Protecting Your Peace: Aligning Mind, Body, and Spirit with Christ

by Sarah Shanahan

Have you ever thought about the difference between having a moment of peace and living a life of peace? We all experience fleeting moments where everything feels calm—maybe it’s a quiet morning with coffee or a few minutes of solitude after a long day. But those moments, while refreshing, aren’t the same as living in peace. True peace—the kind that transcends circumstances and guards our hearts and minds—only comes from God. It’s not just about finding a peaceful moment; it’s about building a life that’s rooted in the peace He offers, a peace that sustains us in the chaos of life.

For a while, my family was just surviving, not thriving. There have been health struggles, my daughter’s sensory issues and overstimulation, and my son grappling with information overload from all the noise the world is throwing at him—none of which aligns with the faith we hold dear. My husband, too, has faced his own personal struggles, and all of these things have unintentionally shifted our family dynamic. We were all feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, and constantly on edge. It felt like we could never fully rest or experience peace in our daily lives.

The first shift came when I cried out to God in my frustration and pain and heard Him whisper something that stopped me: “You haven’t been protecting your peace.”

It stung, honestly. I thought I was doing all the right things—working hard, trying to meet everyone’s expectations, staying busy—but peace was nowhere to be found. What I hadn’t realized was that I was allowing the overwhelming advice from all around me to pull me in so many directions, none of which led me closer to the peace I longed for. Instead of being intentional about my peace, I had let it slip through the cracks. It took stepping back, reevaluating everything, and praying for guidance to realize that protecting peace isn’t something that just happens; it takes time and intentionality.

As I began to focus more on my relationship with Christ and less on the external noise, I noticed small but significant changes in my family. My husband and I started having more meaningful conversations about our priorities, and we began setting better boundaries. We stopped letting the chaos of life dictate our peace. I noticed that even in the morning rush, which used to be a stressful time for all of us, we began working together as a team. These intentional changes didn’t happen all at once, but they started to make a noticeable difference. And it wasn’t just me—it was our whole family finding a renewed sense of peace together.

We realized that there are many other things in our lives that needed intentional shifts as well. We began reevaluating everything—what we allowed to fill our time, how we communicated with each other, and how we nurtured our individual relationships with Christ. These intentional steps, though small, have begun to lead us into a life that is becoming more rooted in peace, and that peace is changing the way we live and relate to each other.

“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

In this verse, Jesus offers peace that is not like the world’s peace. The world’s peace is often based on temporary circumstances, calmness, or the absence of conflict. But the peace Jesus gives is not dependent on the state of our external surroundings. It is a peace that transcends all understanding. It’s a peace that remains even in the midst of struggle, pain, or uncertainty. This peace is a gift that comes from knowing Jesus personally and deeply, from being rooted in Him.

For me, this peace was something I had to actively choose. It wasn’t something that just fell into my lap. I had to realign my priorities and ask God to help me guard my peace. I had to step away from the chaos, reflect on what mattered most, and focus on my relationship with Him.

The Gift of Peace and How to Protect It

1. Don’t Stop Searching for Peace

Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Peace isn’t something that falls into our laps—it’s something we have to search for and actively seek. In the busyness of life, it can be easy to neglect our spiritual well-being. We forget that peace is found when we seek God’s presence, when we immerse ourselves in His Word, and when we open our hearts to Him in prayer.

Peace is a direct result of pursuing God’s presence. Isaiah 26:3 promises us, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” The key to this peace is trust—trust in God’s character, His promises, and His power. When we trust God completely, we experience peace, even when everything around us seems chaotic.

2. Discipline Your Mind, Body, and Spirit

When we think about the word “discipline,” many of us may immediately associate it with something negative—rules, restrictions, or punishment. But discipline, in the context of our spiritual journey, is far from being punitive. Discipline is about choosing to engage in practices that align us with God’s will and bring about transformation. It’s about intentionally creating rhythms in our lives that enable us to experience God’s peace more fully.

Discipline is not about perfection; it’s about intention. It’s choosing, day after day, to align our thoughts, our bodies, and our spirits with the direction God has for us. It’s about developing healthy habits that keep us connected to His peace, even when life feels chaotic.

In the context of this study, discipline is a tool for living intentionally in mind, body, and spirit. As we choose to be intentional with our time, thoughts, and actions, we create the space for God’s peace to enter and transform every part of our lives. It’s not something we do once and forget; it’s a constant practice of realigning ourselves to the peace that only comes from Him.

In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul instructs us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This passage highlights how discipline, through consistent prayer, petition, and thanksgiving, leads to God’s peace guarding our hearts and minds. When we choose to be disciplined in these practices, we are not just seeking peace; we are actively cultivating it in our lives.

Intentionality in Mind, Body, and Spirit

Being intentional in our mind, body, and spirit means we are choosing to make space for God’s peace through focused action. It requires discipline in how we manage our thoughts, our bodies, and how we nurture our relationship with Christ.

Mind: To protect our peace, we need to be intentional about the thoughts we allow to occupy our minds. We choose to focus on what is true, pure, and lovely (Philippians 4:8). This takes discipline in redirecting our thoughts when negativity or anxiety starts to creep in.

Body: Our physical health also plays a role in our peace. When we neglect our bodies, it becomes harder to maintain emotional and spiritual balance. Discipline in taking care of our bodies—getting adequate rest, exercising, eating healthily—prepares us to experience peace more fully in our lives.

Spirit: Above all, we must discipline our spirits. This means regularly making time for prayer, reflection, and Scripture reading. When we are intentional in these practices, we invite God’s peace to saturate our hearts, guiding us in all areas of life.

Choosing God’s peace requires us to be intentional about nurturing peace in every area of our lives. Discipline is not about striving or achieving; it is about consistently choosing to engage with God’s peace through the practices He’s given us. When we make the decision to invest in these practices, we begin to experience the fullness of the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Practical Tips to Get Started

1. Make Time to Reflect

Start each day by setting aside a few minutes to pray and reflect on your relationship with God. Ask Him to help you guard your peace throughout the day.

2. Create Healthy Boundaries

Set clear boundaries in your schedule to make space for prayer, rest, and time with loved ones. Protect your time with God as an essential part of your day.

3. Focus on Gratitude

Keep a gratitude journal. Write down three things you’re thankful for every day. Let this practice help shift your focus from worries to blessings.

4. Resolve Conflicts Quickly

If you’re holding onto any unresolved conflicts, take steps to address them. Reach out for reconciliation and do your part to live at peace with those around you.

5. Commit to Consistent Spiritual Discipline

Develop a routine of daily Bible reading and prayer. Consider starting with a few verses from Isaiah 26:3 or Philippians 4:6-7 to focus your heart and mind on God’s peace.