Advent of Peace - 2

🎄 A December Mini-Series: Advent of Peace

Focusing on the traditional Advent themes: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love

🌿 PEACE — When Hearts Feel Restless

Peace is not the absence of grief.
Peace is God being close when hearts feel unsettled.

“My peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled.” — John 14:27

💔 How Children Experience Restless Grief

Grief doesn’t always show itself as falling tears. Sometimes it shows up as restless hearts and busy minds. Children experience grief in a variety of ways, including trouble sleeping, extra questions at bedtime, fidgeting and irritability, separation anxiety, and needing reassurance often. How then does a parent or adult in a child’s life aid the child in finding peace?

In John 14:27, Jesus says, “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.” In helping children understand what peace is, it is important that they know that peace doesn’t mean everything feels okay. It means we are okay with God in the middle of hard things.

✝️ Understanding True Peace

Of course, this infers that we have a relationship with God to begin with. This is a great time to introduce the child to Jesus and the salvation He brought to us throug his incarnation, death on the cross and resurrection. If we are followers of Jesus, having given our lives to Him, we can know true peace “not as the world gives.”

In our world today, many of us would expect peace to come as a feeling when everything is quiet and chaos isn’t present. Some of us might put our trust in temporary things, like safety, family, living a carefree life, or even drugs or alcohol. We cope in ways that try to tamp down that fear that comes when peace isn’t present. If adults struggle with waking up during the night thinking too much, carrying worries silently or lashing out at others, or by trying to be strong for others to quiet their hearts, it makes sense that children do, too.

Explain to children that peace isn’t feeling happy. It is feeling safe and knowing that God is near.

📖 Peace That Guards Our Hearts

Peace, however, has a much deeper meaning. Philippians 4:6–7 encourages believers to replace anxiety and fear with prayer, stating,“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.”

By speaking our requests and thankfulness to God, we guard our minds against anxiety and fear, and yes, even grief that troubles us. Tell God honestly how you feel, but also tell Him what you are grateful for. As C. S. Lewis once said, “Pray what is in you, not what ought to be in you.”

Parents and adults, sit quietly with your children. Don’t rush to try to “fix” everything. Pray together briefly and repeat reassurance. Peace grows through presence, not through ignoring the problems.

🕊️ A Breath Prayer for Restless Hearts

Try teaching children some coping mechanisms when anxiety, fear, or the lack of peace is present. Start with breathing exercises.

Inhale: “Jesus…”
Exhale: “…give me Your peace.”

Or for younger kids:
Inhale: “God is near.”
Exhale: “I am safe.”

By breathing in this way, our bodies are calmed while God calms our hearts.

🙏 A Hands-on Calming Prayer

Another simple, physical prayer for older children might be this one. It is incredibly grounding for children who are restless.

Hold hands open → “God, I give You my worries.”
Close hands → “God, hold me in Your peace.”

🌙 A Bedtime Peace Ritual

I would highly recommend bedtime prayer rituals, especially for families. My teenage children didn’t always want to do this, but we started young and tried to stay firm in this practice as long as we could.

Some ideas for younger children would be to light a candle, read one Bible verse, and each say a one sentence prayer. When our older children were unwilling some nights to participate, my husband and I still prayed for the kids and what we knew their cares to be. Even if the prayer was just, “Jesus, stay close to us tonight,” I knew God heard our words and knew our hearts.

Other verses to check out His promises:

Psalm 4:8 – “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (NIV)

Isaiah 26:3 – “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (ESV)

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🧡 Things to Remember About Peace

In closing, here are some things to remember:

• Peace is something we practice, not achieve.

• Jesus stays close.

• Restlessness doesn’t scare God.

• “Peace may come quietly, but it comes faithfully.”
  

🏡 A Personal Story of Finding Peace

When I was in college, I decided to stay and work on campus over the summer. It didn’t take much time for fear to hit. That lack of peace came in the form of anxiety attacks and homesickness. Eventually, I decided to spend the rest of the summer at home, which is what my heart needed.

Those adults—my mom, my grandparents, my cousins, aunt, and uncles—provided understanding and listened to my feelings. When it was time to return to school, I knew Jesus was going to take care of me, and I knew I had alternatives where God would lead me in whatever direction He felt was best. That in itself provided me with some peace in my heart.

One final thought -- I wouldn't discount qualified Biblical counselors or pastors or appropriate medications, if needed. There are some helpful aids out there.

💭 Think About It

Here are a few reflection questions for families and children who are learning to rest in God’s peace:

“What helps your heart feel calm?”

“Where do you feel God’s peace?”

“What does peace feel like in your body?”

Peace often comes without answers — that’s the point.

📚 More Hope-Filled Resources, Just for You

Check out my website at https://marygracejohnsonauthor.com and download the “Seven Affirmations of Hope” for free.

I also have two collaborative books available on Amazon:
Hope for the Holidays: Stories and Traditions for a Peaceful Season (2024) and the new 365-day devotional, A Year of Hope (2025).

And don't forget! Look for my solo picture book debut this winter, And the Sun Came Up: A True Story of Grief and Hope, which will be available for preorder very soon. I will be looking for launch team members to participate in this book release where there will be giveaways, behind-the-scenes updates, and early access to the book!