How many times has my soul been stirred by the most recent crisis?
Way too many, I’m afraid.
Whether it’s a piece of bad news that only affects my little corner of the world or a global pandemic, my natural tendency is to worry it to death.
But that’s not how God calls me to live.
He gently whispers about a different way-one of finding peace in chaos. Of leaning into my faith instead of giving into fear.
It means trusting him, regardless of what’s happening around me. That kind of life can be filled with peace in any situation.
Sounds so simple doesn’t it? Yet we all know that it’s not-especially in this crazy world we find ourselves in.
So how do we go about finding peace in the midst of chaos? How can we respond to crisis with the kind of calm maturity that not only guarantees us a happier life, but is inspiration to those around us?
Well, I’m certainly no expert. I struggle every single day to experience less stress and more peace.
I’ve never been to seminary. I have no psychology degree. I know very little about the human brain or the role our minds play in triggering our emotions.
But I do know a little something about battling fear. I’ve had my fair share of trials.
And along the way, I’ve learned a thing or two about how to live at peace regardless of my circumstances.
I’m far from perfect, but I’ve seen what works in my own life.
So, let me share a few strategies I use to find peace in chaos. And maybe they can help you stay calm in this crisis or the next one life throws your way.
How to find peace in the midst of chaos…
Pray.
Oh, so obvious right?
Yet why do I worry first and then pray as an afterthought?
Perhaps because worrying is a natural reaction. And it’s easier.
Praying requires intention and focus.
But the rewards of praying BEFORE worry gets a hold of your heart are without measure. So, when those first signs of trouble begin to stir your soul, take it to God.
The words don’t need to be fancy. The prayer doesn’t need to be long.
But seek him first.
Spend more time in the Bible.
The best way to fight fear and worry is with the word of God. When you feel anxiety creep in, set aside more time than usual to read your Bible.
It doesn’t have to be complicated or require a change to your entire schedule.
Bookmark a few favorite scriptures on your phone and read them each time you check your email or get on social media.
Write out verses about peace and stick them to your bathroom mirror or refrigerator.
Or maybe try these two habits that I’ve found very helpful to keep me focused on God’s word and find peace in chaos.
It looks a little something like this… When I pick up my phone to turn off the alarm in those early morning hours, I flip to my bible app and read the scripture of the day.
Before I check my email. Before I look at social media.
Before I even put my feet on the floor, I see what God has to say.
(Need a suggestion for a great Bible app? Try YouVersion!)
Along those same lines, I also read the Bible before I go to bed each night. I recently made the commitment to do this at least five days a week.
I try to read my Bible app for five minutes before my head hits the pillow. Then I put my phone away.
I don’t take another peak at the weather or scroll social media one more time. I make sure God’s word is the last thing I’ve read before I drift off to sleep.
These two habits take less than ten minutes, but they help me start and end my day with more peace.
Be informed without being consumed.
Technology is a blessing. Especially when it helps us stay connected during difficult times.
But it can also easily become a gateway to anxiety and stress.
So, be mindful of how much crisis-related content you take in. The more bad news you hear, the harder it will be to feel at peace.
It’s wise to be informed. But recognize when that need for information gets out of balance. And set up safeguards to protect yourself.
For example, during a major crisis, I check my go-to news station no more than three or four times a day. I set approximate times for when I’ll browse the latest headlines and force myself to stick to that schedule.
And when my world is relatively crisis free, I barely watch the news at all! I refuse to allow the many concerns of this world to unnecessarily steal my peace.
Balance the negative information you do take in with plenty of positive content.
For every negative news report or problem-related headline you consume, try to take in twice as much good stuff.
For instance, if you watch the news for 30 minutes, listen to worship music for an hour. Or if you read the latest headlines on social media for 15 minutes, then take in a 30 minute sermon podcast.
You don’t need to track your time or set a regimented schedule of good versus bad. But what you take in through your eyes and ears inevitably makes its way to your heart.
