February 6: Let Peace Protect You

 

Let Peace Protect You

Key Text: Colossians 3:15 (KJV)
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

Sharon Campbell-Danvers 
Survivor 

Growing up, much of my life was surrounded by fighting. My mother and stepfather fought. My siblings fought. We lived in an environment where several aunts, uncles, and cousins were close by, and that brought even more conflict and disagreement. Physical and verbal abuse were part of our daily reality, and many days felt extremely long and difficult.

The greatest sense of peace I experienced as a child was when I was at school—but even there, I found myself fighting. My teachers often asked why I looked so serious. Smiling became something I forced myself to do just to survive.

As my life progressed, I began to yearn deeply for peace. I prayed to God to give me the peace that “passeth all understanding.” Sometimes I would take my mat and go to the bush or the gully, as we called it, just to sit quietly while chaos was happening all around me. Over time, I learned how to tune out the noise and focus on peace. And in doing so, peace began to protect me.

Choosing peace did not mean giving up my rights or pretending nothing was wrong. It meant I refused to let turmoil rule my heart. Now, it is much easier for me to experience peace even in the midst of difficulty, tension, and conflict.

I remember one day when a colleague was going through a serious problem. She told me she would not bring the issue to me because I am “for peace,” and in that moment, she wanted war. That statement stayed with me. It made me realize something: people can sense when you carry peace.

Today, I know the Peace Speaker, and He is now my friend—Jesus Christ. He taught me that peace is not the absence of trouble; it is the presence of God ruling in your heart.

My story is to encourage you to let peace protect you. Let the peace of God rule in your heart. Choose peace over pride. Choose calm over chaos. Choose trust over fear. When you allow God’s peace to lead you, it becomes a shield for your soul.

Because peace does not mean weakness.
Peace means God is in control.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for being the God of peace. Thank You for guarding my heart through every storm. Help me to let Your peace rule in my heart, guide my choices, and shape my responses. When conflict rises around me, teach me to choose Your calm over chaos. Make me a vessel of Your peace to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.