Peace That Surpasses All Understanding: A Gift in the Chaos
The peace that surpasses all understanding is exactly what we need when life feels like it’s spinning out of control! When we grab hold of God’s peace, the kind that surpasses all understanding, we discover God’s supernatural gift that makes absolutely no sense to the world around us.
Welcome to the fourth post in our Fruits of the Spirit series with our incredibly gifted guest writer, Dr. Gladys Childs! After exploring love and joy in our previous posts, we’re now diving into peace—that incredible gift that changes everything about how we face life’s challenges. I’m so excited for you to hear what Dr. Childs has to share about this powerful fruit that gives us strength even in our toughest seasons and helps us experience God’s presence right in the middle of our storms!
Peace That Surpasses All Understanding: A Gift in the Chaos
Life rarely slows down. The world throws uncertainty, stress, and heartache at us from every direction—news headlines stir anxiety, relationships weighed down by conflict, and personal battles we never saw coming. But in the middle of it all, there’s a promise we often forget: God’s peace isn’t tied to our circumstances. It’s rooted in His presence.
Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (ESV)
This peace isn’t a fragile, fleeting peace coming and going with good days and bad ones. God gives a supernatural peace—a peace surpassing all understanding. It doesn’t make sense by human standards because it doesn’t rely on a problem-free life. It’s anchored in who God is, not what’s happening around us.
The Role of the Holy Spirit in Peace
We often try to manufacture peace ourselves—through control, avoidance, or temporary distractions. But peace isn’t something we create; it’s something the Holy Spirit produces in us as we walk with Him. Galatians 5:22 tells us peace is a fruit of the Spirit, meaning it naturally grows when we remain connected to God.
Romans 8:6 says, “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (ESV) The Holy Spirit reminds us of truth when fear creeps in. He convicts us when we rely on our strength instead of trusting God. He redirects our hearts, guiding us back to peace when overwhelmed.
When we let the Spirit lead, we experience peace that surpasses all understanding—not because life is perfect, but because we are resting in the One who is in control.
Where Are You Looking for Peace?
Too often, we chase peace in all the wrong places—financial stability, relationships, accomplishments, or control. But every time, we come up empty. Why? Because earthly peace is temporary, easily shaken, and dependent on external factors. One moment, it’s there; the next, it’s gone.
Jesus offers something different. Before going to the cross, He told His disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27, ESV). Did you catch that? His peace is given, not earned. We don’t have to strive for it. We have to receive it.
A Real-Life Picture of Peace That Surpasses All Understanding
Corrie ten Boom, a Christian who survived the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp, once wrote: “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” She and her family were arrested for hiding Jews during World War II, yet amid unimaginable suffering, she clung to God’s peace.
One night in the concentration camp, as fear threatened to overwhelm her, her sister Betsie reminded her: “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.” Even in a place of death and despair, Corrie experienced peace that surpassed all understanding—not because her circumstances changed, but because God’s presence was greater than her fear. If peace could carry Corrie through a concentration camp, it can also take us through our most challenging days.
The Peace That Surpasses All Understanding in Your Life
Maybe right now, you’re in a season where peace feels impossible. The doctor’s report wasn’t what you hoped. A loved one walked away. The weight of daily responsibilities feels like too much. How do we hold onto peace in the storm?
It starts with surrender. The more we try to control everything, the more anxious we become. But when we hand our worries over to God—laying them at His feet—we make space for His peace to fill us. We don’t have to figure it all out. We have to trust the One who already has.
Paul understood this firsthand. He wrote Philippians 4:6-7 while imprisoned, awaiting trial. By all accounts, he should have been overwhelmed with fear. Instead, he was filled with peace that surpasses all understanding. Why? Because his peace didn’t depend on freedom—it depended on Jesus.
Spirit-Led Solutions: Cultivating Peace in Everyday Life
- Start with Surrender – Give your worries to God every morning before they take root in your heart. Pray, “Lord, I release my anxieties to You. Fill me with Your peace today.”
- Shift Your Focus – Instead of dwelling on what’s wrong, meditate on what’s true. Memorize Philippians 4:8 and fill your mind with good, pure, and praiseworthy things.
- Breathe and Be Still – When anxiety rises, take a moment to pause. Close your eyes, take deep breaths, and remember that God is in control. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
- Guard Your Heart – What you consume impacts your peace. Limit negativity from social media, the news, or toxic influences that stir up fear.
- Rest in God’s Presence – True peace is found in intimacy with Jesus. Spend time in His Word, worship, and prayer. Let His presence quiet the storm inside you.
- Ask Yourself: “Where am I looking for peace?” – Take a moment to reflect. Are you chasing control, financial security, or other people’s approval? Or are you resting in God’s promises?
No matter what you’re facing today, peace is possible. It’s not just any peace, but the peace that surpasses all understanding—a peace carrying, strengthening, and reminding you God is in control.
About the Author
Dr. Gladys Childs, the ‘Truth Doctor,’ meets people at the crossroads of faith and life’s challenges, offering clarity, hope, and practical wisdom. As a pastor’s wife, author, speaker, former religion professor, and boy mom, she empowers individuals to navigate life’s toughest moments in faith and freedom.
You can learn more at Dr. Childs’ website. Then connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
Want to Catch Up on the Whole Series?
- 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit: Timeless Gifts for Your Messy Life
- Love God Love People the Way You Were Meant To (Before Exhaustion Hits)
- How the Joy of the Lord is Our Strength
Would You Like More of This Kind of Peace?
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