“I am experiencing feelings of worry, anxiety, distress, and fear.”
We don’t talk about this enough: how peace can feel out of reach, even when you believe in Jesus with all your heart.
You know God is good.
You know He’s faithful.
You know he is powerful.
You know He has done it before
You know, He keeps His promise
And yet… your chest feels tight, your mind races, and you can’t seem to shut off the constant cycle of “what ifs.”
This doesn’t make you faithless; it makes you human. Being human means we need grace, thus, it doesn’t mean we have to live in fear. Growth begins when we allow God to shape our humanity into something stronger than anxiety. The Spirit within you is greater than the struggles around you. You are not helpless; you can still choose truth over fear, which means not prioritizing worldly concerns over eternal truths. Your flesh may feel weak, but it doesn’t have to be your master.
Peace isn’t always immediate. It’s not always a warm feeling that sweeps over you the moment you whisper a prayer. Sometimes, it’s a war you fight quietly, moment by moment, thought by thought.
Why Does Peace feel so elusive?
Let’s go deeper than surface answers. Here are a few soul-level reasons peace might feel distant, even for devoted believers:
1. Peace Is Spiritual, but Anxiety Often Isn’t
Anxiety isn’t always rooted in sin or spiritual weakness, though it feels like a torment. It can come from:
- Sleepless nights
- Chronic stress
- Past trauma
- Demand and responsibilities
- Hormonal changes
- Spiritual warfare
Peace, on the other hand, is a spiritual gift—not a mental state. You can’t “think” your way into peace; you must abide your way into it. That’s why Paul said, “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)
2. Peace Is a Fruit, Not a Formula
Galatians 5:22 reminds us that peace is a fruit of the Spirit. And fruit grows slowly, under care—not pressure. You don’t produce fruit by force. You cultivate it by abiding in the right environment.
Peace doesn’t flourish in noise, hurry, or fear—it grows in stillness, in presence, and in surrender.
3. We Often Crave Control More Than Peace
Let’s be honest: We want peace, but we often want control even more; that is human nature by default.
- We want to know the outcome.
- We want guarantees.
- We want to avoid pain at all costs.
But peace isn’t the product of knowing everything—it’s the byproduct of trusting the One who does.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on You, because they trust in You.”
(Isaiah 26:3)
If your peace is contingent on predictable outcomes, it is not genuinely rooted in the Prince of peace, leaving you unstable.
4. The World Normalizes Fear
We live in a fear-fueled society. It glorifies worry and anxiety as if it’s the same thing as responsibility. But Christ’s culture is different. It tells us to renew our minds—to reject the default settings of fear and walk boldly in trust.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
(Romans 12:2)
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
Sometimes when anxiety hits, you don’t just need therapy or relaxation techniques (though helpful)—you need spiritual authority. Your thoughts are spiritual territory.
So, how do we begin to rest?
Here are five practical and soul-deep ways to find rest in God, even when anxiety knocks at the door, so you can remain calm in chaos and trust amidst uncertainty.
1. Abide—Don’t Strive
You can be busy for God and still be far from God. Peace doesn’t come from working harder—it comes from staying close.
Take 10 minutes a day to simply sit with Him. No requests. No agenda. Just presence.
2. Take Every Thought Captive
You don’t have to control every emotion. But you do have authority over your thoughts.
“Take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)
When fear shouts, respond with truth. Write down toxic thoughts. Match them with Scripture. Replace lies with God’s promises.
3. Cast Your Cares—Aggressively
1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him.” The word “cast” implies force—throwing, not politely handing over completely without looking back.
If the fear returns? Throw it again. And again. That’s not failure—it’s spiritual discipline and soon you will mature.
4. Speak Peace—Don’t Just Wish for It
When Jesus faced the storm, He didn’t whisper. He declared: “Peace, be still.” (Mark 4:39)
Start declaring peace in your home, family, over your body, your responsibilities, your finances, and your future. Don’t wait to feel peace to speak it.
5. Act on Faith, Not Feelings
Peace doesn’t always come first. Sometimes it follows action.
“Do not be anxious… but in everything, by prayer and thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God… will guard your heart and mind.” (Philippians 4:6–7)
Thank Him before the breakthrough. That’s not pretending. That’s prophetic trust.
You’re not faithless – you’re growing
Even Jesus, in Gethsemane, said:
“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow…” (Mark 14:34)
He didn’t deny it. He brought it to the Father. He wept, prayed, surrendered—and went forward.
So if you’re:
- Anxious but still praying
- Tired but still trusting
- Overwhelmed but still showing up
…then you are growing. You are in the process of peace. You’re becoming anchored.
final words
Peace may feel like a distant shore some days. But it’s not gone. It’s just being cultivated.
Let today be a reminder that peace is not about your performance—it’s about your position.
Stay close. Stay honest. Stay rooted.
And even when you don’t feel it, keep walking as if it’s already yours—because in Christ, it is.
“My peace I give you… not as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled.”
(John 14:27)
Prayer
Lord, when anxiety rises and I don’t know what to do or what’s ahead, calm my heart. I totally cast my fears and anxiety to you. Help me trust You more than my fears. Be my peace in the storm, my anchor in the unknown. I choose to rest in Your presence, not my understanding. Help my unbelief.
In Jesus Christ’s name, amen.
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Hey, I’m Angeline, your RN also a Counselor and founder of Finally Am Found. With a heart for mentorship, I’ve been guiding teens and young adults since 2017. As a Registered Nurse, I blend medical expertise with personal experiences to create a Christ-aligned space for self-discovery. Connect with Angeline on Facebook and let the journey to self-discovery begin!
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