How Can I Hold Onto Peace Under the Pressure?
Why does peace feel so short-lived? Learn how to hold on to God's peace through daily pressure by continually turning your heart back to Jesus.
LIVING DEVOTED
Debra Miner
9/7/20263 min read
How Can I Hold Onto Peace
Under the Pressure?
9/9/2026
Why is peace so fleeting? It comes in sweet times and joyful occasions and leaves with mounting pressure and demanding stress. The promise of peace seems short-lived at best.
Let’s clarify though. We have peace with God that never ends. He gave us that gift at salvation. Eternal. Bridging the gap. Our rescue. An invitation to intimacy.
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (Romans 5:1 NLT).
But Jesus promised another peace as well. Peace of God.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27 NLT).
Too often, I find myself pressed under worry, tension, or demands. The sense of peace? Elusive and out of reach.
How do we stay in this peace?
The struggle between “the cares of this world” (Mark 4:19 BSB) and the Kingdom of Heaven battles within our soul. Pushed and pulled. Down under the weight. Up to the Cross. As Christians, shouldn’t we live in peace continually? Untouchable, so to speak?
Actually, that’s not how it works. Jesus said, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have [trouble]. But take courage; I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33 BSB).
We tend to exist and suffer through our circumstances without considering another way. The stress and pain are just part of the human existence, right? However, it’s a struggle … with hope.
I find that peace is a continual journey rather than a single divine exchange.
Isn’t that exactly what the Lord is looking for? Hearts that continue to set their focus on Him.
We must lean in. Not strive or wrestle for peace, but continue to pursue Jesus. In the midst of the stress, chaos, and pain.
This search for peace is an invitation to dependency and intimacy with the One who loves you most. He never leaves … your mind knows it. But your heart can also experience sweet peace as you continue to set your gaze and look to Jesus. Not once, but again and again.
What does that look like?
“But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31a BSB). Does that mean you need to sit in a room by yourself waiting until you feel peaceful?
Recently, this is what it meant for me as I chased the Lord Jesus for peace:
In the morning, I journaled a short prayer confessing I was struggling and asking the Lord to come and lift the stress.
Throughout the next couple hours while I was working, I silently prayed and asked if I needed to change the way I was going about my activities or cancel some altogether.
While I was driving, I listened intentionally to some worship music my soul knew well.
Later, I again asked the Lord to come lift the pressure and bring His peace in the middle of the activity and chaos.
I wondered what I was doing wrong when the Scriptures repeat His promises of peace. I knew I was in over my head, but what was I supposed to do about it? I really wanted to bail. I felt like Peter in the ocean. My circumstances and the stress of them were causing me to sink.
I was reminded of the Lord’s instructions to Joshua, “Do not be afraid … for the Lord your God is with you” (Joshua 1:9 BSB).
I sensed His whisper, “Do you trust me even when it doesn’t make sense? Even when it’s hard?” As I went on another errand, a familiar song came to mind about the Lord’s faithfulness. I found it on my phone and engaged with my soul. Gradually the pressure lifted and His wonderful peace filled the space.
The thing is: I’m going to have to continue to repeat the process until this season is over. It’s not a one and done. It’s a lifestyle of continually turning to Jesus, knowing His promises, believing He is faithful, and pursuing Jesus until you experience His truth.
Maybe you’re feeling that right now. Don’t just suffer through your circumstances. Pursue Jesus. Not just once, but continually. Here are some additional Scriptures you can think about: Isaiah 26:3, Philippians 4:6–7, Matthew 11:28–30, 1 Peter 5:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:16.
Don’t give up. I can’t even describe how much the Lord loves you. Keep asking. Keep leaning into Him.
Drop me a message. I’d love to hear about your journey and what God is teaching you.
Living Devoted,
