Finding Peace in the Midst of Stress

In our fast-paced world, stress has become an unwelcome companion for many of us. We often find ourselves caught in a whirlwind of worry, our minds churning with “what-ifs” and worst-case scenarios.

But what if we could view stress differently? What if, instead of seeing it as a burden, we could recognize it as a transformative gift? Stress can become a catalyst for growth and change. It’s in these hard moments that we gain appreciation, find comfort, and are convicted to live differently. The key lies in how we respond to stress—and where we turn for strength.

The chaos of stress can be overwhelming—unpaid bills, social anxieties, workplace conflicts, personal struggles. Add the constant voice of worry, and we feel trapped in a spiral.

But here’s the honest question: Does all this worrying actually help? As one character in the movie Bridge of Spies asked when facing a dire situation: “Would it help?”

That simple question forces us to rethink our approach to stress. Because often, the real problem isn’t the stress itself—it’s when we either deny it (pretend nothing is wrong) or dwell on it excessively (let it consume us). Both extremes leave us self-absorbed, irritable, and impatient, sometimes even justifying behaviors we know aren’t right.

So how do we break free from this cycle? Scripture points us back to trust:

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.”
— Psalm 46:1–2

Even if the very ground beneath us seems to crumble, God calls us to trust Him. It’s a bold invitation to face our stress and declare: “No matter what the what-ifs are, I can trust.”

We see this modeled in Jesus’ own life. Though He faced incredible stress—from temptation to betrayal to the cross—He continually withdrew to pray. That time with His Father gave Him strength to return with compassion. On the cross, despite His suffering, He made sure His mother would be cared for. Even in His most stressful moments, He loved others.

The apostle Peter echoes this call:

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
— 1 Peter 5:6–7

Like a grove of aspen trees whose roots are intertwined, we are meant to lean on God and one another. In community, we find strength to withstand the storms.

So what does trusting God in stress actually look like? Here are a few simple practices:

• Rest and pray – Make space for solitude with God.
• Meditate on Scripture – Drink deeply from passages like Psalm 46.
• Practice compassion – Serve someone else, even on a hard day.
• Confront lies with truth – Remind yourself that God is greater than uncertainty.
• Choose joy – Rejoice in all circumstances; gratitude transforms perspective.

At its core, facing stress means leaning on God in an extra way. It’s trusting that He provides what we need—not always by removing the stress, but by giving us His peace in the middle of it.

Ultimately, peace comes not from our ability to fix every problem, but from God’s unchanging presence.
Even in chaos, may you discover:

• His presence in stillness
• His strength in weakness
• His peace in the storm

If you’d like to go deeper into how to find peace in the midst of stress, we invite you to watch the full sermon and be encouraged.