I have felt so stressed out recently.

• Like when I am deciding what to do with two toddlers, on an empty day, with a tight budget.
• Like when I look at the week ahead and see seven jam-packed evenings and little breathing room.
• Like when I wonder how the future is going to look; how will we afford that… how will we get there… what will happen…

I have two toddlers and I look after them full time. It is physically full-on… running around from park to playdough.

Yet, it can be mentally slow. I love my kids and I believe God led me to become a stay-at-home mum. But, I really struggle with what I call: “being in my own head too much.”

I overthink.

And my tendency has been to let my thoughts wander down a fear-filled route.

I fear that I am not achieving enough and I fear am not parenting well and I fear that I am making a bunch of wrong decisions…

The more I wander down this thought path, the more fear grows.

Here is the thing though: I don’t have to go down that route.

Because I believe in Jesus, I have access to His peace at any given moment. Jesus gave it to all who follow Him. He said:

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, NIV.

He literally gives us peace for the taking. It’s not something we have to grab at and get. If we’ve accepted Jesus as saviour, peace is actually in our hearts.

Peace has been left with us; a gift from Jesus.

But we can let other stuff drown out that peace, we can let trouble and fear shout loud.

Peace is just a whisper, but it is ours to tune into.

I think accepting peace is a choice.

So I’ve got 3 little thoughts about how we can daily accept that peace.

1. Eliminate trouble.

The verse in John makes it clear that we can do things to drown out that peace – we can do things that can make our hearts feel “troubled,” instead.

Now, not all trouble is our fault. But sometimes we do stuff that God’s not asking us to and that’s the trouble I am talking about here.

Perhaps we spend money that we don’t have, maybe we say “yes” to far too many things in one week, or maybe we’ve not actually sought God’s direction on that job, that house…

There are so many things that can cause trouble to cloud the peace Jesus gives.

I think some of us might need to ask the question: Is there anything that is causing trouble in my heart?

Allow the Holy Spirit to answer, just sit for a moment with that question and then dare to repent. Dare to make the change, quit the job, say “no”, or get a budget.

2. Eradicate Fear.

Maybe you are like me and you are allowing fear to rule your mind. But in the verse in John, Jesus says: “do not be afraid.”

A couple of days ago I woke up and didn’t know what to do with my 1.5 year old son.

I had a no-plans morning with him and I started to feel anxious.

Fear began to creep in reminding me of all the things I didn’t have…

And then I did something.

I paused.

I put my son in his buggy, and parked it in front of the television, for a moment.

I went upstairs and I prayed:

“God, how are you giving me peace today?”

(It’s a question I learnt to ask after reading Tony Stoltzfus’ book, “Question’s for Jesus.”)

In asking that question I connected with the source of life, trusting that He was going to show up and fill my need for peace.

He did. He gave me an idea of where to go and I was given a free hot chocolate when I arrived at my location! No joke!

To me, it was a personal reminder that I serve a God that loves me, sees me and cares for me.

If you are constantly letting your mind wander down a fear route, try asking God a question like: “How are you giving me [peace, joy, love, other] today?”

3. End Loneliness!

One final thing that has helped me feel peace amidst busyness and chaos has been community.

Yesterday, I rang a wonderful friend and mentor and I told her about this one thought path that had been filling my brain with worry all week. As soon as I told her, I knew what to do about it.

I often over-spiritualise really simple things when I am left alone in my head for too long.

Sometimes we need to tell people our crazy thoughts.

Not so long ago, my best friend said to me: “Can I tell you a crazy thought?”

When she told me what had been on her mind I was able to listen and she has exactly the same response as I did with my mentor… Once the thought was in the open, she knew what to do about it.

Write down your worries, take them to Jesus. But also make sure the ones that are making you feel all of the emotions are brought to light, through telling someone. A friend, a mentor, or your mum will do!

If you keep those thoughts to yourself you can end up giving them permission to grow three times the size they ever needed to.

I have been struggling with loneliness in the day to day or being a stay-at-home mum. It has been so mentally isolating at times. But it is important that I ask God for help with that. That I stay connected to friends and mentors. That I pray for God to lead me to the people he wants me to know and be known by.

• Some of you probably need to ask God for a friend.
• Some of you might need to pick up your phone and call that friend you know “gets it.” Even if it’s been a year. I believe you just need to do it.
• Some of you need to tell the friends you have about those thoughts that are growing and making you feel crazy. They will shrink when you tell someone. Promise.

Conclusion

Philippians 4 says:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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.

Philippians 4: 4-7, NIV.

This verse gives us more clues as how we can feel that peace: worship and prayer.

But, I just wanted to end by saying: God is near. He is closer than your skin and bones.

He really is with you.

And, as I write today, I just hope that you know that He really does have everything you need. He has the peace you need, the answers you need and the hope you need for your future.

He is the love you need when you are being way too hard on yourself.

So check in with Him this week. Ask:

• What is causing trouble in my heart, Lord?
• How are you giving me peace?
• Who should I share my thoughts with, God?

I pray this week would be a turning point and that you would experience that unfathomable peace that Jesus gives.