On Disquieting Days: Learning Christ's Peace from Colossians 3

On Disquieting Days: Learning Christ's Peace from Colossians 3

Anxiety doesn’t only arrive right before a major event. Even in seemingly uneventful days, hearts can be easily shaken. A delayed reply can send thoughts racing, and when there’s a backlog of tasks yet our bodies and minds are exhausted, even small issues can feel like they topple our stability. That's why we often see peace as a problem to be fixed once and for all. However, the Bible’s depiction of peace goes far deeper and is much clearer. Biblical peace isn’t merely a fleeting emotion caused by calm situations, but a tangible sense of security enjoyed by those in right relationship with God.

The starting point is always the gospel. Paul states in Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Christian peace doesn’t begin with self-suggestions or temporary comfort. It originates from the truth that through Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, we are reconciled to God. Our justification is by faith, not works. The clearer this gospel foundation becomes, the more our hearts find peace rooted not in superficial feelings but in a stable place they can return to even amid upheaval.

Today, I particularly want to focus on Colossians 3:15: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Here, Paul doesn’t speak of peace merely as comfort in the heart. The phrase “let it rule” implies that Christ’s peace should judge and govern from the center of our minds. In other words, it’s about preventing fear, impatience, or self-assurance from seizing control and allowing Christ’s peace to lead our thoughts and attitudes.

Colossians was written to a church surrounded by false teachings and mixture of beliefs. Some claimed that Christ alone was not enough, seeking stability through visible regulations and knowledge. But Paul’s message is the opposite: fullness is only found in Christ, and believers live as new persons in Him. Therefore, peace does not naturally grow by clinging to something extra but by trusting in what Christ has already accomplished. The more anxious we become, the more we tend to try to control everything. But faith calls us to loosen our grip on control and remain under the Lord’s sovereignty.

This peace isn’t about ignoring reality. The Bible certainly doesn’t deny sorrow, worry, or tears. The Psalms often include confessions of a trembling heart. Yet, believers do not settle in these tremors as their final conclusion. Isaiah 26:3 states, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Spiritual calmness doesn’t depend on being inherently strong. It’s rooted in trusting the Lord, enabling God’s peace to guard our hearts. Knowing that peace isn’t based on our personality or strength provides great comfort.

In everyday life, how can these words be applied? Suppose someone faces an important presentation or report. Preparations are made, but the outcome is uncertain, and the fear of a small mistake lingering makes hearts overly sensitive. In such moments, hearts often swing between two extremes: an excessive desire to control everything or helplessness, feeling carried away by anxiety. Yet, Christ’s peace stabilizes us between these two. Our responsibility is to faithfully handle what we must do, but not to seize results as if they belonged to us—maintaining a clear distinction between tasks and trusting God with the outcomes. Recognizing the difference between what to do and what to entrust is a vital fruit of biblical peace.

During anxious days, it can be helpful to first write down what worries us rather than merely repeating that everything will be fine. Calmly reflect on what fears us, what we don’t want to lose, and why this situation feels so destabilizing. Then, bring these issues before the Word. Colossians 3 emphasizes that peace and gratitude should go hand in hand with abundance in the Word. Verse 16 continues, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,” showing that peace doesn’t emerge from an empty heart but grows from a heart filled with the Word. A peace without the Word can’t last long, but a heart filled with the gospel can remain steady even when shaken. Consistent reading and meditation on Scripture are thus essential—perhaps through Bible reading or Today’s Word—to maintain this rhythm.

Gratitude is also vital. It’s not a technique to diminish problems but a faithful attitude that remembers the grace God has already given. When anxious, we tend to fixate only on potential losses and quickly forget the blessings received. But for believers, the greatest gift—salvation—is already ours. In Christ, we have been reconciled with God, freed from condemnation, and adopted as His children calling Him “Father.” Remembering this makes current struggles heavy, but they cannot dominate our lives.

Furthermore, peace is deeply connected to obedience. Psalm 119:165 states, “Great peace have those who love your law.” Our unease isn’t always environmental; sometimes it’s rooted in delayed obedience, unresolved sins, or lingering resentment. At such times, the solution isn’t vague comfort but repentance and renewal. Taking sin lightly won’t allow peace. Conversely, standing honestly before God, admitting wrongs, and turning back restores hearts even if external situations don’t change immediately.

Peace isn’t an emotion that overnight magically appears; it’s cultivated through a heart grounded in the Word and faith. In times when news, comparisons, and worries inundate us from morning till night, we must consciously fix our gaze. Pausing to read a Scripture portion slowly, noticing repeated words, and meditating on God’s character can make a surprising difference. Though these practices might not instantly eliminate all anxiety, they steadily shift our hearts’ center. We become less swept away by the same problems and more capable of making wise judgments. For those seeking to develop a consistent habit of Scripture reading, articles like can help find a rhythm that suits you.