“Nothing will ever be the same again.”
“I’ll never laugh again or feel happiness again.”
“This pain will never end.”
“This grief is so heavy.”
Those were all thoughts I remember having after we lost our 4-year-old son, Sam.
When you’re going through pain that is so deep, it’s hard to see the other side.
The side where you’ll laugh again and experience joy again.
But my friends, I’m here to tell you that you CAN experience peace in the middle of your storm.
You will have joy again.
You will laugh again.
You will see the sun shine again in your life.
And it’s all made possible by leaning into Jesus. Let him carry you. Let him take off every burden that’s too heavy to bear. He’s strong enough to take it all.
But there are some things that you can do to help bring peace in the middle of your storm.
Let’s look at Jesus.
Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
Matthew 8:23-26
He had complete and utter peace even though the storm was raging around him.
And we have access to that same peace.
Today I wanted to give you 5 practical things you can do in the middle of your storm to experience overwhelming peace.
1. Find a lifesaver verse
There are going to be times in your journey that you’ll feel like you’re drowning. The pain will be too deep for you to come out of on your own.
It’s in those moments you need to have what I call “lifesaver verses”. These are particular verses that you can repeat over and over and over again until the truths of those verses wash over you.
My lifesaver verse when I was walking through my grief of losing Sam and my miscarriages was:
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
When I would begin to feel the weight of the grief settle on my chest, I would close my eyes and repeat that verse over and over again until I felt his peace wash over me.
So I encourage you to find a verse that you can cling to in those hard moments.
If you’re unsure of what your lifesaver verse should be, I have a FREE printable you can download that’s full of great options you could use for your lifesaver verse!
You can access the downloaded here!
2. Go outside for a walk
There’s something about going outside and breathing in the fresh air.
It clears your mind and connects you almost immediately with God. That’s his creation. That’s the work of his hand.
When I would start to feel the walls of my house closing in on me, I would slip on my sneakers and go for a long walk.
Just me and Jesus.
Sometimes I would talk to him.
Sometimes I would just walk and let his healing love pour over me with every step I take.
When the breeze would blow, I would close me eyes and I could almost feel Sam walking with me.
3. Diffuse lavender essential oil
In the first few months after losing Sam it would be really hard for me to go to sleep. I was okay during the day with all the distractions of the day, but as soon as I laid down and there was nothing but quiet…my mind would go straight to him not being here.
It became really hard for me to sleep.
If this is you, then let me tell you what worked for me.
I would listen to this one worship song (more on that below) and diffuse lavender essential oil on the nightstand right beside my pillow.
Lavender essential oil is known for it’s calming benefits – and it worked for me!
I buy all of my essential oils from Plant Therapy. They have high quality oils at incredible prices. (If you use that link you can get $10 off of $25 for your first order). I highly recommend them!
Related: 15 Essential Oils to Help You Overcome Grief
4. Worship Music
As I stated above, I had a really hard time falling asleep in the months after we lost Sam. Diffusing lavender essential oil and listening to this worship song by Jason Upton literally saved me.
Within minutes of me breathing those oils and listening to this song I was asleep.
I would wake up in the middle of the night with my headset halfway around my neck and the other half hanging off the side of the pillow! Lol!
But it worked. I was able to fall asleep peacefully every time.
I used to say that the angels would sing me to sleep every night. 🙂
5. Create a gratitude journal
We all know the verse that talks about the “peace that passes all understanding”, but do you know the first part of that verse?
How do you get access to this peace? This peace that doesn’t make sense?
One – having a relationship with Jesus and knowing who he is before the storm hits is key.
Related: I Believe in You – Even If You Don’t Answer My Prayers
But the second key is found in the first part of that verse:
Do not be anxious about anything, 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.
Philippians 4:6-7
Did you see that?
…but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Thanksgiving. Gratitude.
The key to peace that doesn’t make sense:
Gratitude.
The fastest way to get rid of anxiety and worry is to remind yourself of all the times God has pulled through for you.
Of all the blessings he’s given you.
Sometimes that can be hard to see if you’re having to wade through deep waters, but it can even be little things.
You woke up.
You’re breathing.
You have food in the fridge.
The beautiful sunset.
The blue sky.
If we consciously set our minds and our thoughts on his goodness, his faithfulness, his provision, it’s a promise that we’ll experience his peace.
And that peace? It will guard our hearts and our minds.
So I encourage you to get a journal or open up Google Docs and just start writing.
Write down all the things God has done for you and watch your anxiety and worry melt away as you set your mind on his goodness and faithfulness.
I’m praying over you my sweet friends – that you can experience a peace that doesn’t make sense. A peace you can’t explain. His peace.
If you’re going through deep waters, I would love to join with you in prayer. Send me a message so I can begin praying peace over your heart!
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