Peace in the Carpool Lane

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You." Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

Sitting in traffic can be one of the most frustrating parts of the day—especially when you're trying to be intentional. No screens. No distractions. Just “quality” time with your kids. But instead, the backseat becomes a battleground.

"She’s breathing too loud.

She touched me.

She’s looking at me.

She made that noise again."

And there you are, gripping the steering wheel, jaw tight, praying for either silence or sanity to show up first.

Let’s be honest: those moments can push us to the edge. I’ve been there. I used to yell, snap, or shut down altogether. I believed the lie that controlling the noise would bring peace. But over time, I’ve learned something sacred—peace isn’t found in silence, perfect kids, or smooth traffic.

Peace is found in God. Period.

Peace isn't something we manufacture... it’s something we receive. It’s not rooted in our circumstances; it's rooted in Christ. He is Jehovah Shalom... The Lord is Peace (Judges 6:24). Jesus is called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and when He lives in us, peace lives in us too.

We have a choice.When the backseat bickering begins or someone cuts us off in traffic, we can either hand over our peace to the moment... or we can anchor ourselves in God’s truth.

I was reminded of this during a recent Sunday sermon “When you have peace in God, you’ll have peace within.”

Living an unbothered life is not apathy... it’s spiritual maturity. It’s knowing who holds your emotions, your kids, your commute, and even your chaos. It’s being so anchored in God that no person or situation gets to control your atmosphere.

Friend, you don’t have to lose your cool to prove a point.You don’t have to raise your voice to regain control.You don’t have to react in your flesh when you can respond in His Spirit.

Let’s choose peace on purpose.

Prayer:

Father,Thank You for being my peace in every storm, whether it’s loud backseats, traffic delays, or unexpected tensions. Remind me, Lord, that peace isn’t something I earn... it’s something I receive from You. Teach me to stay rooted in Your truth when my emotions want to lead me astray. Help me to respond with grace, patience, and love. I surrender my reactions and my right to “lose it,” and instead, I choose to abide in You. Let my home, my car, and my heart reflect the peace that comes from You alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Worship Song: