I found faith in high school but although I’d given my life to Christ, I had no idea how to break free from the chains already surrounding me. I had no idea how to weather the storms I’d face in the next few years with peace and hope and certainty. And so in spite of my faith, I walked forward unprepared, unsteady.

I thought this was the faith I’d committed to. Deep down, I thought God worked for His will and that my heart didn’t matter. So even in my faith, I tried everything I could to remain steady despite my hurting heart.

God woke me up to the truth of His peace and all-consuming love when I reached an all-time low. I was lost and hurting and ready to give up, but it was that darkness that I started to see the light.

All along I was waiting until I felt steady, until life became steady, to claim the true peace that God offered. It wasn’t until the storms subsided that I realized the peace had nothing to do with my circumstances.

Because God’s peace is fullest when we are feeling unsteady. His grace is most powerful when we are weak and hurting. It’s in our weakness, that His strength can be most abundantly felt.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” -2 Corinthians 12:9

Waiting for life to become steady, for your circumstances to still, isn’t what brings peace. Finding peace when life feels unsteady is exactly where God calls us to.

It’s okay if you feel unsteady. It’s okay if you feel overcome with the chains and brokenness. Because God offers you His abundant peace. He offers you hope and joy right where you are.

So today, let’s take a look at how to find peace when you feel unsteady.

Ground Yourself in the Truth (Despite Your Feelings)

When our circumstances, our hearts or our emotions are tumbling wildly out of control, the ground we stand on can become extremely unsteady.

Maybe you can relate when I say that oftentimes, I let my emotions lead me. I don’t want to, but when my emotions surge, I get swept away.

Or maybe, you let your circumstances sweep you away. Changes, transitions or busyness dictate your peace and your days.

God asks us not to let our circumstances and our emotions control our hearts. Instead, we are to keep our hearts and minds focused on Him.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. -Colossians 3:15

We must choose to let God’s consuming peace be the ruler of our hearts. And to do this, we must ground ourselves in the truth. Fill your heart and mind with Scripture and the truth of God’s love and this will strengthen you to stand on truth and find peace.

Take Hold of the One Who is Steady

When we fill our hearts and our minds with Christ and take every thought captive and make it obedient to Him, we will find peace.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. -2 Corinthians 10:5

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. -Philippians 4:8-9

We have a choice in how we direct our thoughts. We are not victims of our thoughts but are called to a spirit of self-control.

When you allow your thoughts to be led by your circumstances and unhealthy or toxic thinking, you are allowing Satan a foothold.

Instead, you can take hold of what God calls us to focus our minds on. You can take captive the thoughts that lead you away from this peace and make them obedient to the hope you have in Christ. You can then direct your thoughts to the very things listen in Philippians 4, things that are true, noble, right and pure.

When you do this, you’re taking a stand against Satan, and taking hold of the peace that Christ abundantly offers.

Walk Forward in His Strength (Despite Your Fears)

When you can begin to direct your thoughts and find hope and peace, even when things are unsteady, you can begin to live out active faith no matter your circumstance.

Faith is not simply an idea but is measured in the fruit it produces. We may say we have faith in something, but that faith is not active until we live it out.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. -Hebrews 11:1

In confidence and assurance, step forward in faith, no matter your circumstance. God will bless your steps when they are done so in faith and surrender.

Don’t allow fear, insecurity or doubt to be the director of your steps. This gives Satan a major foothold into your mind and your peace.

Stepping out in faith isn’t easy, but is so rewarding. It is one of the most powerful ways to extinguish Satan’s schemes in your life.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. -Ephesians 6:16

When you step out in faith, it literally extinguishes the flaming arrows of Satan. How can you step out in faith today?

If you are struggling with how to find peace when you feel unsteady, I would encourage you to plant your feet solidly on the truth, to take your thoughts captive and take hold of the hope of Christ and to take that peace and assurance and step out in faith, regardless of doubt and fear.

When you do these things, you will learn how to find peace, even when your circumstances are unsteady.