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Walking Through the Bible: Genesis

Posted on June 16, 2026June 11, 2026 by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

I wanted to share something from my heart.

This year, I’ve been intentionally reading through the Bible using a Bible-in-a-year study from The Daily Grace Co. I’ve mentioned it here before, but this experience has been eye-opening. It’s the first time I’ve approached reading the Bible with this much intention. I also made a decision that has changed everything for me: instead of reading silently, I’ve started reading the Bible out loud.

As an ADHD reader, I tend to skim without realizing it. Sometimes I gloss over details, miss important information, or create confusion simply because my eyes move faster than my brain processes the words. Reading Genesis out loud slowed me down. It forced me to pay attention. And while there wasn’t a lot of brand-new information in the book itself, hearing the words spoken brought Scripture to life in a way I hadn’t experienced before.

Along the way, I discovered a few things.

Now, some of you may read this and think, “Sheesh, for someone who’s been a Christian for over 30 years, this is Christianity 101.” And honestly? That’s fair.

But I’ve always believed there’s value in going back to the simple things. Sometimes we need to return to the beginning so we can see something we’ve missed before.

I’ve done this my whole life. Whenever I finish a TV series or a movie franchise, I immediately want to start over and watch it again. Once I know the ending, I notice connections, details, and foreshadowing I completely missed the first time around. I do the same thing with books.

The Bible is no different.

I know how the story ends. I know Jesus wins. I know we win.

Yet I love going back to where it all started—or more accurately, where God chose for us to begin learning about Him. God has always existed, so there is no beginning to go back to. (My finite brain still struggles to comprehend that.)

So that’s what I’m doing in this season.

Relearning.

Rediscovering.

Getting to know my Heavenly Father on a deeper level than ever before.

Here are a few things that stood out to me as I read through Genesis.

1. God is the ultimate Creator.

I look at the trees and think, “God made that.”

I look at the grass beneath my feet and remember that God put it there.

The sky bursts with brilliant yellows, reds, and oranges in the morning, shines blue throughout the day, and fades into violet at night because He said it should. The moon follows its appointed course because God commanded it. Every star sits exactly where He placed it.

And He did it all simply by speaking.

That amazes me.

2. God showed us how powerful words are.

See point number one.

Words have power.

God spoke creation into existence. He could have chosen any method He wanted, but He chose words.

I believe that’s one reason He gave us His Word. When we speak God’s Word, we’re not repeating empty phrases. We’re speaking truth, life, and power.

3. God keeps His promises.

One thing I loved about Genesis was the repetition.

God gave promises to Abraham.

Then He reminded Abraham of those promises.

Then He repeated them to Isaac.

Then He repeated them again to Jacob.

Over and over, I saw God reaffirm what He had already said.

Not because He forgot, but because He wanted them to remember.

From the very beginning, God demonstrated that He keeps every promise He makes.

4. God’s promises are still alive today.

When God promised Abraham blessing, increase, and descendants, He established a covenant that extended beyond Abraham himself.

That’s us.

That’s you and me.

Even if we aren’t part of Abraham’s physical family line, we’ve been grafted into God’s family through Jesus. Those promises still matter. They still carry weight. They still work because God hasn’t changed.

5. God turns what was meant for harm into good.

I’ve read Joseph’s story countless times, but this time something hit differently.

His brothers wanted to destroy him.

Instead, God used every betrayal, every setback, every unfair circumstance, and every delay to position Joseph exactly where he needed to be.

What others intended for evil, God used to save an entire nation from starvation.

And it didn’t happen overnight.

Joseph’s story unfolded over years.

He started as a cocky teenager with big dreams and eventually became second only to Pharaoh himself.

God was working the entire time, even when Joseph couldn’t see it.

6. God uses imperfect people.

This one encouraged me more than I can explain.

Abraham came from a family that worshiped idols.

Isaac repeated some of his father’s mistakes and lied about his wife.

Jacob built a reputation on deception.

Joseph struggled with pride.

None of them were perfect.

Yet none of their flaws stopped God from calling them, blessing them, protecting them, providing for them, or fulfilling His promises through them.

Genesis reminds me that God doesn’t wait for perfect people.

If He did, none of us would qualify.

As I finished Genesis, I realized I learned far more than facts about creation, covenants, and patriarchs. I learned something about the heart of God.

I saw His faithfulness.

I saw His patience.

I saw His mercy.

I saw His desire to keep pursuing people even when they stumble, fail, doubt, and make a mess of things.

Most of all, I saw a God who keeps His word.

And honestly, that makes me excited.

I’m excited for this season of learning, growing, and rediscovering Scripture with fresh eyes. I’m excited to slow down and really listen. And I’m excited to see what God reveals as I continue this journey.

Next up is Exodus.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for letting me share what’s on my heart. I think I may turn this into a series and pop on here each time I finish a book of the Bible to talk about what I’ve learned, what challenged me, and how God used it to grow my faith.

So here’s to Genesis—the first book of the Bible and the first post in what may become a very meaningful series.

Faith After 50

But God…

Posted on June 12, 2026June 8, 2026 by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

I have a confession to make.

I’m a very happy single woman.

I’ve been married. I’ve also been divorced for twenty years now, which means I’ve been divorced twice as long as I was married. And honestly? I enjoy my life.

Like many young people, I got married for all the wrong reasons. While that marriage gave me the two greatest blessings of my life – my daughters – it also brought tremendous heartache. The relationship was emotionally and verbally abusive, and eventually it ended in divorce.

The Danger of Ignoring God’s Warnings

I entered that marriage as a Christian and married someone who didn’t have a relationship with God.

Like so many others before me, I thought I could save him. I thought my faith would be enough for both of us. I believed I could somehow make it work.

It doesn’t work that way.

God doesn’t work that way.

There’s a reason Scripture warns us against being unequally yoked.

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14)

But I was young. I was stubborn. And I didn’t want to listen.

Imagine my surprise when, nine years ago, I almost, almost, made the same mistake again.

This time, the man wasn’t simply indifferent toward God. He had an adversarial relationship with Him.

Thankfully, God intervened before history repeated itself.

Running from a Conversation with God

When we started dating, I knew deep down the relationship wasn’t right.

You know those sins we try to hide from God, as if He doesn’t already know? The situations we avoid praying about because we’re afraid of His answer?

That was me.

For months, I didn’t talk to God about the relationship at all. Meanwhile, the relationship became more serious. We started discussing marriage.

What should have been exciting wasn’t.

No one in my life seemed enthusiastic about the relationship. Looking back, I can see why. The warning signs were everywhere.

But I wasn’t paying attention. All I could see was financial security. My mother wouldn’t have to worry about money. I wouldn’t have a mortgage. Life would be easier.

At least, that’s what I told myself.

When Reality Sets In

Then the cracks started showing.

He began telling me what kind of mother I should be. He encouraged my older daughter in choices that directly contradicted my biblical convictions. He routinely brushed aside my younger daughter while prioritizing his own children—children who were carrying significant emotional baggage and unresolved issues.

Suddenly, the future I had imagined didn’t look so appealing.

And then God stepped in.

The Conversation I Couldn’t Avoid

One morning, while I was getting ready for work, I heard God’s voice clearly.

“Are you ever going to talk with Me about this relationship?”

Without hesitation, I answered, “No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I already know Your answer. And it will be no.”

Then God said something I’ll never forget.

“The choice is always yours. But no, this isn’t what I have for you.”

Then He added gently:

“But I still want to talk with you about it. I love you, and I want to hear from you.”

I broke. I knew God already knew everything. He knew my heart. He knew my fears. He knew my motives.

Yet He still wanted me to come to Him.

Not because He needed information.

Because He wanted relationship.

Surrender Changes Everything

That morning I finally prayed.

“God, I’m sorry I’ve tried to hide this from You. If this isn’t from You, please help me make the decision to end it. Prevent the hurt before it happens. I submit my heart to You.”

