Peace Be Still

When I was a young man, every Sunday morning in our home was filled with the sound of gospel music. My mother, a Teacher’s Aid and a church nurse, battled the demon of alcoholism. Saturday nights were often her time to drink away the weight of life’s struggles, but Sunday mornings? Sunday mornings belonged to God. And the anthem of our household was Reverend James Cleveland’s powerful gospel song, Peace Be Still.

Hungover, yet determined, Momma would rise, put on her nurse’s uniform, and sing that song over and over as she made her way to church. She clung to the lyrics because she knew what so many of us struggle to grasp: storms will come, but God’s peace will always hold steady until we’re ready to fight again.

The Lesson in the Storm

The song Peace Be Still recounts the biblical story of Jesus calming the raging sea. His disciples, terrified and convinced they would perish, woke Him in desperation. But Jesus, unfazed, simply spoke: Peace, be still! And just like that, the storm obeyed. Momma knew what Christ was enforcing that night on the lake—storms will rage, but God’s love is unwavering. His peace is not about eliminating struggles but sustaining us through them.

Today, many of us are facing our own Peace Be Still moments. Maybe your business is struggling, your bank account is gasping for air, or you’re dealing with a health crisis. Maybe you’re watching our country waver on its commitment to justice and fairness, and you’re wondering if the winds of progress are shifting backward. The lesson of Peace Be Still isn’t that storms won’t come—they will. The lesson is that God will hold the storm at bay long enough for your courage, faith, and will to fight to catch up.

And when it does? You’ll be stronger. Wiser. Ready for the next battle.

Three Examples of Peace Before the Fight

1. The Civil Rights Movement – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his fellow leaders understood this principle well. The Montgomery Bus Boycott lasted over a year, and the pressures were immense—violence, arrests, economic hardship. But through moments of prayer, song, and faith, they found peace in the storm. That peace gave them the strength to march, to organize, and ultimately to change history.

2. Politics and the Fight for Justice – Leaders like Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, faced relentless opposition. But she understood the Peace Be Still moment—holding firm in her convictions, knowing that justice was a slow, relentless fight. The storms of racism and sexism raged, but she found her peace in preparation and persistence, using that calm to power her next move.

3. The Vietnam War – Soldiers in the heat of battle had to master the art of staying calm amid chaos. The most disciplined warriors understood that panic gets you killed, but a moment of controlled peace—finding clarity in the midst of the storm—can save lives. That principle of Peace Be Still was the difference between fear taking over and executing the mission with precision.

Mastering Your Peace Be Still Moment

So, how do we apply this lesson today? Here are three takeaways to help you navigate your storm:

1. Anchor Yourself in Faith – Whether through prayer, meditation, or reflection, find a way to steady your spirit before you react to the storm. The disciples had Jesus in their boat the whole time—they just had to remember that fact.

2. Trust the Process – Progress isn’t always immediate, but that doesn’t mean you’re failing. Like Momma getting up each Sunday, even in her struggle, take the next step, no matter how small.

3. Prepare for the Next Battle – The peace isn’t just to comfort you; it’s to equip you. Use this moment of calm to learn, strategize, and build yourself up. The next fight is coming, but this time, you’ll be ready.

Storms will rage. Winds will howl. But just like Jesus, just like Momma, just like the warriors before us, we too can stand firm and declare: Peace, be still!