Known by Their Fruit: Peace

Matthew 7:16-20: "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them".

Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

It sounds so… peaceful, doesn’t it? But if you’ve ever tried to find peace when life is falling apart, you know it’s no easy feat. The kind of peace Paul talks about in Galatians 5:22, though, is something different. In Greek, the word for peace here is eirene, which means way more than just the absence of conflict. It’s that deep, steady calm in your spirit that keeps you grounded even when everything around you is a hot mess. Imagine sitting in a boat during a storm, with waves crashing everywhere, and somehow feeling completely unbothered because you know the One who calms storms.

Jesus nailed this when He said, “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” (John 14:27). Translation? Jesus isn’t offering us peace that’s here today and gone tomorrow; He’s offering the kind of peace that sticks with you no matter what hits the fan.

What True Peace Looks Like (Hint: It’s Not a Bubble Bath)

Biblical peace doesn’t come from pretending everything’s fine. It’s a deep assurance that God is in control even when life feels out of control. It’s that supernatural calm you have when, instead of panicking, you’re handing it over to the God who sees the beginning and the end.

Think of Jesus during the storm on the Sea of Galilee. The disciples are freaking out, the waves are crashing, and Jesus? He’s taking a nap. That’s eirene peace—a peace that doesn’t make sense but shows up anyway. It’s not just feeling okay for a moment; it’s resting in the fact that God’s got the big picture, even if we can’t see it.

Growing in Peace (Or, How to Stress Less and Trust More)

Real talk: peace like this doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a fruit that needs some serious cultivation. Here’s how I’m learning to grow in peace (emphasis on “learning”):

1. Hand Over the Reins: Peace starts with realizing we’re not in control—and that’s actually a good thing. When we surrender our worries to God, we make space for Him to fill us with His peace. Let’s be real, He’s way better at running the universe than we are.

2. Anchor Yourself in God’s Promises: When life is shaky, God’s promises are our foundation. The more we remind ourselves of His faithfulness, the less the little stuff (and even the big stuff) can shake us.

3. Practice Being Present: So often, we lose our peace by obsessing over the future or reliving the past. Peace is about being present, trusting that God has tomorrow covered, so we can focus on today.

4. Let Go of People-Pleasing: News flash: we can’t make everyone happy, and we don’t have to. True peace comes from knowing that we’re living to please God, not everyone else around us. Take a breath and let that one sink in.

Becoming People of Peace

Remember, Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). When the world sees us staying calm while everything’s on fire, it speaks volumes. A life filled with peace is a witness—a silent but powerful message that we know the Prince of Peace Himself. Imagine the impact of being that one unshakable person others look to when chaos hits.

So, here’s to embracing a peace that goes beyond circumstances. May we learn to sit in the boat and stay calm, knowing who holds our lives—even when the storm’s raging. Because real peace isn’t about avoiding the waves; it’s about knowing the One who walks on water.