“If you want to learn something, read about it. If you want to understand something, write about it. If you want to master something, teach it.” –Yogi Bhajan

This can be the only reason I volunteered to write about peace! I’d better learn something about it quick, because I desperately need it. It seems like the whole world is in chaos. Every day, I’m bouncing between work deadlines, fundraising challenges, visa issues, seminary assignments, my health issues, my kids’ health issues, etc. I’m stressed, on edge, physically fried, and short-tempered. I hold it together as long as I can and keep my mind distracted when I can’t.

There’s no shortage of advice available to me. I can adjust my eating habits, add a stretching routine, take salt baths, spend time outside, breathe deeply, get more sleep, and practice gratitude. In fact, I’m working on all of those things, and I recommend them! There is wisdom from God in all of them. But ultimately, they are life hacks, not heart solutions. 

Notice how Jesus promises us peace “not as the world gives.” He gives us what no one else can–his Holy Spirit. It’s right there in the previous verse: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). 

Here’s the best part: when the Holy Spirit comes, we don’t just receive peace, we actually produce it! Peace is a fruit we bear when we live by the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Fruit doesn’t benefit the tree–it is for others to eat and new trees to grow. 

Does my life produce peace that others can be nourished by? Am I a peace-bringer in my household, my ministry team, my church, rush-hour traffic, the supermarket? Honestly, not often. So that’s my prayer for this challenging season: that I will “keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25) and produce the fruit of the peace only Jesus can give.