No matter what challenges you face, you can find peace of mind and heart with the Bible’s life-giving words.
1. When you face a problem, refuse to think thoughts of failure.
God can’t help you unless you trust him to help. Turn your thoughts from the problem to the God with whom all things are possible. Trust him to guide you to his wise, loving solution. “For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13).
2. Put your problems in perspective.
Things are seldom as big or scary as they seem. Patience and perseverance can make your problems manageable. Prayer is vital, too. After you pray and wait, often it becomes clear what you can do to solve a problem. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).
3. Live one day at a time.
Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow” (Matthew 6:34). Our Lord told us to pray about our needs one day at a time: “Give us today our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). When we leave the past behind and entrust the future to God, life can be filled joy.
4. Never forget the Lord’s desire to give you his blessing and peace.
“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).
5. Celebrate what you can be thankful for.
One of the vital principles of a peaceful, happy life is thankfulness. God asks us to give thanks always for everything (Ephesians 5:20). “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
6. Instead of asking, “Why?” or, “Why me?” ask what God wants you to do about the situation.
Every disaster is an opportunity to let Christ work through you to demonstrate his love and power. “Be an example…in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
7. Trust God for what you can’t understand.
Man’s inhumanity to man can be overwhelming, difficult to accept much less understand. How can such cruelty exist in a world created by a loving God? But wars and natural disasters are nothing new. They have been around for as long as man has. We are imperfect creatures living in a world where sin and evil have been set free. But God is still in control! Despite the tempest that may rage around you, Jesus promises, “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” (John 14:27).
