The Gift of Peace: Receive Inner Rest

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

John 14:27 (NLT)

 Measure. Cut. Fold. Tape. 

Before Christmas day, one of my favorite things to do is hide in our bedroom, lock the door (this is a must if you have curious family members), put on cheery Christmas music, and wrap presents for family and friends.  

To me, there’s something sweet about knowing you have a gift for someone to open, a gift that’s meant to be received. 

In John 14:27, Jesus tells us about a gift He wants us to receive—the gift of peace of mind and heart.  When I recently read these words from Jesus, they convicted me at the core because I realized how much I’ve missed out on receiving His gift of peace at times. Maybe you have, too. 

We spend time worrying, overthinking circumstances that are out of our control, delaying our obedience, or sitting in a place of unforgiveness or bitterness. As believers, when we choose to live this way, it’s like handing Jesus His present of peace back, a present that cost Him dying on the cross. 

He willingly paid full price for our peace.

So many of us pray and ask for peace (including me), but we already have access to that gift through the Holy Spirit!

Jesus constantly leans in toward us with the beautiful, unexplainable gift of inner rest. It’s our response to His gift that transforms our lives for better or worse. 

When we receive Jesus’ peace, we invite inner rest.

When we reject Jesus’ peace, we invite inner turmoil. 

Friend, will you receive His gift of peace this Christmas? 

Jesus loves you. Let His peace mark you. Let it change you. Let inner rest be a gift you receive again and again in Jesus’ name.

He will fill your heart and mind with peace when you surrender, ask, and receive. 

Reflect:

1. “If it costs you your peace, it’s too expensive.” I don’t know who first said that quote, but it always stuck with me. What typically costs you your peace? Is it doubt, fear, self-reliance, control, circumstances, or something else? If you don’t have an answer, ask God to reveal it to you and to help you receive His peace, peace that surpasses all understanding.