Is It Peace and Quiet? Or Is It Quiet, then Peace?

I’ve often heard the phrase, “Peace and quiet.”

Which one comes first?

Do I have to have peace to get quiet? Or do I need to get quiet — and still — to have peace?

What are peace and quiet and stillness?

— One definition of quiet is the absence of sound.

— Still implies no movement.

— Peace means regardless of what’s going on around me, I’m not disturbed or unsettled in my spirit and mind.

Difficulty with all three

I went to two conferences back-to-back recently. For both, there were multiple classes or activities every hour from early morning until late night.

Each morning, as I sat in my hotel room before the scheduled activities, I couldn’t get still in my spirit to have my “quiet time” with God.

I was sitting still in my chair. And there was no sound in the room. But my mind was swirling. My spirit was somewhere. I just couldn’t corral it at that moment.

The reminder was clear. The swirl of conference activities makes it difficult for me to settle and focus.

It’s like I’m on autopilot and may or may not be focused and cognizant of the moment I happen to be living right then. And I definitely have trouble settling and connecting with God.

How do I combat the flurry and chaos?

— I acknowledge high levels of activity may mean my spirit can’t settle or get as quiet as when life is less eventful.

— I remind myself that I’m not a surprise to God. He made me and He knows how I am. I ask Him for clear guidance, and the ability to focus and do the next right thing.

— I reaffirm my purpose and what I think God wants me to do.

— And I do make a plan. Even if the plan changes, having the initial plan of what I hope to do, keeps me calmer. And when I’m calmer, I’m more able to focus and be “present” to experience what’s going on at any given moment.

So which comes first?

To add another fact to the mix, God clearly says He has already given me peace.

But I must do my part, which usually means getting still enough and quiet enough to experience the peace.

And when I experience that peace, I can retain it even when events and activities swirl around me.

Seriously, which comes first?

I guess I can’t answer the question about which of the three “technically” comes first.

All I know is that if peace and quiet and stillness desert me, I know how to find all three again.

In what order do peace and quiet and stillness come to you? How do you find them?

Is It Peace and Quiet? Or Is It Quiet, then Peace? Which comes first? How do you find them? Share on X

Joni Vance is an award-winning author of fiction, essay, and poetry. She loves mystery, history, and how God reveals Himself every day.

May God reveal the mystery of His love in your life story.