7 Life-Giving Practices for Seeking Joy & Peace

1. Read the Bible. Like, a lot! Find passages in the scriptures that speak to what you’re going through, write them on notecards, and tape them in different places where you’ll see them each day (i.e. bathroom mirror, nightstand, fridge, etc.). Read them aloud when you see them. When Jesus was tempted by Satan’s lies in the wilderness for 40 days, He responded with Scripture, and that shut him up! God has made many promises, and His Word is true, alive and active for us, relevant to every circumstance. 
   

2. Limit media exposure. I’m talking news, social media, music. News can cause us to spiral (especially these days). Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:24). He knows our brains can’t handle the barrage of what-ifs. I believe He will alert us to what we need to know today. Social media is a catalyst for discontent and comparison. Most people only share the best parts of their lives, and that is not a realistic or fully accurate picture, but it sure can make you feel crappy at times. A lot of music is just not life-giving. Whether we realize it or not, lyrics do affect us. Limit your music to that which honors God and reminds you of what is true. 
   

3. Get outside/buy a happy light/take vitamin D supplements. This is a huge deal in the PNW! Seasonal affective disorder is real! 
   

4. Exercise. Exercise releases endorphins. It can be hard to motivate yourself to start, but I always feel better once I’ve had some physical activity. 
   

5. Focus on others. C. S. Lewis said that humility is not thinking less of yourself but “thinking of yourself less.” One of the best ways to get unstuck from a cycle of despair is to think about how you can bless other people in need, and to do it. Volunteer. Pray for others. Send a note of encouragement. 
   

6. Make a backup plan. If you’re worried about something that seems like it might happen, then make realistic plans to prepare for the worst. That way, you can have some peace of mind, knowing you have options in case it happens. If it’s not too upsetting for you, follow the train of thought into the worst case scenario. My guess is that you’ll be able to handle whatever it could be—maybe not on your own, but with Christ, and support from His body. And thinking it through may help it to be less scary. The unknown always feels scarier, at least to me!
   

7. Spend time alone with Jesus. He doesn’t want you for your job, or your friends, or your family, or anything else you think comprises your identity. He wants you because He made you, and that alone makes you valuable enough for Him to die an excruciating death, just so you wouldn’t have to be separated from Him! There is “No greater love than this” (John 15:13). Removing yourself from the distractions of life is vulnerable, but Jesus wants you, and not just what you can do for Him. And maybe He wants to say something to you that you can’t hear due to the distractions. If nothing else, He has promised to give peace that surpasses understanding when you pray (Philippians 4:6-7). 

Photo by Catalin Pop on Unsplash