The Secret to Having Peace at Home

Do you dream about peace?

Yes, world peace would be wonderful, but you’d be happy with a little peace at home. Right?

Imagine what it would be like if only . . . The kids would stop fighting. Your spouse would be more encouraging. Your house would magically clean itself, and the laundry was always fresh and in the closet.

Jesus said, “I am leaving you with a gift of peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

John 14:27

I believe that Jesus is talking about personal peace that comes from placing our complete trust in Him. I also believe that we can rob ourselves of personal peace by allowing chaos and clutter to take over our homes.

So, I’ve come up with an acrostic to help us all remember the secret to… 

Having Peace at Home through P.E.A.C.E.

• 1. P – Pray – Praying for peace is like praying for patience. Although there are times when God simply covers us with His peace, He often gives us opportunities to practice peace. When you and I find ourselves on our knees in need of lasting peace, we need God to guide and direct our choices and help us organize our lives so that peace can become a reality and not just a dream.

 I pray that the God of peace will give you every good thing you need so you can do what He wants. 

Hebrews 13:19

• 2. E – Edit – When I write, I type like a crazy woman and then I go back and delete, delete, delete.

If our to-do lists overwhelm us, it can be helpful to consider it a first draft and ask ourselves if there are things we can remove. It is impossible to be all things to all people. It’s okay to say, “no.” People will survive. I promise. I know this can be especially hard for people-pleasers like me, but it is important and necessary.

• 3. A – Ask for Help – Enlist the help of family and friends. They may not be supportive at first, but remember “if mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” So, let’s give our children “chores?” They are a good thing. Maybe they won’t clean to our standards but it’s better than it not getting done at all, or having a mom who is cranky and tired from trying to do it all herself.

Ask your family and friends for ideas and suggestions. In fact, let’s share a few here. Leave a comment and tell us some of the ways your family helps to keep your to-do list manageable.

• 4. C – Create an Atmosphere for Peace – Rev and I make clutter removal and organization continuous projects.

Less stuff means less chaos. We set aside at least one day each month to go through our house and get rid of the things we’re not using. You can also encourage your children to give away toys they don’t use and clothes they don’t wear. Make sure everything has a place, if it doesn’t, get rid of it. Then end each day with a quick walk-through to put things away and keep your home uncluttered because uncluttered spaces are less stressful.

• 5. E – Encourage Yourself – Most of these efforts happen in baby steps. I used to try to do projects like this all at once, and I would drive my family crazy. Baby steps deserve rewards.

“God will meet you where you are in order to take you where He wants you to go.”  ~ Tony Evans

God is able to give us everything we need to organize our lives and work toward peace at home.

So…

Once we’ve done some calendar editing and clutter removal . . . let’s celebrate! Plan an easy dinner of family favorites. Have a game or movie night. Lay out under the stars and talk to one another. Just be together, and declare at least a couple of hours phone-free. And set aside some time to pause and feel that peace at home you’ve been working toward.

The secret to lasting peace at home or anywhere else is refusing to surrender to the chaos. So, don’t give in and don’t give up.

Let’s pray for godly wisdom to intentionally organize your calendar and clutter in ways that will bless your family and glorify God.

A Prayer to Experience Peace at Home

Father, You are the Giver of peace. I’m tired of the stress and struggle we are feeling in our home and I know that is not Your desire for my family. Please forgive us for letting chaos run our lives and help us give ourselves completely to You.

Please help us organize our schedule and our things according to Your will. Help us love one another and help one another so that we might experience the peace You want for us. Please help us simplify the outside of our lives that we might experience both outside and inside by Your grace.

And help me remember that as long as I’m moving forward I’m making progress. Please keep me from giving up and giving in. I love You, Lord. I want to experience Your peace in my heart and as a family, we need Your peace in our home. Please help us and give us everything we need to KNOW, TRUST, and OBEY Your will. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

I love this quote from Amy Carmichael…

“Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace… If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace. In that stillness, you know what His will is.”

May we find our peace in Him and experience that peace at home with our families. God bless you!

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