How to find peace- 5 helpful things when you are stressed out

K‘s husband passed away 5 months ago this week. It was sudden, tragic and has left her and their children in a world of crushing grief. The adage about Murphy’s Law seems to be penned regarding her family since then. Desperately hard things keep happening, yet…

K is a master of gratitude.

Even in her own despair, she consistently searches out things to be thankful for. Her words flow publicly listing the very real struggles AND her staunch determination to find God’s blessings in the midst. She does this well.

K wants to prove that God is always good, all the time. Her passion doesn’t erase her sorrow, but it does help to keep her chin above water as she struggles.

Find peace through gratitude

Gratitude is the antidote to life’s challenges. Where are you today?  Are you having a hard time finding things to be thankful for this year?

Stress doesn’t necessarily mean things are bad! Perhaps life is charged with new possibility or business ventures or growth of the family. Things might just be unusually busy this season…

Stress can simply mean the feeling of being pulled beyond a posture of thankfulness. Getting caught up “in it”.

I have good news for you.

Peace can be found. The secret is to give thanks instead of giving in.   

With Thanksgiving approaching, let’s devote some time to pursuing the perspective of joy with a few quick strategies…

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”  — William Arthur Ward

How do I find peace today?

• Make a gratitude list- We are surrounded by good things we miss unless we train our eyes to seek them out.  Sometimes when our big prayer needs aren’t answered; our trust wavers. Purpose to fight this!  Look for the tiniest things and be amazed as the list keeps growing
• Challenge stagnant perspectives– There is no easy to way to say this, but pity parties are easy to fall into and a lonely place to be.  If things aren’t going as planned, that often turns into a good thing if we can only be patient! The mind leads our hearts. So, where are thoughts go? They have a LOT to do with the lens with which we view life through. Even when, and perhaps especially when, things are hard? We get to choose the way we want to see things. Challenge yourself to choose the hope-full lens
• Put the focus on others instead of self- When we struggle to give thanks, maybe the focus has shifted to be too heavy on our own needs. Giving thanks definitely can be prompted by giving away more of ourselves to others. Loving on others, even in the smallest ways, blesses them for sure…and also resets our hearts
• Reflect on moments instead of the big picture–  When we are weary from a certain challenge, especially long-term ones, it is helpful to stop and look back upon individual moments. For example, this year held a staggering (feeling) amount of changes, in addition to ongoing therapies to heal from a car accident. I’ve learned so much about patience and grace. Yes, things were often very painful and hard. Monotonous even. Yet, when I decided to scan through pictures of the last year? There were SO MANY MOMENTS of laughter, joy, and exploration. Family visits and empty nest adventures.  By choosing to celebrate the moments, this year was no longer defined by circumstances outside my control
• Don’t give up– Many seasons make thanks-giving simple. Our joys are so obvious and things are easy. If you are in a rough patch, keep pressing on.  Fighting hard is worth it! And remember, you aren’t alone, even if it feels lonely.  My friend K that  I mentioned above? She surely feels lonely, but she determines to trust God that she is never truly alone

Jesus tells us in John 14:27, “I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.”

Thank-full is a good place to be

As the holiday season draws near, lean into the peace that is offered.

It doesn’t mean that things suddenly are perfect, but the sense of calm that we feel after spending time offering thanks with our lives?

That is where a soft spot is to find shelter for our spirit.

May you be blessed with thanks and giving.

Resources to help your peace of mind:

The Art of Rest: Faith To Hit Pause In A World That Never Stops

Peace with the Psalms: 40 Readings to Relax Your Mind and Calm Your Heart

Find Peace: A 40-day Devotional Journey For Moms

Not Just A Mom: The Extraordinary Worth of Motherhood & Homemaking 

The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You (ps, I am an HSP, are you?)

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