You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3)

We find ourselves in what for most of us is the busiest season of the year. The beginning of a new year is

fast approaching, which means we have little time to complete the items on our list for the current year.

On top of that, it’s the holiday season. Our calendars quickly fill with holiday gatherings and other

obligations that we had forgotten, or perhaps didn’t even know we had. It’s a season that can easily rob

us of our peace.

For many people, this is truly the happiest time of year. They thrive on the holidays and all the associated

activities. For others, this is a more difficult season in which to find joy and peace. The stress can come

from unrealistic expectations, fractured relationships, or the experience of spending the holidays without

a loved one for the first time.

For those who struggle with finding peace in this season, it may seem like those who thrive on this season

possess a super-power that they missed out on. And then, even wondering why you don’t thrive on

holidays like others can bring its own stress.

In this season, and every other season, we all have to guard against the little things that have a way of

becoming bigger things and robbing us of our peace. The prophet Isaiah who identified the Messiah,

amongst other titles, as the Prince of Peace tells us that the secret to lasting peace is to keep our mind

stayed on Jesus. The apostle Paul tells us that His peace surpasses our understanding (Philippians 4:7).

If you find yourself stressed and in search of peace this season, take a few moments to anchor yourself in

the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) to remember the peace He has left us (John 14:27), and to yield yourself

to the work of His Spirit to bear the fruit of peace in your life (Galatians 5:22-23). If you encounter

someone this season who is lacking peace, will you accept the challenge to extend to them the grace and

peace that has been freely and abundantly shared with you by the Prince of Peace? Shalom.

By Jesse Smith