How to Find Peace of Mind When Life Feels Overwhelming
By Terry Porter | Life, Relationship & Leadership Coach
I don’t know about you, but my mind is not always at peace. Sometimes I finish one responsibility only to remember three more. Stress at home, work, and in relationships can make it difficult to quiet my thoughts—even when the house is finally quiet.
If you are wondering how to find peace of mind, start here: bring your concerns to God, identify the responsibilities that belong to you, and invite trusted people to walk alongside you. You do not need to solve every problem today to take a faithful next step.
What Does the Bible Say About Peace of Mind?
Isaiah 26:3 offers this encouragement:
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” — Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
A steadfast mind is a mind that keeps returning to God. It does not mean you never feel afraid, have questions, or struggle to concentrate. Trust grows as you bring those experiences to Him and choose your next step.
When stress builds, my thoughts can turn into a running list of questions: How will I fix this? What if that happens? Why can’t I get this person to change?
Those questions can reveal where I am trying to carry more than my share. I am responsible for my choices, words, boundaries, and follow-through. I cannot control another person’s decisions or guarantee tomorrow’s outcome.
Trusting God means taking responsibility for what is mine while entrusting Him with what is beyond my control.
1. Pray About Everyday Life, Not Just Emergencies
Prayer can become a regular conversation with God rather than something we turn to only when we have run out of options. Philippians 4:6–7 connects bringing our requests to God, with thanksgiving, to His peace.
Before a difficult meeting, ask for wisdom. Before a conversation with your spouse, ask for patience and honesty. When a concern keeps resurfacing, name it specifically instead of trying to push it away.
Here is a simple prayer to practice:
“Father, You know what I am carrying. Help me see what is mine to do, give me courage to do it, and help me trust You with what I cannot control.”
Try this today: Choose one worry and turn it into an honest prayer. Then identify one responsible action you can take. That might be making a phone call, apologizing, asking for help, or setting a boundary.
2. Journal Your Thoughts to Find Your Next Step
When everything stays in my head, concerns can feel tangled together. Writing gives me a place to examine them one at a time.
You do not need a beautiful journal or a lengthy morning routine. Start with five minutes and these questions:
- What is weighing on me?
- What do I know, and what am I assuming?
- What is within my responsibility?
- What do I need to entrust to God?
- What is one helpful next step?
For example, “Our finances are a mess” is an overwhelming thought. “I need to review our spending and schedule a conversation about the budget” gives you something concrete to do.
Try this today: Divide a page into two columns: “My responsibility” and “Beyond my control.” Write down your concerns, then choose one action from the first column.
3. Talk With a Trusted Friend
We were never meant to carry every burden alone. Galatians 6:2 calls us to carry one another’s burdens, and Proverbs 27:9 highlights the value of heartfelt counsel from a friend.
A trusted friend can listen, ask a thoughtful question, and help you see something you may have missed. Look for someone who cares about you enough to offer both compassion and truth.
Sometimes you need encouragement. Sometimes you need help challenging an assumption. Sometimes you need someone to say, “That is a lot to carry. Let’s think about the next step together.”
Be specific when you reach out:
“Could we talk this week? I have something weighing on me, and I would appreciate your perspective.”
Try this today: Contact one trusted person and make time to connect. You do not need to wait until you have everything figured out.
Practice Returning to Peace
You may pray, write down your concerns, talk with a friend—and still feel unsettled later. That does not make those steps meaningless or your faith inadequate. Return to them as often as you need.
Ask yourself: What am I carrying today? What is mine to do? Who can walk with me?
Peace of mind can grow alongside honest conversations, healthy boundaries, and practical action. You can trust God while continuing to work through a difficult situation.
Need Help Moving From Overwhelm to a Clear Next Step?
If stress, relationship tension, or competing responsibilities have left you feeling stuck, coaching can provide space to clarify what matters and develop practical steps forward.
I help individuals and couples work on communication, boundaries, personal responsibility, and healthier relationships. We can explore what is within your control and how you want to respond to the challenges in front of you.
I offer coaching in Traverse City, Michigan, and online through Zoom.
Schedule a free consultation with Terry Porter to discuss your goals and see whether coaching is a good fit.
About Terry Porter
Terry Porter is a Life, Relationship & Leadership Coach based in Traverse City, Michigan. He is a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation and holds a master’s degree in Executive Coaching and Organizational Consulting from the Townsend Institute. Drawing on more than 20 years of pastoral experience, Terry combines biblical wisdom with practical coaching tools to help individuals, couples, and leaders build healthier relationships and take greater ownership of their lives.