So just make sure your heart gets more positive than negative.
Take care of your body.
It’s hard for your mind to be at peace if your body is a mess. It’s important to eat well, exercise, and get plenty of rest. Especially when you’re trying to find peace in chaos.
Healthy habits are created over time. If you already have good ones, refuse to let a crisis derail you. And if you could use a little work in this area, pick one thing and make a plan to improve.
(Need ideas for starting or maintaining a healthy mom lifestyle? Check out this post!)
Simply taking steps in a healthier direction or maintaining whatever ground you’ve gained in the past will do wonders for your state of mind.
Read “24 Verses About Finding Peace in Hard Times“ for a powerful collection of scriptures on peace.
Find something that inspires you.
There is incredible power in a simple story. In fact, that’s what this blog is built around!
(Read more about the story behind Selah Home here.)
When trying to find peace in chaos, look for ways to be inspired.
Find a podcast that speaks to you. Read a great book. Listen to uplifting music. Watch a feel-good movie.
Or check out more of my posts! They were written specifically to inspire your heart.
If you need somewhere to start, here’s a few suggestions…
- God’s Extraordinary Love in Ordinary Life
- The Glass Half Full: Keeping a Positive Perspective
- Choosing Hope for the New Year
- Overcoming Fear with Faith When Life Spins Out of Control
Look for little ways to treat yourself.
I’m very easily pleased. Give me a piece of chocolate and my favorite drink and I’m good to go.
But during times of trial, I indulge in those little pick-me-ups a bit more often.
So, whether it’s an extra cup of coffee or a favorite snack, give yourself something to look forward to each day. Don’t overdo it, but also don’t feel guilty about enjoying those small splurges that make life a little easier.
Get outside or simply practice being quiet.
I don’t know what it is, but something about being in God’s creation stills my soul. It’s almost as if I can feel his presence simply because I’m surrounded by nothing but nature.
If you can relate, figure out a way to get outside. Even if you’re in the middle of the city, fresh air and sunshine can do wonders for your mental health.
And if you don’t love the outdoors, being quiet can have a similar affect. Get away from all the noise, take a few deep breaths, and spend some time just being still.
Breathe deep.
Speaking of breathing, nothing physically calms the body quite like deep breathing done right. It’s such an incredibly simple thing that it almost didn’t make this list.
Yet it’s one of the quickest and easiest ways to find peace in chaos.
Slow yourself down.
We move at lightning speed these days. Sometimes that’s okay. But more often than not, it leads to stress and overwhelm.
And the last thing you need in the middle of a crisis is more stress.
In short, figure out a way to slow life down.
Cut things out of your schedule. When possible, reduce your to-do list. Practice saying no.
(Need more reasons to embrace a slowed-down life? Read this.)
Give yourself the time and freedom to deal with whatever issue is going on.
Peace is rarely experienced at warp speed.
(Check out this post for great tips on including more rest and peace into your family’s schedule.)
Remember that every season has an end.
One of the hardest things about times of struggle is not being able to see the way out. It can seem impossible to find hope or peace when surrounded by trouble.
But remember that everything has a season. Life will not be like this forever.
It may seem hard to believe right now, but it’s still true…This too shall pass.
Peace is possible…
When everything seems to be falling apart, feeling peaceful might seem impossible.
But the truth is, life is never perfect. While the crisis you’re experiencing now may be extreme, there will always be something that’s not quite right.
If we want to be able to enjoy this life, we have to learn how to find peace in any kind of chaos-big or small.
It’s a lesson I’m still learning. And one I haven’t mastered yet.
Achieving peace in the middle of life’s greatest storms is hard. It requires intention, self-control, and a whole lot of trust in God.
But that’s okay. The peace God offers is well worth any amount of work required to get it.
Because I know how it feels to be calm. And I know how it feels to be a mess.
I’ll choose peace over chaos any day. And you can too.
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