The moment I prayed, the burden lifted.

I knew exactly what I needed to do.

So I ended the relationship.

The People We Allow to Influence Us Matter

Why share all of this?

Because I know I’m not the only one who has ignored God’s warnings.

And because who we allow into our inner circle matters.

During that relationship, a close friend continually encouraged me toward marriage. Her message wasn’t intentionally harmful, but it wasn’t biblical either.

Her belief was simple: I was incomplete because I was single.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

I’ve always taught my daughters never to expect another human being to complete them. Only God can do that.

No person is responsible for making us whole.

No person is responsible for creating our happiness.

Because eventually, every human being will disappoint us.

If our identity, security, and joy rest on another person, what happens when that person fails?

We already see the consequences all around us. Our culture constantly confuses lust with love and happiness with joy.

But they’re not the same thing.

Joy Is Better Than Happiness

I believe God wants good things for His children.

But more than temporary happiness, He wants to fill us with lasting joy.

“You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

Joy comes from Him.

It isn’t dependent on circumstances, relationships, bank accounts, or marital status.

When our hearts are full of God’s joy, healthy relationships become an overflow rather than a necessity.

That’s a completely different way of living.

Looking Back at God’s Protection

Sometimes I think about what my life would look like if I hadn’t listened.

What would have happened to my daughters?

How would their lives have changed?

Would my precious granddaughter even exist today? The thought alone makes me shudder.

As I look back, I can see things more clearly than I could then. God revealed that this man was making me his idol. At the same time, I would have made saving him mine.

Neither of us would have been pursuing God first.

And if I’m being honest, I likely would have added another divorce to my life’s résumé.

Instead, God protected me. Not because I deserved it. Not because I had done everything right.

But because He loved me enough to interrupt my plans.

But God…

Those two words have changed countless stories throughout Scripture.

Abraham was old, but God.

Joseph was betrayed, but God.

The Israelites were trapped, but God.

Jesus was crucified, but God raised Him from the dead.

And in my own small story, I was headed toward another painful mistake, but God stepped in.

He pursued me when I was avoiding Him. He spoke when I wasn’t listening. He protected me from consequences I couldn’t yet see. And He reminded me that obedience may cost something in the moment, but it always leads to something better.

Maybe you’re facing a decision right now that you’ve been reluctant to bring before God.

Perhaps you already know what He’s saying, and that’s exactly why you’ve avoided the conversation.

Can I encourage you?

Talk to Him anyway.

Not because He doesn’t already know.

But because He loves you and wants to hear from you.

And sometimes the greatest blessings in our lives begin with two simple words:

But God.

Real Talk Devotionals

Whatever It Takes, Lord

Posted on June 9, 2026June 8, 2026 by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

I’ve been a Christian for a long time. But only recently have I made a conscious decision to pursue real change in my relationship with God.

I want more of Him.

I want to know Him more deeply, hear His voice more clearly, and do my part to advance His Kingdom. But beyond that, I want to know what it truly means to live life from the throne—to live as a daughter of the King instead of merely knowing that truth in my head.

I know I’m a citizen of Heaven. I know who God says I am. But if I’m honest, I haven’t always walked in that reality.

And I know I’m not alone.

Many of us want a deeper relationship with God, but we don’t always realize what that requires.

The Cost of Going Deeper

Going deeper with God means surrender.

It means giving up parts of ourselves that have become comfortable, even when those parts don’t align with God’s best for us.

Recently, my prayer has become, “Whatever it takes, Lord.”

God has answered that prayer.

Behaviors and attitudes I’ve carried for years have started rising to the surface. As He strips them away, He exposes places in my heart that need healing, correction, and repentance.

I’ve found myself on my knees more often lately—confessing sin, seeking forgiveness, and asking God to uproot things I’ve allowed to remain for far too long.

It isn’t comfortable.

I knew God would take me up on my “whatever it takes” prayer, but I admit there was an unspoken condition attached to it.

“Whatever it takes, Lord… just don’t make it too painful.”

