January 23, 2026
Peace in the Storm
KRISTEL ACEVEDO
Lee en español
“My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” Isaiah 32:18 (ESV)
I’m a mom of two kids only a year-and-a-half apart in age. I still remember the days when they were both in diapers and throwing tantrums — often at the exact same time. I never knew two tiny humans could be so loud.
Those early years felt like a blur. While still emerging from the postpartum fog, surrounded by little feet and constant noise, I became obsessed with peace because it felt so elusive.
One Sunday, I heard a pastor preach on Isaiah 32:18: “My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” That sounded like heaven to me — peace, quiet, rest? Yes, please!
I asked my husband to make a poster of that verse and hung it by our front door. Now, I thought, peace will inhabit this space. Our home will become an oasis in an uncertain world.
That didn’t happen. Instead, our house felt anything but peaceful.
The world outside didn’t seem peaceful either. Political division, natural disasters, social media outrage … If everything around me was in chaos, where would I find peace? And how could I trust a God who had promised peace but didn’t seem to deliver?
I bet you’ve prayed for your circumstances to change so you could finally have some peace. I know I have. But then I think about Jesus. How did He find peace in the garden of Gethsemane? On His way to the cross? As He carried the weight of sin itself?
Maybe peace isn’t found in our circumstances.
Through the cross, Jesus made peace between us and God, which makes peace with others possible too. But peace isn’t just something we receive from Him — the pursuit of peace is also a daily, intentional choice. As followers of Christ, we’re empowered by the Spirit to model our lives after Jesus, who always chose peace even in suffering.
One day, overwhelmed and defeated, I called my abuelita to hear her reassuring voice. She said, “No hay una hoja que sople en el viento sin que Dios la haga.” In English, this means, “There isn’t a leaf that blows in the wind without God moving it.”
My grandmother lives in peace knowing she has a good God who holds the whole world in His hands. I know peace like this comes from years of sitting at the Lord’s feet, bowing her head in prayer, and walking with her church and family through many hardships.
The myth we believe is that peace comes from our circumstances. The truth is that peace is Jesus Himself. We may search high and low for peace in all the wrong places, but it can only truly be found in Jesus.
When we center our lives on Him, we can be truly at peace no matter the storm that swirls around us.
Father, help us to remember that Jesus is our peace in the midst of the storm. Empower us with Your Spirit to pursue peace in our everyday lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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For more from Kristel, grab a copy of her new Bible study, Liberated at the Cross (which is also available in Spanish).
ENGAGE
Kristel is a wife, mom, ministry leader at her local church, and author. She loves connecting with other women on Instagram, where she shares encouragement, Scripture, and pictures of her cute dog.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Mark 4:37-40, “A great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher! Don’t you care that we’re going to die?’ He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Silence! Be still!’ The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Then he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?’” (CSB)
In the past, what circumstances have you looked to for peace? How can you build your faith to look to Jesus for peace instead?
We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.
© 2026 by Kristel Acevedo. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
