By Briana Bass, Christian Romance Author, Devotional Writer & Certified Professional Coach

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

Do you have a happy place? Is there somewhere you go that’s quiet and still and allows you to find rest? Or maybe there’s an activity that calms the chaos in your mind and soul. If you don’t have a happy place, I hope you find one soon. Perhaps this blog can help point you in the right direction.

Everyone needs a happy place. Happy places are where we find peace. Peace is when your soul feels settled, and where that occurs is different for everyone. Some people find peace on the golf course, or in a pew, or curling up by the fire with a good book. Your happy place is unique to you. It does not have to look like anyone else’s!

I have three happy places: studying the Bible, reading a good book, and creating art. When I do any one of those, the tumult in my mind and heart ceases. That’s what I want for you, friend. My greatest desire is for you to find your happy place and find peace. So let’s dive in and talk about peace.

Peace be with You

For Christians, peace means choosing a different path than the one the world expects you to follow. Secular culture has this idea of stepping on people to achieve your goals. The end justifies the means, right? Not for Christians. Talk about producing bad fruit! Nothing is worth doing if it comes at the expense of others. Psalm 34:14 says, “Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it.” Good and peace go hand in hand. You cannot commit evil and expect peace to come from it. You might experience a temporary peace, a period where all your plans seem to come together, but it will not last. False peace never does.

Your happy place needs to be good for you and good for the people around you. I’m not only referring to a physical location or how you use your time (though those are factors), but also the result. If your peace is dependent on someone else’s pain or failings, then it’s not true peace. Go back to the beginning and think of another possible happy place. It also works the other way-if your happy place doesn’t give you peace, then it’s not the right happy place.

See, peace is both external and internal. Inner peace is a phrase often associated with traditional Eastern practices, but the philosophy applies to Christianity too. Turmoil in your soul will not produce good fruit. In fact, it bleeds out and negatively affects other people, even unintentionally. That’s not what Jesus wants for you or for them. If we want to live in a peaceful world, we must start with establishing peace within ourselves. Only then can we spread peace outward and bear witness to good fruit.

Follow the Prince of Peace

I belong to an historic peace church and when we talk about peace it’s usually in contrast to war. But peace, God’s true peace, goes beyond stopping the physical violence human beings inflict on one another. It’s a way of being. It’s in how we comport ourselves, in how we treat all living creatures, and in how we approach life. Pursuing peace is a choice. You must choose to find your happy place. You must choose to follow Jesus, even if (especially if) His way is countercultural. His way is peace, and His peace is radical. Remember His words from the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

Of course we are all God’s children. And like any parent, God wants our family to get along. We all know that’s not the reality we live in. That’s where peacemakers shine. They swoop in and help make the world a better place. Anyone can be a peacemaker. You don’t need special gifts or talents to do it. All God requires is that you make the choice. Yes, it won’t always be the popular choice, and sometimes it will be difficult. But it is so, so worth it.

So let’s circle back to finding your happy place. Consider the activities you enjoy that give you a sense of calm, that bring you closer to Jesus. Where can you engage in those activities? How much time can you devote each day or each week? What resources do you need to acquire? For example, I purchased a sketchbook and pencils. What kind of fruit will you produce? How will your happy place lead to peace for yourself and for the people around you?

Perfect Peace

Before I start each workday, I spend time in prayer and Bible study. It’s one of my happy places, remember? It helps center me and calm me. I know that I can’t produce good fruit on my own. It requires a relationship with Jesus. They’re called the fruit of the Spirit for a reason!

I even named my company Perfect Peace Publishing as a reminder to myself to always strive to produce good fruit. I want to set a good example of seeking peace and pursuing it in all that I do. How about you? Are you willing to choose peace?

All scripture quoted from World English Bible, public domain.