A Declaration of Peace

I haven’t always walked in peace.

There have been times in my life when I’ve walked right on the edge – reactive, overextended, bracing for the next emotional hit. Peace was something I prayed for (kind of) but rarely experienced. It felt like this unreachable state, despite me declaring “Peace is the goal“.

Yet, over time – and especially in this season – I’ve learned something:

Peace is not passive.
Peace is a posture.
Peace is power.

Recently, I picked back up The Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer – a study I started nine years ago and never finished. This time, it hits differently!

I realized that a war had been declared against my spirit and my household and I was ignorant to the weapons that were available to me and how to really use them to fight. I’ve just finished Week 4 of the study which focuses on the shoes of peace. God pressed some truths deep into my heart as he reminded me that this season is sponsored by, and funded by, Him.

• The Warfare: The enemy wanted – and still wants – my mind, my mouth, my motivation and the same for those in my household. He showed himself pretty boldly and like the regulators, I had to mount up! (Warren G fans?)
• The Shift: I began praying and studying everything I could find on spiritual warfare and the weapons to fight them. Slowly, I begin applying what I was learning. Now, this is not an overnight process and the battles never really stop. So, I had to learn to surrender completely to God. Not an easy task – we likely need a whole blog series on that one.
• The Evidence:
  • This is a big one – I speak less and pray more!
  • I feel steadier in uncertainty.
  • I’m not easily rattled.
  • The fruit of peace is showing up before answers.
• The Declaration: That’s when God showed me some truths and really pressed them on my heart. I wasn’t just receiving His peace. I was walking in it!

Let’s keep it a buck…

I do not have this all figured out. This is not a “how to find peace in 5 steps” kind of post. This is a day-by-day – sometimes moment-by-moment – walk. Some days, I have to choose peace 10 times before noon.

The good news is I’m not where I used to be. My attitude and responses (or lack thereof) have changed. This is not because of some magic formula – it’s because of a faithful God and a few intentional steps that anchor me. When I follow these steps, I notice a huge difference:

1. Begin the day with prayer and gratitude.
   I speak those things that I’m grateful for. I thank God for them. I read a devotional, journal, and commit my day to God.
2. Pray when anxiety comes in.
   I pray the “whatevers” of Philippians 4:8 to keep my mind focused during these times.
3. Pay attention to my triggers.
   Emotional tension and physical tightness in my chest are telltale signs. Knowing my thoughts or circumstances in these moments let me know where I still need healing.
4. I watch my mouth.
   WHEW! This is a big one. My tongue is deadly and I can performed emotional surgery with my words alone. Because I know this, I’ve had to allow God to lead me. I don’t need to clap back. I don’t need to prove my point.
5. I protect – and pray for – my environment.
   Chaos has been made completely uncomfortable in my home. I constantly rebuke the presence of the enemy around, and inside of, my home. Think old school tag – “All around my base is out!
6. I stay grounded in the Word of God.
   Not just for study – for survival. Scripture, devotionals, sermons, books. If God’s truth is in it, I want to absorb it.

All of this led to what I now call my Peace Manifesto – a declaration birthed in spiritual warfare, emotional surrender, and bold authority. You can read it here.

This is not a poetic piece of work. It’s a weapon!

It’s yours to use if you’re ready to walk in it.

Because what we inherit is just the beginning…

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Here are some Scriptures that anchor this journey: