Let the Peace of God Rule: Living with Thankful Hearts

Hey, friend!

As October turns to November, our thoughts naturally begin to turn toward gratitude — toward family, gatherings, and the goodness of God we see in the everyday. But Colossians 3:15 reminds us that thankfulness isn’t just a seasonal focus; it’s meant to be a way of life.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. | Colossians 3:15

This verse calls us to let the peace of God rule in our hearts. That word rule in English means to govern or direct, but in the original it carries the idea of an umpire — deciding, determining, and guiding what takes place within us. I love that picture! It reminds me of how we’re called to put on the whole armour of God, to protect our hearts and minds while allowing His peace to call the shots. It’s an active choice, not a passive feeling — a conscious effort to direct our hearts toward peace.

And right after Paul tells us that, he adds, and be ye thankful. Peace and thankfulness belong together.

Peace and Thankfulness Go Hand in Hand

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6–7

There’s the pattern — peace doesn’t come from trying to control what’s around us, but from prayerful gratitude. When we bring our worries before the Lord with thanksgiving, He fills our hearts with a peace that doesn’t even make sense to the world.

Gratitude softens the edges of anxiety. When we remember Who’s holding our day, we stop grasping for control and start resting in His faithfulness.

Gratitude Beyond the Season

It’s easy to focus on gratitude as the calendar turns toward Thanksgiving, but Scripture calls us to make thankfulness a daily posture. Gratitude shouldn’t just fill our tables once a year — it should fill our hearts all year long.

The Lord convicted me about that many years ago, when I was still in college. I realized how easy it was to take His blessings for granted — and how rarely I actually said thank You to Him or to others. Since then, I’ve tried to live out that conviction by intentionally thanking the people around me for their part in my life and by thanking the Lord for His daily provisions. Gratitude has a way of changing perspective; it draws our eyes back to Him and reminds us of His constant goodness.

When we make thankfulness a habit, peace naturally follows. The more we thank Him, the more we notice Him.

Letting the Peace of God Rule Daily

If we want the peace of God to rule our hearts, we must give it room to lead. That means quieting anxious thoughts, choosing prayer over panic, and keeping His Word close enough to guide our minds throughout the day.

Simple Ways to Practice Prayerful Gratitude

• Begin each morning by thanking God for His presence before asking for anything else.
• When your thoughts begin to spiral, pause and remember Philippians 4:6–7 — peace begins with prayer and thanksgiving.
• Write one “thank You” note each week to someone the Lord used in your life.
• Keep a small list of today’s mercies — three things is plenty

And surround yourself with visible reminders of His truth. The Bible Verse Cards for Peace were created for that very purpose — to keep verses like Colossians 3:15 and Philippians 4:7 right within reach. When you see those verses throughout your day, they help you remember Who rules your heart and Who deserves your thanks.

A Heart that Overflows

When the peace of God rules our hearts, and thankfulness fills our words, our lives begin to reflect Christ Himself. Gratitude keeps us grounded in His goodness and reminds us that everything we have and everything we do flows from His hand.

So as we step into this season, may our hearts overflow with the peace that only God can give — and with the thankfulness that keeps that peace alive day by day.

Much love in Christ,
Kelly