Then came another honest confession.

“Lord, I’m scared of what this might mean for my life.”

The Loving Discipline of a Good Father

Over and over again, God reminds me that He is a good Father.

And good fathers don’t ignore destructive behaviors in their children. They lovingly correct them.

Sometimes that correction comes through conviction.

Sometimes it comes through pruning.

Sometimes it comes through difficult conversations between me and the Lord about, well… coming to Jesus.

Laying it down.

Pride.

Jealousy—which has been a big one lately.

Disobedience.

Strife.

Gossip.

The list goes on.

Scripture reminds us:

“For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

— Hebrews 12:6 (NLT)

And Jesus said:

“He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”

— John 15:2 (NLT)

Pruning doesn’t feel pleasant while it’s happening. But pruning always serves a purpose.

God never removes something without intending to produce something better in its place.

The Humility of Honest Reflection

I’m laying all of this out here because I know this isn’t just about me.

It may be about you, too.

For a long time, I thought there really wasn’t all that much wrong with me. At least not compared to some people.

If we’re honest, we’ve all entertained that thought at one point or another.

But God showed me something important.

That attitude is pride.

The moment I started comparing my sins to someone else’s, I stopped seeing my need for transformation.

I don’t want to live that way anymore.

I want to be positioned for the Kingdom.

I want to stop obsessing over my flaws while also refusing to acknowledge them.

Yes, my flaws are many.

But God already knows every single one of them.

Nothing surprises Him.

Fully Known and Fully Loved

That’s where the beauty of this journey lives.

God knows me completely.

He knows every weakness, every failure, every hidden motive, and every struggle.

Yet He loves me anyway.

More than that, I believe He has been waiting for me to become honest enough—with myself and with Him—to let Him do this work in my heart.

It hasn’t been easy.

It hasn’t always been fun.

But I can honestly say this:

I’ve never felt more loved by my Heavenly Father than I do right now.

I’ve never felt more seen.

I’ve never felt more cared for.

The conviction has been strong, but His love has been stronger.

As David wrote:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

— Psalm 139:23–24 (NLT)

A Prayer Worth Praying

If you’ve been wondering whether you should pray the same prayer—“Whatever it takes, Lord”—I want to encourage you to do it.

Yes, it may bring conviction.

Yes, it may uncover things you’d rather avoid.

Yes, it may feel uncomfortable for a season.

But momentary discomfort cannot compare to the glory that waits on the other side of surrender.

The glory of serving Him.

The joy of walking in obedience.

The peace that comes from living in His purpose.

The freedom that comes when we stop fighting His work in our lives.

After all, it’s never really been about us.

It’s always been about Jesus.

Prayer

Father,

Thank You for loving me enough to correct me. Thank You for refusing to leave me where I am. Even when conviction feels uncomfortable, help me remember that it comes from Your love.

Search my heart and reveal anything that keeps me from You. Expose pride, jealousy, disobedience, gossip, strife, and every attitude that does not reflect Your character. Give me the courage to surrender those things completely.

Lord, teach me what it means to live as Your daughter. Help me walk confidently in the identity You’ve given me and faithfully fulfill the purpose You’ve placed before me.

When pruning comes, help me trust Your hand. When conviction comes, help me respond with humility. When fear rises up, remind me that Your plans for me are always good.

Whatever it takes, Lord, make me more like Jesus.

In His precious name,

Amen.

If you’ve prayed this prayer, or if you’re struggling and need prayer as you pray it, leave a comment below. I’d love the opportunity to pray for you and encourage you on your journey with God.

Faith After 50

How I Finally Fell in Love with Bible Study

Posted on June 5, 2026June 2, 2026 by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

Recently, I started the A Year in the Bible study from The Daily Grace Co. I had been searching for something in-depth that would guide me through Scripture every day. More than anything, I wanted to go deeper in my faith. I wanted to know God’s heart better, understand His Word more clearly, and grow closer to Him.

My Struggle with Reading the Bible

If I’m being honest, reading the Bible has often felt like a chore.

