A Mindset of Peace

Photo by sammy swae on Unsplash

Let’s be honest: peace feels rare these days. There’s always something waiting to rattle your soul: a news headline, a phone call, an unpaid bill, or a strained relationship.

Your schedule is packed, your thoughts are racing, and your heart is doing its best to keep up. And yet… Jesus said something outrageous:

“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)

That verse isn’t just a sweet sentiment. It’s a promise.

And if peace is a gift, that means you can receive it. And keep it.

But here’s the catch: peace doesn’t just drop into your lap. It starts in your mind. That’s why the battle for peace is mostly won or lost in your thinking.

A mindset of peace is the attitude that believes, no matter what chaos surrounds you, Christ is still with you.

The Internal Storm

Sometimes the loudest storm isn’t outside; it’s the one in your mind.

You know what I’m talking about. The worry. The what-ifs. The swirling thoughts that keep you up at night.

Jesus knew this would happen, which is why He didn’t just calm the Sea of Galilee; He also spoke peace into people’s hearts.

The external storm isn’t always the issue. It’s the internal reaction to the storm that steals your peace.

But when your attitude is anchored in trust, your mind doesn’t have to spiral into panic. Instead, it can settle into a confidence that is not in your circumstances but in your Savior.

Peace Is a Person

Peace isn’t just the absence of problems. It’s the presence of Someone.

Isaiah called Jesus the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, NLT). Paul said “He Himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14, NLT).

That means peace isn’t found in everything going right. It’s found in staying close to the One who’s already made things right between you and God.

So if your peace depends on your job, your bank account, your spouse, your kids, or your health, you’re going to feel like a yo-yo.

But if your peace depends on Jesus, you’ll be steady even in the chaos.

Fix Your Thoughts

Paul gave us a blueprint for a peaceful mindset in Philippians 4.

After telling the believers not to worry about anything (easier said than done, right?), he says this:

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8, NLT)

In other words, don’t let your mind drift to worst-case scenarios. Fix it on things that build your faith, not break your peace.

You get to decide what takes up space in your head.

You get to reject fear-filled lies and replace them with truth-filled promises.

You get to tell anxiety it doesn’t get the final say.

God does.

Peace Doesn’t Mean Passive

Now let’s clear something up.

Having a peaceful mindset doesn’t mean you ignore reality. It doesn’t mean you pretend everything’s fine when it’s falling apart.

Peace isn’t denial. It’s defiance.

It’s looking straight at the problem and saying, “You’re real. But so is my God.”

You can cry and still trust.

You can grieve and still hope.

You can walk through the fire and still hold on to peace.

Because peace isn’t about what’s happening around you.

It’s about who’s standing with you in the middle of it.

Letting the Peace of Christ Rule

In Colossians 3:15, Paul writes:

“Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.” (NLT)

The word “rule” in the original Greek is the same as “umpire.” That means peace gets the final say. Peace gets to make the call.

Not your emotions.

Not your fears.

Not your past.

Not the pressure you feel.

Let Christ’s peace rule your heart, not as a suggestion, but as your authority.

When anxiety tries to step up to the plate, peace gets to call it out.

When fear tries to dominate the conversation, peace reminds you who’s really in charge.

That’s not just comforting. That’s empowering.

How to Cultivate a Peaceful Mindset

Let’s get practical for a second.

You can’t always stop anxiety from knocking. But you don’t have to let it move in.

Here’s how to cultivate a mindset of peace:

• Start your day with stillness. Even five minutes of prayerful silence can re-center your heart.

• Talk to God about your worries. Don’t bottle them up. Cast them on Him.

• Surround yourself with truth. Scripture, worship music, wise friends—keep your mind full of what’s real and right.

• Speak peace aloud. Sometimes you need to declare, “God is with me. I will not be afraid.”

• Practice gratitude. Peace and thankfulness go hand in hand (see Colossians 3:15 again).

These aren’t magic tricks. They’re habits that invite the Holy Spirit to guard your heart and mind like a fortress.

Final Thought: Rest Even When It’s Stormy

You might not always feel peace.

But that doesn’t mean you’ve lost it.

Peace isn’t a feeling; it’s a fruit. A gift. A reality you can lean into, even on the hard days.

So when your thoughts get loud, pause and pray.

When fear creeps in, speak truth back to it.

When the storm rages, remember Jesus is in the boat.

He may not calm the storm right away. But He will calm you.

And in that stillness where your trust outweighs your trouble, you’ll find a new kind of strength.

That’s the power of a peaceful mind.

That’s the power of a Christlike attitude.

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Excerpted from my recent book.

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Iann Schonken

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