Peace is a choice. It’s the main lesson and practice I’ve learned with my 2024 word of peace. Many of us choose a word or words to live with and learn from over the course of a year. For me this year, it was peace. Typically, when I settle on a word, I’m not always sure why. That was certainly true last year at this time when I sensed peace as 2024’s word. I was a bit nervous for it as I am most years, but this year has taught and brought me peace, mainly by choice.
2024 was a peaceful year for me, but often it was by choosing to rest in God’s peace, even amid turmoil or change. This wasn’t always easy, and I believe that is mainly what God wanted to teach me this year. Peace is a choice, no matter the circumstance.
Peace is a Choice
I have developed choosing peace over many years. Usually, I’m the first to get all riled up, nervous, anxious, worried, and see all the ‘what if’s’ of a situation. There are times when seeing all sides of a situation can be good and discerning. But often worry, anxiety, and increased angst aren’t helpful, healthy, or productive. Enter in peace.
Ironically, I learned worrying from my mom yet began to learn peace as a choice when she became sick. As a young adult, I often tried to help Mom worry less and choose to be more positive. I recognized her worrying wasn’t healthy and didn’t want both of us to worry so much. We were working on it together when she became sick and was quickly gone. In those months of her illness, peace was very elusive. But I tried to be more peaceful for her, myself, and young family, especially once we knew she wouldn’t be with us for much longer.
Peace Has a Name
Fast forward almost twenty years and this year of peace solidified what I sensed back then. I can choose peace, even amid the worst circumstances. Peace doesn’t come from me. Peace comes from the Prince of Peace, Jesus. In some of my worst moments, peace came to me and His name is Jesus. That’s what I learned all those years ago. Since then and especially in 2024, I learned peace is a choice to make daily, even moment by moment at times.
Choosing peace in difficult or worrisome moments isn’t easy. But Jesus says we should come to Him with all our burdens and His peace is a gift for us to accept. On the last evening Jesus had with his disciples, Jesus taught and spoke of this gift of peace:
“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
Then later that night, Jesus reminded the disciples and us that our peace comes from Him, not this world:
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” ~John 16:33
Peace is Always Present
Peace is always a choice because Peace is always present. Jesus is always with us, thus His peace is always present. We simply need to choose to rest in it.
You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you! ~Isaiah 26:3
Our thoughts and attitude we always control. So is choosing peace instead of worry, anxiety, or fear. But this needs to be learned, practiced, and repeated so it becomes a habit. Our natural tendency may be worry or anxiety, but we can learn to choose peace instead. It’s always present because Jesus is always with us. Let’s not lean on our own understanding, but trust God is in control and choose peace.
Learning & Enlightenment
My days of dwelling in and with peace this year have been educational and as well as enlightening. I learned to recognize when I wasn’t at peace. This often prompted me to pray, release anxiety, and ask God to help me rest more in His peace. When I did, His peace always came. I also learned trying to control things in my own power did not bring peace. Only in releasing and resting in God’s control brought a greater sense of peace. I’m understanding the things of this world, while important in many ways, are not the MOST important. Recognizing God’s ways are not mine brought enlightenment to choose peace in all things because He is in all things working them for my good and His glory.
I’m still creating this habit of choosing peace. But my deeper understanding of peace as a choice in all things is something I will continue to practice. This year has cemented that choice.
As I live more and more in and with peace, I’ve also realized I want to be all in. All in with God’s peace, His plans, and giving it all to Him. So I’m choosing “All In” as my words for 2025. As with previous years, I’m a bit nervous as to what and how God will teach and show me with these words, but nonetheless, I’m all in.