Missing PeaceSample

Peace of Mind

Think back to a time in your life when you faced a significant struggle. Maybe you battled anxiety or depression. Maybe you lost a loved one. Maybe you’re dealing with the loss of a dream, or the loss of what you thought your life would look like. What were some of the most helpful things people did for you? 

You might not remember the words someone said. But you remember who was there for you. You remember the people who listened, who showed up, and who took time to be with you. 

When we face our deepest struggles, we can rest in the fact that our God is always with us. In fact, in the book of Isaiah, Jesus is called Immanuel, meaning “God is with us.” 

When we’re struggling to find peace in the middle of our circumstances, sometimes the best thing we can do is to acknowledge God is with us and thank Him for the gift of His presence. 

And the good news is that we don’t have to do this in our own strength. When we follow Jesus, He gives us another gift—the presence of the Holy Spirit. We don’t just have to power through or muster up courage and peace on our own. Instead, we can ask the Holy Spirit to guide our lives, guard our hearts, and produce fruit that outweighs our frustration. 

As Paul reminds us: 

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:5-6 NLT 

When we’re consumed by our thoughts about the news, social media controversy, and all the things we’re freaked out about, we’ll naturally feel panicked and overwhelmed. And although it’s wise to be informed, we have to make sure we’re filling our minds with things that fuel our spirits. 

In fact, one way to find the peace of God is by remembering the promises of God and focusing on those promises more than your problems. 

Wondering how to start? Read Psalm 23 over and over, reminding yourself that God is with you when you face trials, go through valleys, or need comfort. Make a list of things that are true about God. For example: He is close to the brokenhearted. He provides peace that surpasses understanding. He is a refuge in times of trouble. He is our Wonderful Counselor, our Mighty God, our Prince of Peace! 

Today, if you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, know this: God cares about you. He sees you. He loves you. He is with you. He is for you. And you can pursue peace by speaking God’s promises over your problems and surrendering your thoughts to the Holy Spirit.