intentional moments of stillness throughout your day.

Put down your phone.

Step away from the noise.

Close your eyes.

Take several slow breaths.

Remember that God is present.

You do not have to accomplish anything during this moment.

You simply have to be present with God.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

Practice:

Take at least one intentional five-minute period of silence each day.

Focus on your breathing and God's presence.

3. PRAY INSTEAD OF PANIC

When anxiety begins rising, create a new response pattern.

Pause.

Breathe.

Pray.

Philippians 4:6–7 gives us a framework:

Bring the concern to God.

Ask for what you need.

Give thanks.

Receive His peace.

Instead of immediately reacting to fear, practice bringing the situation to God first.

Practice:

When anxiety arises, pause and pray:

“God, You know what I am afraid of. I give this to You. Help me trust You with what I cannot control. Thank You for being with me.”

Then return to the situation with a calmer heart.

4. CHOOSE PEACE IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

Peace is not only internal.

The source material emphasizes that the fruit of peace is also expressed through the body of Christ and through the way believers treat one another.

Peace can look like:

• Listening instead of immediately reacting.

• Speaking gently.

• Refusing to create unnecessary conflict.

• Apologizing when you are wrong.

• Forgiving.

• Setting healthy boundaries.

• Refusing to participate in gossip.

• Bearing another person's burdens.

• Choosing humility instead of pride.

• Pursuing reconciliation when appropriate.

Romans 12:18 says:

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

Being a peacemaker does not mean allowing unhealthy behavior.

It means asking:

“How can I respond in a way that reflects Christ?”

Sometimes peace means speaking.

Sometimes peace means listening.

Sometimes peace means setting a boundary.

Sometimes peace means apologizing.

Sometimes peace means letting something go.

Sometimes peace means walking away from conflict.

The goal is not avoiding every difficult conversation.

The goal is responding without allowing chaos to control you.

Practice:

Identify one relationship where you can intentionally practice peace this week.

Choose one action:

Listen.

Apologize.

Encourage.

Forgive.

Set a boundary.

Speak honestly with gentleness.

5. REST IN GOD'S PRESENCE

Peace is ultimately about where we place our trust.

Psalm 4:8 says:

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”

Rest is an act of trust.

When we rest, we are acknowledging:

I cannot do everything.

I cannot control everything.

I do not know everything.

But God does.

Matthew 11:28–30 gives us Jesus' invitation:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Jesus does not invite us to carry more.

He invites us to come to Him.

Practice:

At the end of each day, identify three things you are still trying to control.

Give each one to God in prayer.

Then remind yourself:

“God is still God. I can rest.”

Reflection After Practice:

• What happened when I intentionally surrendered control?

• Did stillness change the way I experienced anxiety?

• What did I notice when I prayed before reacting?

• Where did I experience God's peace this week?

• What relationship gave me an opportunity to practice being a peacemaker?

• What do I need to continue surrendering to God?

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being my peace.

Thank You that I do not have to create peace for myself or control every circumstance in order to experience it.

Teach me to live differently.

Help me begin my days with surrender.

Help me slow down enough to recognize Your presence.

Help me pray before I panic.

Help me trust before I try to control.

Help me listen before I react.

Help me speak with gentleness.

Help me forgive.

Help me establish healthy boundaries without allowing fear to control me.

Lord, make me a peacemaker.

Let the peace You have placed within me become visible in the way I treat other people.

When conflict comes, help me respond rather than react.

When uncertainty comes, help me trust.

When anxiety comes, help me pray.

When my mind becomes chaotic, help me become still.

When I feel the need to control, remind me that You are already holding everything in Your hands.

Help me rest in You.

Help me trust You.

Help me receive Your peace.

And may the peace of Christ rule in my heart, guard my mind, shape my relationships, and guide the way I live.

Amen.

Declare Over Yourself

God is my peace.

I do not have to control what belongs to God.

I choose surrender.

I choose stillness.

I choose prayer over panic.

I choose trust over fear.

I will allow the peace of Christ to rule in my heart.

God's peace guards my heart and mind.

I can rest because God is with me.

I will respond instead of reacting from fear.

I will pursue peace in my relationships.

I will speak with gentleness.

I will listen with humility.

I will forgive where God calls me to forgive.

I will establish healthy boundaries while remaining a person of peace.

I will not allow chaos to control my decisions.

I will not allow rejection to determine my worth.

I am secure in Christ.

Jesus is my Prince of Peace.

I can rest because God is holding what I cannot control.

His peace is my portion.

Additional Scriptures on Peace

Galatians 5:22–23 — Peace is a fruit of the Spirit.

Philippians 4:6–7 — Prayer, thanksgiving, and surrender open the way for God's peace to guard our hearts and minds.

John 14:27 — Jesus gives a peace that is different from what the world offers.

John 16:33 — We can have peace in Christ even while experiencing trouble.

Isaiah 26:3 — God gives perfect peace to those whose minds remain fixed on Him.

1 Peter 5:7 — We can cast our anxieties on God because He cares for us.

Matthew 11:28–30 — Jesus invites the weary and burdened to come to Him for rest.

Psalm 4:8 — God's presence allows us to lie down and sleep in peace.

Colossians 3:15 — Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart.

1 Peter 3:11 — Seek peace and pursue it.

James 3:18 — A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Romans 15:13 — The God of hope fills His people with joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 9:6 — Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 — The Lord of peace gives peace at all times and in every way.