Calming the Storm Within

“Access to the peace of God comes with trusting a God whose character you can build your life on.”

Francesca Washington

“Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]” John 14:27

“And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. Philippians 4:7

If you're reading this devotional, know that it was written from a place of struggle. I want to be honest about where I am, even when it's tough. But even in the midst of disappointment and discouragement, I know God is good. He’s given me the precious gift of peace that only He can offer.

Often, when we talk about storms in church, we focus on the external challenges—big events that shake our lives. But I want to focus on the internal storms that rage within us. For me, it's the way my mind tends to wander and spiral. Some of you may relate. I always tell my friends, “Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.” But I’ve taken this advice to the extreme. I end up imagining every worst-case scenario and then I try to process my emotions for each potential outcome. I thought this would protect me, but in reality, it just leaves me feeling more defeated. It’s an exhausting process really but one that’s become an unfortunate habit. 

No matter where you are in life you can probably understand the frustration of feeling like you should be further along in your career. Or the worry when your younger sister announces she's pregnant again. Or when your closest friends are on track to get married or engaged by years end, and you start wondering, “Will that ever happen for me?”

These things are great for my friends and family, and it’s a gift to celebrate their seasons of life. But inside, the storm still rages. “Am I not good enough, Lord? Did I do something wrong? Maybe if I serve more, things will change. “If I just had a little more faith, God will bless me.” Has God forgotten me? I know you’re near, God, but why does it feel like you’re not?” The storm of fear, insecurity, and doubt swirls within me. What about you? What are the storms inside of you? 

To me, these internal storms mirror the physical storm in Mark 4. Jesus, calm and peaceful, is literally sleeping on a pillow while His disciples panic. They cry out, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re about to die?” Sounds like me at times, asking, “God, are my prayers even reaching You?” But then Jesus rebukes the wind and the waves. The Message paraphrase says, “The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass.”

In the middle of our storms, Jesus is still the one who calms the chaos—both around us and within us.

The image of the wind running out of breath gives me hope. No matter how intense a storm may seem or feel, God’s word will always calm it and bring order. Things change in God’s presence.

So, what does that mean for us? By diving into His word, worshiping Him, praying, and seeking godly counsel, we through the help of the Holy Spirit, can calm the storm within. The situation may remain the same, a situation may unfold not in the way you wanted or expected, but God is faithful and will give us a supernatural peace that sustains us, no matter what comes our way. 

Where do you go to find your peace?

I can’t tell you the “how,” “why,” or “when” of your unique situation, but I can tell you who to go to for your peace.

His name is Jesus.

Often, we place our hope and confidence in the wrong things, and it shows. It’s hard to live at peace when our hope is in relationships, career, city, financial status, social status, or anything else this world could offer. Access to the peace of God comes with trusting a God whose character you can build your life on. 

In John 16:33, Jesus says:

“And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!”

I love the verse because it says the peace that is in Christ is in us, let that sink in! (see what I did there 😉)

But what also stands out to me in this verse is the word rest. Going back to Mark 4, Jesus was sleeping in the middle of the storm. And according to John, when we rest in Him—Jesus—we too can experience a peace, a supernatural peace, regardless of our circumstances.

Is there a storm raging around you or within you? This is your invitation to rest. Just as Jesus found peace in the storm, you can find rest and peace in Him too.

Whatever is going on in your life, He knows. While you rest, He will work. He won’t let you drown. The storm isn’t the end of your story. 

Declarations

Declarations are the power of using our words to speak the truth of who God is, proclaim His promises, and declare faith over our circumstances. Repeat these out loud. 

I release my worries, fears, doubts and shame to God. 

Peace is my portion.

Peace is a promise from God and God never breaks his promises. 

The peace that is in Christ is in me. 

The peace of God rules in my heart and mind.