In 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, the Apostle Paul tells Christians that while excelling in brotherly love they are “to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”

This is a theme in Paul’s letters. After telling Timothy to pray for all people, including kings and those in high positions so the gospel may advance, he says to also pray that “we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior” (1 Timothy 2:2-3).

The question for us is, are we aspiring to live quietly? Is it our ambition to lead peaceful and quiet lives?

The word “aspire” means to pursue, and eagerly strive for. Are you actively pursuing a peaceful life that is free of hostility and conflict toward others? Are you striving for a tranquil life at rest in the Lord, or is your life more characterized by restlessness, tension, and anxiety?

If we allow it, the chronic crush of perceived expectations and demands of our modern world can fill our lives with endless activities and a general state of unrest. Perhaps the political and cultural situation of our country fills you with frustration.

Or maybe your personal situation or the situation of those close to you brings turmoil to your heart. There are many trials that threaten to disrupt the peace and quiet of our lives.

I certainly have experienced this over and over in my life. I can’t count the times I’ve heard people say or have said myself, “I am so busy,” or “I just have too much to do,” or “I’m just overwhelmed,” or “I’m so frustrated by this issue, or that person,” or whatever it may be.

How do we aspire to live peaceful and quiet lives in a tumultuous and chaotic world?

Living Quietly

First and foremost, true peace in our lives starts with a saving relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the foundation for living peacefully in this sin-broken world. Paul makes this clear in Romans 5:1, when he writes, “since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” It is the peace that is ours by believing in Christ.

But that is not all Paul is taking about. Rather, he exhorts us to “live quietly.” James gives us some concrete examples of what a quiet and peaceful life looks like in James 3:13-18.

He says those who are wise pursue peace by producing the good fruits of meekness, purity, gentleness, mercy, impartiality, and sincerity while avoiding bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, boasting, and deception.

Minding Our Own Business

Paul encourages us to “mind our own affairs” in the pursuit of a quiet life. I think this is particularly difficult today.

So many things compete for our time and attention, relentlessly enticing us to get involved and form opinions regarding various causes and people.

This includes everything from the 24-hour news cycle, to celebrities and politicians espousing their views on every nuance of life, to the constant barrage of social media updates that display carefully curated lives through sharing, tweeting, and liking.

At best, these things occupy us with good things at the expense of the better things we could be doing, but more often they are simply idle curiosities and inconsequential matters designed to occupy and entertain us.

Like all other gifts of God these can be blessings to be enjoyed, but when taken to an extreme that is out of balance, it is sin.

Yet “minding our own affairs” does not mean pulling away from people and not being involved in their lives; rather, we are called to do the “work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12) and that involves loving one another (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10).

Doing so would give us the focused attention to follow the example of Jesus, who humbly looked outward in love of others, rather than turned inward in love of self, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 2:3-5).

Working with our Own Hands

Lastly, Paul exhorts us to “work with your own hands.” Being involved in productive activity, whether in the workplace, at home, or in ministry, is a repeated emphasis in the New Testament. Keeping occupied with good work is a key to leading a quiet life.

Paul addresses this again in 2 Thessalonians 3:10-11, “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.”

Applying These Principles

Paul gives us clear principles here regarding our daily Christian lives. But no one else can apply these instructions to the details of your life; only your conscience informed by the Holy Spirit can do that as you seek to pursue a peaceful and quiet life that is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.

Pray to the Lord for wisdom regarding these things in your own life. And be reminded, it is only through Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit that we can do this to the glory of God – you can certainly rest in that!