Let your mind flow back to that season in your life when everything was as right as rain. You had a groove that was unshakeable, and everything you touched seemed to turn to gold, but one day, ‘right as rain turned’ to darts flying right at you. Maybe friends turned on you, relationships fell apart, and the groove you once had has now given way to frustration or heartache. Life can do this to us in a hot second. It has a way of disrupting your flow. One moment you’re savoring a cup of your favorite tea, feeling blessed and secure, and the next, someone’s words or actions try to knock you off balance. But here’s what we all need to remember: you don’t have to let anyone steal your calm.

If you’re anything like me, you probably wish that someone had spoken this truth into your life years ago, and you regret not putting up a fierce fight for your peace in Christ. We waste so much precious time fixating on what people have done or said to us. Yes, of course their hurtful words stung, and they might have even made us angry, but we have to understand that there’s a power struggle at play. Abandoning our stand on the solid foundation of Christ is exactly what the enemy is counting on us to do. 

The Peace of Christ

When you’re walking with Christ, he gives you a peace that’s stronger than any storm the world can throw your way. It’s a peace that stands firm and unshaken. For instance, when you know that a friend is a little jealous and slips in a remark aimed to cut rather than compliment or comfort—the peace of Christ causes you to remain calm and cool as a cucumber. You let it roll off your back and love her just the same. This is what it looks like to exude an unbreakable calm. It’s the peace that Christ gives us because we know and love him. He said in John 14:27 (NLT), “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

This peace is not contingent on the circumstances around us. It’s not the fleeting, temporary peace that the world offers, but the deep, enduring peace that flows from knowing Christ. When life feels chaotic, this peace anchors us, keeping our hearts steady and our minds clear. In moments of hurt, disappointment, or fear, we have the assurance that Jesus is with us, offering his calm and comfort. This peace doesn’t mean we won’t face difficulties, but it means that, even in the midst of them, we can rest in the security of his love.

Refuse to Let People Rob Your Peace

Calm is a state of tranquility where we’re free from frustration, and our emotional state is resting in God no matter how chaotic the environment may be. You’re not fazed or ruffled by situations that typically cause others to lose their cool. As believers that have faith in God, this should be our posture—a testimony to the world of His unwavering presence and grace. As Colossians 3:15 (NLT) reminds us, “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”

This peace, which comes from Christ, is not something that is easily stolen or disrupted. But the reality is that people and circumstances will try to rob us of that peace. Someone might say something hurtful, or a situation might unfold in a way that frustrates us. However, when we allow Christ’s peace to rule our hearts, we refuse to let others, or the circumstances around us, dictate our emotional state. We rise above the chaos, keeping our hearts steady in our powerful Savior.

Let’s not forget, though, that we must proceed with caution and guard our hearts around certain people. Psalm 10:2 (NLT) says, “The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead.” We are often unaware when people come into the picture disguised as the best thing since sliced bread, but they are desperately wicked at heart. Sent by the enemy to beguile and bamboozle us, they don’t waste any time gaining our trust and support. But here’s the thing, because they don’t know and love God intimately through Jesus Christ, they can be manipulated by the enemy to try to use us abominably.  

2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that God didn’t give us a spirit of fear; He gave us a spirit of love, power, and self-discipline. Therefore, we can’t walk around quaking in our boots about the next ploy of the evil one. Instead, we’re to stand strong on the foundation of Christ and guard our hearts with his peace.

Taking Your Stress to the Right Place

God doesn’t expect you to take it on the chin when people break your calm. He knows how it feels to be hurt, frustrated, and misunderstood. This is why He tells us in 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT), “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” When people try to break our calm, we don’t have to act as if nothing has happened. Something did happen, and it was meant to disturb our peace. The answer is to take it to the right place, which is to God. Pour out your frustrations to Him, and let Him take care of the rest. And on those hurtful moments, when we’re injured to the point of heartbreak, we can trust that our Heavenly Father is the Healer of broken hearts. Psalm 147:3 (NLT) tells us, “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”

You don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Psalm 55:22 (NLT) reminds us, “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” This is where we must place our trust. So, when people are trying their level best to drive you crazy, don’t be rocked, and don’t allow anyone to break your calm. Take a step back, breathe, pray, and let God handle the rest. Remember always that you are a carrier of God’s peace, and that peace is far stronger than any storm life can bring your way. Keep your eyes on Jesus, respond with grace, and protect your peace like the precious gift it is. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Don’t Let Anyone Break Your Calm”, written for Springfield Fellowship © 2024. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.