Peace, Be Still
Monday, May 12, 2025 by Melissa McLaughlin

Ding! A sign lit up at the front of the plane—“Fasten Your Seatbelts.” The airplane rattled and jiggled our bodies. I leaned back. My head vibrated and shook against the headrest. My fingers clenched the armrest cushion.

A quick prayer slipped through my lips, “Jesus, help us.”

Soon, the pilot’s soothing voice came over the intercom, “We are experiencing turbulence. Please remain seated with your seatbelts secured.”

Most of the flights I have taken included some level of bouncing and bumping along the way. However, on this trip, the turbulence brought abrupt lifts, lurches, and drops, causing my stomach to swim.

At that moment, I considered the amount of trust required to fly in a plane. I trust the airway controllers to manage the schedules. I trust the engineers and mechanics who design and service the planes. I trust the stewardesses and staff to manage the people on board. Most of all, I trust the pilots to fly and land the plane safely.

But over all this, I entrust my whole life to God.

Before all, throughout all, and when all else fails, God sustains my life. Minute by minute, day by day.

Yet, sometimes, I forget that although humans do their best, God upholds the universe. My peace comes from Him.

A Scripture passage from Mark reminds us of this powerful truth.

Mark 4:35-41 (ESV) – On that day, when evening had come, he [Jesus] said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they [the disciples] took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

What storms in life are you facing today? Perhaps a chronic health issue, a loved one’s passing, a difficult relationship, an addiction or life-controlling habit, a financial crisis or job loss, or something else.

“Peace! Be still!” With these words, Jesus silenced the raging wind and waves.

“Peace! Be still!” Jesus quells our inner storms as we release our grip and trust Him.

Peace, be still . Rest in the nail-scarred embrace of our Savior and King. The universe bows low before Him. At His command, the earth obeys. May we do the same.

May our hearts be at peace knowing that the One who stilled the wind and waves can calm our fiercest soul tempest. Our circumstances do not change His authority, His goodness, or His grace.

We can trust Him. Jesus proved His love on the cross and His power by the empty grave. Who else is like Him?

God offers soul-serenity when life’s howling seas and vicious winds threaten to capsize our hearts.

Peace, be still. The Lord is on His throne. And He cares for you.

What Scriptures remind you of Christ’s peace?

Psalm 46:10 (ESV) – Be still, and know that I am God.

Habakkuk 2:20 (ESV) – But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.

Psalm 118:6 (ESV) – The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.

Invitation for my readers:

Would you like to draw closer to Christ and experience more of His peace? Are you looking for a fresh way to read the Bible? Or maybe you’d like to be reminded of Jesus woven throughout the Scriptures.

The Whole Bible Devotional: Seeing Jesus in Every Book of the Bible was written for you!

Available at Amazon, CLC Publications, Barnes and Noble, and other retailers.

Each book comes with a free downloadable Small Group Study Guide. This is a great choice for your small group, Bible study, or Sunday School class!

Also Available on YouVersion:

Portions of The Whole Bible Devotional are also available for free on the YouVersion Bible App! Grab a friend and invite them to read with you! May the Bible come alive as you read and pray.

Click here for “Praying From the Gospels“ YouVersion 4-day Bible plan.
Click here for “Praying Words of Wisdom From the Bible“ YouVersion 5-day Bible plan.
Click here for “Praying From Paul’s Letters” YouVersion 13-day Bible plan.

I hope you’ll check it out and be blessed!

Spiritual Life

Join author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin, and grow in Truthful Grace as we ignite the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit in our hearts, minds, prayers and lives. Grow in Christ, grow in the knowledge of His Word, the Bible, grow the passion in your prayers.

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