Can’t get your mind to stay Quiet? You need the Peace of God.

We’ve all had days when our minds feel overwhelmed with a relentless stream of thoughts, worries, and distractions. It can seem endless, making peace feel almost impossible to attain.

Once, some painters were asked to depict peace in any way they could imagine. While others painted serene landscapes, one artist chose to portray a violent storm with dark skies. Yet, in one small corner, he painted a bird sitting on a branch, singing amidst the chaos, unbothered and going about its business.

In Mark 4:35–41, Jesus demonstrates what true peace is like. Even as a fierce storm raged, He was peacefully asleep in the boat. When His frightened disciples woke Him, He simply commanded, “Peace! Be still!” and the storm ceased. The peace He had in Himself, which allowed Him to be at rest (literally) in the midst of the storm, He brought out through His Word and gave peace to the situation they were in.

We can do the same too. But first, we have to have peace in our minds and hearts. That way, we can speak to everything around us, and they will experience this peace also. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”, John 14:27

How do we receive and walk in this peace? Let’s start with these three steps:

• Pause, Pray, and Rest: Let’s pause to regroup. When anxiety arises, let’s take a deep breath and bring our cares and worries to God. The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6–7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

• Praise the Lord and be thankful always: Let’s redirect our focus to something we can be thankful for, even in challenging times. Praising the Lord quiets our minds and floods our hearts with joy. 1 Thessalonians 5:17–18 says, “Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

• Trust and Rest in God's Promises: Lean on God's promises, like Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” God has promised to keep us in perfect peace if our minds will stay on Him and trust Him.