In this second week of Advent, I’ll highlight the theme of Peace and what that means for Christians. 

Popular online dictionary source, Dictionary.com, defines the word peace in several ways. Two of the definitions offered are as follows:

• freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, 
• a state of tranquility or serenity. [1]

The Juxtaposition of Peace and Anxiety

When God created mankind, He made them in His image and placed them in the Garden of Eden. There, Adam and Eve lived and enjoyed a world without sin. Can you imagine what that experience was like? They walked with God and, no doubt, experienced the fullness of His peace. However, when sin entered the world through Adam’s transgression, that peace was rejected. After Adam chose to disobey God, the first thing he felt was anxiety coupled with shame. We read in Genesis 3:10,  He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”

“I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid myself.” Adam’s words illustrated the reality of anxiety and expressed the opposite of peace. In this admission of fear and sense of unsafety, he confessed his own brokenness. The worst part? The brokenness he suffered was self-inflicted. Does that sound familiar? Have you ever been so afraid to face the consequences of your actions that you were tempted to run and hide? Have you ever felt ashamed to let God see your troubles or hurts?

This reminds me of the times my children got hurt and said, “Don’t touch my owie!” They didn’t want me to touch the “owie” because it hurt. The reality is, I could not have helped them feel better unless they let me touch it and offer first aid. Adam behaved like a child. He made a choice, it hurt, then he covered it as if to say, “Don’t touch my owie.” He lost sight of who he could trust in his pain and anxiety. As a result of his shame, brokenness and fear, he didn’t want to let God see what he did.

Yet, the words “Do not be afraid.” appear in Scripture, over and over again. That statement is not a suggestion; it’s a command. God issues this command repeatedly because He knows where fear, anxiety, and shame can lead us: away from Him. He knows that we were not created to handle all the things we have to carry, and deep down, I think we know that, too. We were not created to suffer like we do. We were never meant to know what it feels like to watch a child suffer in a hospital bed as we spend Christmas in the children’s ward. We weren’t meant to feel the pain of a divorce and experience Christmas as a broken family. We weren’t meant to suffer the loss of a loved one and grieve over the empty place at the Christmas dinner table. Mankind suffers these things because of the devastating effects of sin.

The Antidote for Anxiety

If you’re feeling heavy, you’re not alone. Let’s pause here and remember that, in this season of HOPE, we belong to someone who gives us PEACE: the Prince of Peace Himself. He is the Prince of Completeness; the Prince of Safety; the Prince of Soundness, Tranquility, Health, Contentment and Quiet. 

When speaking about worry and anxiety, Jesus said, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.(Matthew 6:33-34).

Did you catch that? The Prince of Peace offered a cure for Anxiety; to seek the kingdom of God. To put it plainly, Jesus explained that if we desire to experience peace and let go of worry, we must first seek GOD. It’s that simple. Why, then, does it feel so hard? I explained earlier that we live in a broken world, marred by sin, which is both invasive and pervasive. Unfortunately, on this side of eternity, we have to contend with a constant hissing in our ears, saying, “Can you really trust God with your pain?” Without trying, we are repeatedly reminded of our brokenness and overwhelmed by the sorrow and suffering attached to it.

However, we have a choice to make: listen to the hissing voice of the “ruler of demons”, (Matt 9:34) [4] or to the Voice of Truth of the Prince of Peace, who lives within us and says,  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Choosing Truth and Encouragement This Advent Season

Sister, let this year be the year you learn to lean on the Prince of Peace. Let this Advent season be the one when you commit to living out these words: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)

You’ll be tempted to “protect your peace” by avoiding inconveniences, disengaging from hard conversations, isolating, getting lost in a show or book, or scrolling on social media until you forget about the thing you’re stressed over. However, there is a profound lie embedded in the idea that you can “protect your peace.” The lie is that peace is yours to protect. The truth is that peace can only come from the Lord, and we can only have peace if we choose to receive it from HIM. He is the protector of peace because He is the provider of peace. 

Therefore, take your burdens to the Lord in prayer. Spend time in His presence and let God take the burden from you. Slow down and allow yourself to receive the Peace that Jesus alone can give you. 

Whether you’re overcome with grief in a dire situation, or feel alone this Christmas season, present your requests to God in every situation, with thanksgiving.(Phil 4:6) It may help to write a list in your journal and, next to each one, write: I give this to the Prince of Peace. He will carry your burdens for you and walk alongside you, each step of the way. He will renew your strength to help you walk through whatever you’re facing today and everyday. 

His burden is light. Trust Him.

On behalf of the team at HRS, I hope you have a blessed second week of Advent!

Love, Mary 

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Sources

1 Dictionary.com, s.v. “peace,” accessed November 28, 2025, https://www.dictionary.com/browse/peace.

2 Isaiah 9:6, New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

3 šālôm, h7965, Blue Letter Bible, accessed November 28, 2025. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h7965/nasb95/wlc/0-1/.

4 The NIV translates, ruler, for prince. This comparison shows that the enemy has a limited authority here on earth and he ultimately answers to the Prince, Jesus Christ, who gives true peace.