Read John 14:27 NIV in your Bible

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

This verse talks about the peace God gives to us. What does the word peace mean? It means to have freedom from disturbance, tranquility, or to be calm. When Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled" he didn't mean your physical heart. He meant that He doesn't want us to be full of worry and anxiety about what is going to happen to us or our families. Worry steals the joy and peace God wants each of us to have in our lives. Lastly, Jesus tells us not to be afraid. We can do that by making the choice to focus on God instead of our fears. God is bigger and stronger than anything we might be facing that is causing us to be fearful.

The world tries to offer us peace through different things like exercise, food, or zoning out on a tv show or video game for hours on end. However, none of those things will truly give us the long-lasting and life-giving peace God is offering to us. The world will always try distract us by offering a counterfeit or fake version of what God has already given to us. God's gifts are always better than anything the world has to offer to us.

1. Read Galatians 5:22-23 and think about the ways the other fruits of the Spirit listed in that passage help us to grow the fruit of peace in our lives.
2. Write down a list of all the things you are afraid of that are keeping you from experiencing God's peace.
3. Pray and ask God to help you handle and overcome your fears with His help so you can experience His peace.