How To Find Peace: 7 Simple Techniques To Find Serenity

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The following post was contributed by Sally Davidson, of Inspired & Refreshed.

How do you find serenity and peace, or have the strength to continue on yet another day, when you’re fighting a feeling of foreboding and the future doesn’t look bright?

Is it even possible to live in a state of calm or tranquility when just putting your feet on the floor in the morning has you standing on shaky ground?

I’ve been there, and to be honest, I’m there with you–right now as I write this. But it IS possible!

Sometimes we find ourselves in gray and cloudy times. We can’t see any way out front, back, or sideways. We don’t get any word from the Lord reassuring us that we’re going to soon see the sun or land safely on the other side of these scary, sad times. But it’s in those times that I’ve found a few things that help my heart remain steadfast, peaceful, and even hopeful. I pray that they help you too.

I’ll share a story first, to help relate those helpful methods:

Recently I was on a plane from North Carolina to Chicago. I’m somewhat of an anxious flier so as usual, I was praying before and during the flight for safety, smooth air, and an uneventful landing. It was beautiful weather that early morning in Greensboro. But as we flew closer to Chicago it was cloudy and getting cloudier as we approached. The other passengers and I had no idea what was going on. There was no announcement telling us to prepare for landing but we were flying in thick clouds. All of a sudden the captain engaged full power and we were flying what felt like straight up at light speed shaking all the way and tilting back and forth. It was terrifying for a timid flier, and those around me were wondering out loud, “what’s going on?”

About ten minutes later we were again in thick clouds, we had no idea that we were even close to Chicago. We weren’t supposed to land for 25 minutes. But again as we flew through the clouds, the pilot suddenly took the plane up and up at what felt like catapult speed. The passengers were at this point beginning to question if we had a near miss when the captain finally announced that he had attempted to land the plane twice, but he couldn’t see the runway or the runway lights so he had to abort the landing. Twice. Scary, right? 

I found myself praying: “Hey, God, are you hearing me? I’ve been praying for smooth air, a safe flight and an uneventful landing. What’s happening here? This is scary stuff and I want out now, please.”  

How Can I Find Serenity?

First, identify the culprit.

When you’re in the midst of a trial or struggling with feelings of brokenness, ask yourself this question: “What is stealing my joy, causing me anxiety and robbing me of peace?”

Identify what it is that you’re truly afraid of. I know it’s sometimes terrifying to dig into the depths of your heart and name your fear. But take hold of Jesus’ hand, pray and ask Him to help you. You need to figure out what’s on your mind and playing on repeat.

Second, decide if what’s weighing on your mind has any truth to it.

On that flight to Chicago, I did that and realized exactly what the truth of the situation was.

I wasn’t afraid of dying, but I was afraid of the terrifying few minutes of wobbling around and plummeting before hitting the ground. I didn’t think I could handle that at all. Even putting that on paper scares me.

Ask yourself this:  “if what I’m struggling with isn’t true, then what is?” You can always rely on scripture to provide you with truths and help you find serenity and peace.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV): “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Whatever you may be facing, you’re not facing it alone — God will hold you up. He will strengthen you and give you calm in the storm when you would normally be shaking, lonely and scared.

John 14:27 (NIV):  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Obviously, we eventually landed in Chicago and all was well. This was a short term event that made me fearful, but what if you’ve got a longer-lasting fear…perhaps an ongoing health struggle, financial challenge, or something that has no end in sight? We aren’t promised a life of smooth sailing. We know that we are going to have a trip that likely encounters a fair number of potholes along the way.

So how do you “keep on keeping on?”

Third, decide if you need to make a change.

You might be wondering where to find serenity when you aren’t sure where to turn. You can start by either reading scripture to guide your heart, doing simple self-reflection, or pray and ask God if anything in your life needs to change.

Just because something is good doesn’t mean that it’s within the boundaries of His perfect plan for you. Is there something that you should let go, in an effort to find serenity and happiness?

If He’s asking you to let something go, let it go and don’t look back. Maybe He would have you reduce what’s on your schedule in order to have time to stay close to Him. After all, living a simpler life isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

This brings to mind Psalm 16:6 (NIV):  “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.”

Which Finding Serenity Meaning Applies To Me?

The way in which you answer the questions “how to find peace” or “how to find serenity” is going to differ slightly from everyone else. The reason for that is because you are a beautiful, unique person, unlike anyone else in the entirety of creation.

And that reason for THAT is because God made you uniquely beautiful, exactly as you were meant to be.

However you define peace and serenity, whatever path you follow on your path to learning how to find peace in stressful situations, what I truly believe helps is maintaining a focus on your one constant guiding light — remembering that to truly feel serenity, you need to know how to find peace with God in mind.

How To Find Serenity In The Storm – 7 Tools

It’s all well and good to talk about a peaceful heart, but how do you get there? How to find peace in today’s world?

Everybody is wired differently, but there are a few methods that tend to give success in finding peace and tranquility for nearly anyone that tries them.

Ideally, you want to form some healthy spiritual habits, so that when you’re traveling on bumpy air, you can push the “auto-pilot” button that rights the plane and keeps you flying level and straight.

1) Get connected.

No matter how alone in your struggles you may feel, you have to remember that you are not alone. You are part of a larger group that is there to support one another – the Body of Christ.

If you don’t currently have a “religious home,” look around and find a church and get plugged in. Even if you already have a great church, make sure it’s small and intimate or find a few fellow church members to build a closer relationship with.

