Fruit Of The Spirit - Resting In God's Nearness

Before my recent trip to Senegal, Africa, I was uneasy.  I didn't know what to expect. I was worried about a number of things, like flight delays, catching some unknown disease, but mostly being out of my comfort zone on an almost constant basis. 

But when I got on the plane and settled in, I silently prayed a short prayer to God, which went something like this:  "I have no idea what is ahead, but I'm tired of this feeling of uncertainty. It's too much.  You take it."  

In that moment of letting go, I felt something wash over me.  It was a feeling of relief that came from letting it all go--all the worry, anxiety, dread faded away.  I have to say, it doesn't always work like that for me, but for some reason, it did in that moment.  

For the rest of the trip, I had a sense of peace I couldn't fully understand, but I embraced it nonetheless.  I found myself able to be more fully present, to be in the moment, and to spend my time seeking to learn, grow, and to experience God's presence in ways I never expected.  

This got me thinking, as these things often do, about what it means to feel the peace of God and why it's so hard to do so most of the time.  

Peace is often imagined as the absence of conflict, but the peace promised by God is far more robust. Biblical peace—shalom—is wholeness, presence, and deep rootedness in God. Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (John 14:27). This peace does not erase difficulty; it accompanies us through it.

Paul describes peace as something that “surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). It cannot be explained or controlled. It arrives when we release our grip on outcomes and entrust ourselves to God’s care.

Peace grows when prayer becomes less about managing life and more about resting in God’s presence. Psalm 46:10 invites us to “Be still, and know that I am God.” Stillness is not inactivity; it is trust. It is choosing to believe that God is already at work.

Peace is fruit, not reward. It grows as we practice surrender, prayer, and attentiveness. It settles into our lives slowly, shaping how we respond rather than react.

Prayer
Prince of Peace, quiet our anxious hearts. Help us rest in your presence and trust your care. Amen.

Reflection Questions

1. What disrupts your sense of peace most often?

2. How does prayer shape your experience of peace?

3. Where might God be inviting you to rest?