Can you believe it? Another year has come and gone, and here we are at the start of a brand-new one. I imagine that for some of us, that feels exciting—a chance to reset and start fresh. For others, it feels like the same old cycle of busyness, stress, and trying to keep our heads above water. But here’s a question: What if this year could be different? What if, instead of chaos, this year could be filled with God’s peace?

Life is noisy. There’s always something demanding your attention—work deadlines, family commitments, the endless scroll on your phone. It’s exhausting, right? I know I’ve found myself wondering, Is this just how life is supposed to be? Always busy, always chaotic? But then I remember what Jesus said in John 14:27: “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.”

Let that sink in for a minute. Jesus is offering you peace—not the temporary kind that the world gives, but real, lasting peace. So, why does it feel so hard to grab hold of it? Have you ever felt like peace is just out of reach? I think it’s because we’re so used to running on autopilot, caught up in the chaos, that we forget to slow down and make room for God’s peace.

So, how do you do it? How do you cultivate calm in the middle of the busyness? Here’s a little of what I’ve learned. First, it starts with letting go. I mean, how often do you try to control everything? I feel like I’m talking to myself right now. It’s been one of the biggest struggles for me. I’ve feared that if I wasn’t in control of every little thing, that I’d lose control of everything. What a lie. What a waste of time! It’s exhausting, isn’t it? When I finally surrendered those things to God, it created space for His peace to settle in. Second, be intentional about stillness. I’ll admit, this one’s hard for me too. Sitting quietly feels unproductive, but it’s in those quiet moments with God that your heart can breathe. And finally, you have to take a hard look at what you’re allowing into your life. Are you filling up on God’s Word and time with Him, or are you drowning in social media, news, and everything else?

Here’s a question for you: What would your life look like if you started living from a place of peace instead of chaos? Imagine starting your day with calm instead of stress, trusting God with what’s ahead instead of worrying about everything that could go wrong. It’s not just wishful thinking—it’s a promise He’s made to us if we’re willing to trust Him.

So, what’s one thing you can do today to invite more of God’s peace into your life? Maybe it’s spending a few quiet moments in prayer before the day gets crazy. Maybe it’s saying “no” to something that’s pulling you in the wrong direction. Or, maybe it’s leaning on a friend when you’re struggling. Whatever it is, I encourage you to take that step.

This doesn’t have to be just another chaotic year. It can be the year where you and I discover what it really means to live in God’s peace. Let’s do this together—one step, one prayer, one moment of calm at a time.