The Gift of Peace: Calm in the Chaos

Zaressa Richardson
Dec 8, 2025
6 min read

The Fine Print Series — Week 2 of “Unwrapping Gifts from Heaven”

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you."

Last week, we unwrapped The Gift of Presence: God with us. Did you take a moment to “unwrap” it personally? Maybe you journaled, whispered a prayer of gratitude, or simply paused to notice His nearness. However you slowed down, I pray it reminded you that He is not distant. He is faithful.

This week, we’re unwrapping The Gift of Peace.

When you hear the word peace, what’s your first thought? A quiet room, a canceled meeting, or five notification-free minutes? Those moments of calm can feel wonderful. They give a sense of relief and rest that we all crave.

But may I challenge you to go a little deeper with me today?

Let’s look at peace not as a moment we stumble into, but as a heavenly gift wrapped by the hands of our Savior and offered to every believer. Together we’re going to unwrap it and discover what true, lasting peace really looks like.

Because here is the truth. Those small moments of calm are nice, but the peace Jesus gives is completely different. It does not wait for perfect conditions. It holds you steady when conditions are anything but perfect.

Jesus said,

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” — John 14:27

That one verse reveals something powerful. There are two kinds of peace. The world offers one kind, and Jesus offers another.

So today, let’s read the fine print of the Word and make sure the peace we are holding onto is the real thing, the authentic gift of peace, not a counterfeit.

What the World Calls Peace

Let’s expose the counterfeit.

How do we recognize a counterfeit? By knowing what the real thing looks like, feels like, and by actually experiencing it.

Sometimes the enemy will let us get close enough to the truth just to get a taste, hoping we’ll stop there satisfied with a sample but never experiencing the fullness of the gift.

So today, let’s pull back the layers and uncover what the world calls peace. You do know he is the prince of this world, right? (John 12:31) Let’s take a look at his version, and then compare it to the truth.

The world’s version of peace usually means relief, distraction, or control.

Relief: “If this problem goes away, I’ll feel better.”
Distraction: “If I stay busy or entertained, maybe the anxiety will quiet down."
Control: “If I can plan out every detail, then I won’t be caught off guard.”

It works for a moment, but it never lasts. As soon as plans change, people disappoint, or emotions shift, that false peace begins to fade.

Worldly peace depends on the outside settling down before the inside can rest.

How it shows up in real life:

You finally get caught up on all your bills and feel like you’re in a good place, but then your car breaks down or something at home needs repairing. The confidence you had in your bank account suddenly disappears.
You binge a show to “turn your brain off,” but the noise returns the moment the credits roll.
You avoid hard conversations to keep the peace, but deep down the tension only grows stronger.

The enemy loves this cycle because it keeps you chasing peace instead of receiving it.

The Peace That Guards and Guides

Now that we have exposed the counterfeit, let’s unwrap the real thing.

Philippians 4:7 says,

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The peace of God is not fragile or fleeting. It is strong. It stands guard over your heart like a soldier on duty. When the storms of life try to shake your faith, peace steps in as your protector.

Unlike the world’s version, God’s peace does not wait for the outside to calm down. It keeps you steady while everything around you is still moving.

Think about that word guard. It means to protect, to stand watch, to keep safe. God’s peace is active, not passive. It doesn’t just sit quietly in the background. It pushes back against anxiety, worry, and fear.

When life feels unpredictable and your mind starts racing, peace reminds you,

“God is still in control.”

When emotions try to take over, peace says, “Be still, He’s already working it out.”

The peace of God is not found in ignoring reality. It is found in trusting God with reality.

Real-life picture:

When my father called to tell me the doctor said he had cancer, I had two choices. I could go down the path of “what if,” or I could choose to trust the Word of God.

As I said earlier, God’s peace is not passive. We have to stir ourselves up in faith and declare the Word of the Lord.

Peace looks at the report and reminds God of His promises:

“Lord, You healed my father two thousand years ago on the cross. I believe this healing will manifest in his life now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

During that season, we placed our full trust in God because we knew He already had everything worked out. There was a peace that I cannot explain in human words, but I want you to know this, my father is cancer-free today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glory to God. Hallelujah.

God’s peace does more than quiet the noise around you. It quiets the storm within you.

How to Spot Counterfeit Peace

Let’s be honest, not everything that feels peaceful is from God. Sometimes what we call peace is really just avoidance, distraction, or control wrapped in quiet.

So how can we tell the difference between real peace and a counterfeit? Here are a few quick ways to test it.

1. The Source Test: Where did this peace come from?

Did it come through prayer and time in the Word, or did it come from me trying to escape what God is asking me to face?

Real peace is birthed in His presence, not in avoidance.

2. The Staying-Power Test: Does this peace last when plans change, or does it fall apart the moment something doesn’t go my way?

The peace of God doesn’t evaporate when pressure rises. It anchors you through it.

3. The Holiness Test: Does this “peace” ask me to compromise what God says?

Real peace never asks you to sin. It may convict you, it may stretch you, but it will never lead you away from truth.

4. The Fruit Test: What happens to me after I choose this peace?

Do I become more gentle, patient, and clear-minded, or more irritable, distant, and numb?

True peace produces the fruit of the Spirit.

Counterfeit peace leaves you empty when the feeling fades.

If what you are holding fails these tests, it did not come from the Prince of Peace.It may look right on the surface, but it is only a knockoff, a temporary calm that keeps you from the real gift waiting to be unwrapped.

Prayer of Discernment

Father, thank You for being the Prince of Peace and the Giver of truth. Search my heart and show me where I have settled for counterfeit peace instead of the real thing.

If I’ve found comfort in control, distraction, or avoidance, help me to release it and return to You.

Teach me to discern Your peace from the world’s version. Let Your Word be my guide and Your Spirit be my reminder when false peace tries to sneak in. When life feels loud, draw me back to the stillness of Your presence where real peace lives.

I choose the peace that guards and guides, not the one that fades when the pressure rises. Thank You for giving me a peace that this world cannot take away.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.