I love fiction. Give me a good novel, and I’ll happily disappear into its pages for hours. Non-fiction? That’s another story. In fact, if you hand me almost any book and tell me I have to read it, there’s a good chance I’ll resist. I’ve always been a little stubborn that way.

Thankfully, God knows me better than I know myself.

He knows I’m a process-driven person who is constantly searching for the “perfect system.” It probably didn’t surprise Him at all when I spent months looking for the right Bible study program before finally settling on one.

But eventually, I realized something needed to change.

A Prayer God Answered

I began praying a simple prayer:

“Lord, give me a love for Your Word that I’ve never had before. Help me enjoy learning about You.”

God has answered that prayer in ways I never expected.

For the first time in many years, I genuinely look forward to my Bible study time. While colorful pens and pretty highlighters certainly make the process more enjoyable, they can’t compare to the joy that comes from learning more about my Heavenly Father.

God’s Word reminds us:

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” — Psalm 119:105 (NLT)

The more time I spend in Scripture, the more I realize how true that is.

My Top Five Bible Study Tools

If you’re looking to build a consistent Bible study habit, these are the tools that have helped me the most.

1. A Bible You Can Actually Study

Two years ago, my sister gave me a Life Application Study Bible in the New Living Translation, and it completely changed my Bible-reading experience.

I know some Christians strongly prefer the King James Version or New King James Version. That’s perfectly fine. But for me, understanding what I’m reading matters most.

I needed a translation written in language I could easily understand so I could focus on learning rather than decoding.

The Life Application Study Bible includes character profiles, historical context, practical application notes, and study helps throughout the text. Those features have helped me understand both the well-known and lesser-known people in Scripture.

As Proverbs 4:7 reminds us:

“Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.” (NLT)

A Bible you understand is one of the best tools for gaining that wisdom.

2. Highlighters

Different colors make learning more enjoyable.

Maybe that sounds simple, but when I enjoy a learning process, I remember it better.

You can assign colors to themes, promises, commands, prayers, or specific people. There isn’t a right or wrong way to do it.

Bible study should be engaging. I truly believe that.

3. Pens (And Lots of Them)

You’re going to want to take notes.

That’s why I recommend getting a Bible you feel comfortable writing in. If you’re trying to preserve Grandma’s beautiful Bible in pristine condition, set it safely on the shelf and buy one you can underline, circle, and fill with notes.

Then grab some colorful pens.

You can color-code your observations if you’d like, but mostly you’ll want room to capture what God is teaching you as you read.

4. A Ruler

This one might sound strange, but hear me out.

I love marking up my Bible. I do not love crooked lines.

A simple six-inch ruler helps me underline passages neatly and organize notes in the margins. It may not be essential for everyone, but for fellow detail-oriented Bible students, it’s a small tool that makes a big difference.

5. Notebooks

Actually, get more than one.

The more God reveals through His Word, the more you’ll want to write down. I’ve already filled pages with observations, questions, prayers, and lessons I don’t want to forget.

Habakkuk 2:2 says:

“Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.” (NLT)

There is something powerful about writing down what God is teaching you.

Finding a Bible Study Plan That Works

Along with these tools, I recommend finding a Bible study plan that fits your personality and learning style.

Some people thrive without a structured plan. Others, like me, need accountability and a clear roadmap.

I happened to catch a great sale from The Daily Grace Co. and purchased their entire spiral-bound A Year in the Bible series. Having a daily guide helps me stay consistent and focused.

The key isn’t finding the perfect program.

The key is finding one you’ll actually use.

Don’t Forget Prayer

Of all the tools I’ve mentioned, prayer is the most important.

I begin every Bible study session with prayer, and I end every session the same way.

Before I open my Bible, I ask God to reveal Himself to me. I ask Him to teach me, guide me, and help me understand what He wants me to learn.

James 1:5 gives us this promise:

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.” (NLT)

That’s exactly what I’ve been doing.

