What does it mean to stay calm? It means we purposely choose to be in a state of tranquility and quiet amidst the storms of life that rage around us.
“You cannot perceive beauty, but with a serene mind.” Henry David Thoreau
Maybe staying calm isn’t as easy as it sounds, but it is possible and very beneficial.
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” William James
I feel like the decision to stay calm is a daily or even sometimes a minute-by-minute choice; like the quote says, we have to choose one thought over another. Here are a few things that have helped me tremendously.
- Wake up and connect with the Lord first thing.
- Recognize the problems and pray, do what you can.
- Look for the good and embrace it, be thankful to God and others.
- Limit your exposure to negative things.
- Help someone else, this is always a great way to change course.
- Learn to trust the Lord and let go of what you cannot control or change.
- Find out what makes you feel good and put it into your schedule. Maybe its music, hobbies, time with family and friends or the all-important fellowship with other believers.
- Choose good thoughts over negative ones.
- Make it a priority to be a calm and gentle person, it’s a conscious decision.
- Find a few Bible verses like Philippians 4:13 and audibly and in your head repeat them to yourself when you need to calm down or get through things.
- Embrace the serenity prayer and the live by faith.
We live in uncertain times. We cannot ignore everything and hope all will be well. We need to do what we can and leave the rest to God in prayer.
Psalm 131:2 But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.
Set an example and be the calm person in someone’s life. Be a beacon of hope for others by sharing how you are able to stay calm in troubled times.
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
May we all strive to do everything with the joy of Jesus in your heart, a calm demeanor, a kind word, and a smile on our face.
The Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. (by Reinhold Niebuhr) in Jesus’ name, amen.
God Bless
Sincerely,
Sally
Very good advice.