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January 23, 2026<\/span><\/p>\n Peace in the Storm<\/strong><\/span> Lee en espa\u00f1ol<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMy people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.\u201d Isaiah 32:18 (ESV)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n I\u2019m 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 \u2014 often at the exact same time. I never knew two tiny humans could be so loud.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n One Sunday, I heard a pastor preach on Isaiah 32:18: \u201cMy people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.\u201d<\/em> That sounded like heaven to me \u2014 peace, quiet, rest? Yes, please!<\/p>\n I asked my husband to make a poster of that verse and hung it by our front door. Now<\/em>, I thought, peace will inhabit this space. Our home will become an oasis in an uncertain world.<\/em><\/p>\n That didn\u2019t happen. Instead, our house felt anything but peaceful.<\/p>\n The world outside didn\u2019t seem peaceful either. Political division, natural disasters, social media outrage \u2026 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\u2019t seem to deliver?<\/p>\n I bet you\u2019ve 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?<\/p>\n Maybe peace isn\u2019t found in our circumstances.<\/p>\n 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 \u2014 the pursuit of peace is also a daily, intentional choice. As followers of Christ, we\u2019re empowered by the Spirit to model our lives after Jesus, who always chose peace even in suffering.<\/p>\n One day, overwhelmed and defeated, I called my abuelita<\/em> to hear her reassuring voice. She said, \u201cNo hay una hoja que sople en el viento sin que Dios la haga.\u201d<\/em> In English, this means, \u201cThere isn\u2019t a leaf that blows in the wind without God moving it.”<\/p>\n 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\u2019s feet, bowing her head in prayer, and walking with her church and family through many hardships.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n When we center our lives on Him, we can be truly at peace no matter the storm that swirls around us.<\/p>\n 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\u2019 Name, Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n For more from Kristel, grab a copy of her new Bible study, Liberated at the Cross<\/em> (which is also available in Spanish).<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Mark 4:37-40, \u201cA 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, \u2018Teacher! Don\u2019t you care that we\u2019re going to die?\u2019 He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, \u2018Silence! Be still!\u2019 The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Then he said to them, \u2018Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?\u2019\u201d (CSB)<\/p>\n In the past, what circumstances have you looked to for peace? How can you build your faith to look to Jesus for peace instead?<\/p>\n We\u2019d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.<\/p>\n \u00a9 2026 by Kristel Acevedo. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n Proverbs 31 Ministries
KRISTEL ACEVEDO<\/span><\/p>\nOUR FAVORITE THINGS<\/h4>\n
ENGAGE<\/h4>\n
FOR DEEPER STUDY<\/h4>\n
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Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org<\/strong><\/p>\n