Getting together and connected regularly with a few people allows you a safe space in which to feel vulnerable and gain support, no matter what storm you are facing. Most likely, someone has had a similar hardship and they will be there for you.

If you’re not yet comfortable immersing yourself into a church either for religious or social comfort reasons, it’s still important to be connected to some close friends or family who you can reach out to in times of trouble and need. Make an effort to connect with just one person you trust amidst your storm and get this process started.

2) Establish new habits.

A great first new habit to get started with, if you aren’t yet, is to get into the Bible every morning and spend even a few minutes meditating on at least one passage of scripture. I recommend lingering in the Psalms and the Gospel of John as a good way to get started.

Personally, I keep a devotional basket ready to go beside my bed, so that I can dive right in that much faster (so that my day starts smoothly and I won’t find that I’ve created a new storm with a rocky morning)!

A lot of times we don’t realize how much we work ourselves up into a troubled patch on our journey, purely due to poor time management that leads to stress, anxiety, and frustration at feeling like we are “behind” or “not moving fast enough.” Sometimes taking a hard look at your productivity habits — both personally and professionally — can help you find places to make changes to ease your mind and find serenity in life.

3) Get “smart” and find useful apps for your situation.

Even if you’re on the go more often than not, it’s still important to have a way to fill your mind and heart with good things.

There are a lot of apps out there to help you get your mind into a state of peace and tranquility, but since I like to start with scripture-related efforts to soothe my mind, there are a few in that area I would recommend:

• Bible Gateway
• Refnet
• Bible Memory
• RightNow Media
• Moody Radio

Obviously, in today’s world, we are all super busy, all the time. But with just a little bit of effort and some easy Bible study tips to find creative ways to fit the word into your day.

4) Listen to the messages around you.

Listen to the Bible before you go to sleep and in the morning when you’re brushing your teeth and getting ready. The YouVersion app allows you to hear the Bible read aloud. So pop those headphones in or sync up the Bluetooth speaker and fill your mind with good things.

A favorite scripture that I try to “hear” when I get overwhelmed is Philippians 4:6-8 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

I find that the more I pray, the more I “hear” in reply. Call it God, the voice in your head, or whatever you need to, but know that you CAN and WILL find serenity and understanding if you can find a way to increase mindfulness in your life — calm your body, your anxious mind, and your heart to become more receptive to whatever the higher power chooses to send to you.

5) Dive deeper into God’s word.

There’s something so special about setting aside time to study more in-depth truths found in the Word.

Studying and meditating gives you time to get the Bible first into your mind, then down into your heart. It doesn’t have to be complicated — just quietly read a passage and reflect on its meaning, think about what you learn from it, and then verbalize how you will apply that learning to your life.

I’ve written two studies that walk you through this process in a simple yet effective way. The passages in my book Inspired, Peace in the Garden are dear to my heart because God gave me those when I was going through a very sad and lonely time. In short, it’s 30-days to a more peaceful heart.

What could be better than that?

6) Get physical.

Take walks. While you’re walking either listen to some fulfilling and inspiring podcasts or sing along to some peaceful worship music.

Everyone wishes there was a magical pill for everything, and a magical pill to permanently cure anxiety and stress is no different. Ask any medical doctor, and they’ll tell you that exercise is as close as you’ll get to the magic fix we sometimes so strongly desire.

7) Audio Books.

These are great for when you’re driving, working around the house or mowing the lawn.

Regardless of the content — be it Christian, fiction, non-fiction, or even children’s stories — giving your mind a chance to “get out of its own way” for a little why by immersing yourself in a book is another excellent way to reduce those feeling of overwhelm.

Consider signing up for an Audible membership trial through Amazon, since they have such a massive selection to choose from!

Some books that I would highly recommend are:

• Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis
• The Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer
• Crazy Love, Francis Chan
• Radical:  Taking Back Your Faith From The American Dream, David Platt
• Knowing God, J.I. Packer
• The Promise of Security, Beth Moore

How To Find Inner Peace With Yourself

John 16:33 (NIV) says:  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

It’s hard to find peace in today’s world.

But there are few things in this world that are more calming when going through tough times than the promise that Jesus is by our side to use these hardships to shape and mold us into who we are meant to be.

Try to remember:  this is a refining process, and that means just that…a process. While it can be uncomfortable to have to go through the transformation at hand, it’s not something you can run from. Your trials have been put in your life to allow you to grow and become exactly who you were designed to be.

God has a loving plan that is specific for you, and you alone.

You can’t compare your path to others, because your life has a different outcome intended.

You cannot wish for a different outcome, because you would be telling God that you don’t like His plans for you.

Learn to trust that He truly has YOUR best interests at heart. Lean into Him for comfort in the midst of all of your life’s storms.

So long as you have a solid coping plan and a heart full of trust in Jesus and His provision, you will see through to the end of all your trials. Remember to rely on not your own strength, but His.

Sally Davidson is the writer behind Inspired & Refreshed, where she teaches how to Bible journal and truly study and understand God’s word. She is passionate about encouraging others in their faith, helping them find the time in their busy lives to connect both more and creatively with the scriptures. She is also a self-published author of two Bible studies coloring books, available on Amazon. You can follow her on Pinterest for regular Bible journaling and studying advice, or you can reach out to her on Facebook for a more personal connection.