Finding Peace When the World Feels Like It’s Falling Apart

Can we just be honest for a second: the world feels wild right now. Every time you refresh your feed on your favorite social media or news outlet, it’s another gut punch. School shootings. People from all walks of life are being murdered, including public figures. Believers fighting each other over who’s right or wrong in the aftermath. ICE raids tearing families apart. Human trafficking headlines that make your stomach drop. Wars raging overseas. The rapture... never mind.

It’s heavy.

It’s scary.

And if we’re being real? It’s downright exhausting.

If you’ve found yourself staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m. thinking, “Lord, how do I keep my sanity in all this?” — you’re not alone. The swirl of chaos is designed to steal your peace, distract your mind, and drain your emotional capacity.

Thankfully, here’s the good news: Jesus already told us this would happen. “In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Notice He didn’t sugarcoat it. He didn’t say, “Follow Me and life will feel like a spa day.” No—He told us storms would come, but He also promised His peace in the middle of it all.

So how do we actually hold onto that peace when everything around us feels like it’s unraveling? I'm glad you asked!

1. Limit Your Doom Scroll (Your Brain Will Thank You)

Look, I’m not saying bury your head in the sand. We should be aware of what’s happening so we can pray and respond. But being glued to breaking news like it’s the latest Netflix series? That’s a fast track to anxiety-ville.

Your nervous system wasn’t built to carry the weight of the entire world in real time. It’s okay to log off. You don’t need a play-by-play of every tragedy. Guard your intake like you guard your Chick-fil-A nuggets from hungry toddlers.

2. Bring Your Messy Emotions to God (Yes, Even the Ugly Ones)

Can we stop pretending prayer always sounds like a Hallmark card or a Shakespeare poem? Some days, it’s more like: “God, I’m angry. I’m scared. I don’t understand. Help me.”

And guess what? He can handle it. He wants you to bring the raw, unfiltered version of your heart. That’s how intimacy is built. That’s how burdens get lifted.

Philippians 4:6–7 isn’t an inspirational quote for a coffee mug—it’s a survival tool. Pour it out in prayer, and then watch how His peace actually shows up, guarding your heart and mind like a divine security system.

3. Set Boundaries Around Heavy Conversations

Everybody’s got an opinion right now—especially within the body of Christ. And sadly, division is loud. If you’re not careful, you’ll find yourself drained from debates that don’t bear fruit.

Jesus never called you to win every argument. He called you to love people, guard your peace, and walk in wisdom. Sometimes that means saying, “I love you, but I’m not having this conversation right now.” Boundaries protect your sanity. Period.

4. Take Care of Your Body Like It’s a Temple (Because It Is)

When chaos strikes, the first things to go are usually sleep, movement, and healthy food. But here’s the truth: your spiritual resilience is deeply connected to your physical and emotional health.

Drink water. Stretch. Take a walk outside. Eat something green (French fries don’t count, sorry). You can’t pour into others if you’re running on fumes.

5. Remember the Bigger Story

It’s easy to look at headlines and think evil is winning. But don’t forget—God isn’t pacing the floors of heaven nervously checking CNN. He is still sovereign. He is still on the throne.

Isaiah 26:3 promises: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”The chaos is real, but so is His control. And He has the final word.

So What Do We Do With All This?

We grieve with those who grieve. We pray boldly for justice and peace. We show up for our families, our communities, our churches. We steward our emotional wellness so we don’t burn out before the battle is over. Most importantly, we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus—because He’s the only source of true peace in a world gone mad.

Yes, the world feels like it’s on fire. However, the good news is that, as children of God, we don’t walk into the fire alone. Peace isn’t just possible—it’s promised.

So tonight, shut the laptop. Take a deep breath. Whisper a messy prayer. And remind yourself: chaos doesn’t get the final say. Jesus does.

A man praying

A Prayer for Peace in the Chaos

Lord,

You see the brokenness, the violence, the division, and the pain that’s weighing on our hearts. We confess that it feels overwhelming at times, and we don’t always know what to do with the fear and anger that rises up inside of us.

Right now, we choose to lay it all at Your feet. We ask for Your peace—the kind that surpasses all understanding—to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Strengthen us when we feel weary. Remind us of Your sovereignty when the world feels out of control. Give us wisdom to set boundaries, courage to stand for truth, and compassion to love like You love.

Lord, remind us daily that evil does not get the final word—You do.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

With love, peace, and tons of grace,

Adrienne K.