And even though I’m only a few weeks into this study, I already feel like I know God in a deeper and more personal way.

I’d Love to Hear From You

What Bible study are you currently doing?

Do you have favorite Bible study tools or accessories that help you stay engaged and consistent?

Share them in the comments. I’m always looking for new ideas, and I’d love to hear what works for you.

Cozy Christian Living

10 Tiny Ways to Make Your Home Feel Peaceful Again

Posted on June 2, 2026June 16, 2026 by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

Peace feels rare these days.

Everywhere I look, something fights for my attention. Phones buzz constantly. Social media feeds overflow with outrage and comparison. News headlines make the world feel heavier than it already is. Even home, the place that should feel safest, can sometimes feel loud and emotionally exhausting.

For a long time, I thought peace would come later.

Maybe after the next job.
The next house.
The next answered prayer.
The next season of life.

I kept waiting for everything around me to settle down so I could finally breathe deeply and rest. But over the last few years, God has slowly shown me something important: peace does not come from perfect circumstances. It comes from staying close to Him in the middle of imperfect ones.

That realization changed the way I live, the way I manage my home, and even the way I spend my time.

“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)

I do not have this figured out perfectly. Honestly, I am still learning. However, these are some of the things that have genuinely helped me create a quieter, more peaceful life and home.

Make Your Home About Jesus

The biggest shift in my home happened when I stopped trying to create “peaceful aesthetics” and started focusing on creating a home centered on Jesus.

A peaceful home does not have to look Pinterest-perfect.

Some days my kitchen is messy. Laundry piles up. Life feels busy and chaotic. Yet I have noticed that when I intentionally invite God into my daily life, the atmosphere in my home changes anyway.

Sometimes that looks like worship music playing softly while I crochet. Sometimes it means opening my Bible before opening social media. Sometimes it is simply whispering a prayer while walking the dog.

Small things matter.

“Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted.” — Psalm 127:1 (NLT)

I cannot create real peace on my own. I have tried. It never lasts for long.

Put Limits on Social Media

This one has been hard for me because social media can feel relaxing at first. I sit down for “just a few minutes,” and suddenly an hour disappears.

Then I notice how unsettled I feel afterward.

Comparison steals peace quickly. So does constant negativity. Social media often makes the world feel angry, loud, and hopeless. It also makes it very easy to compare our everyday lives to someone else’s carefully edited highlight reel.

I do not think social media itself is evil, but I do think we need boundaries with it.

Lately, I have tried putting my phone down earlier at night and spending less time scrolling first thing in the morning. Honestly, my mind feels calmer when I do.

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” — Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

What we constantly feed our minds eventually shapes our hearts.

Get Outside and Enjoy Life Again

One of the simplest things that helps my mental and emotional peace is stepping outside without my phone.

Not to take pictures.
Not to check notifications.
Just to exist for a little while.

Taking a walk, sitting in the sunshine, smelling flowers, listening to birds, or watching the wind move through trees sounds almost too simple to matter, but it really does help.

Nature slows me down in a way nothing else does.

It reminds me that God created a beautiful world even when life feels heavy and noisy.

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.” — Psalm 19:1 (NLT)

Sometimes peace looks like sitting quietly outside with a cup of coffee and letting yourself breathe.

Reduce the Clutter

I know decluttering has almost become a trend at this point, but clutter genuinely affects my peace.

When my home feels overcrowded, my mind feels overcrowded too.

I started asking myself a simple question: Why am I holding onto things I do not use, need, or even enjoy anymore?

Now my rule is fairly simple. If I have not touched it in six months and it is not seasonal or sentimental, I probably do not need it.

Getting rid of excess stuff creates breathing room.

Less visual noise helps my mind feel quieter.

Spend Time in the Word

Nothing settles my heart faster than spending quiet time with God.

Not perfectly.
Not for hours.
Not with some elaborate Bible study setup.

Just quietly reading Scripture and spending time with Him.

The more I learn about the heart of God, the more peace I experience. Scripture reminds me that God remains faithful even when life feels uncertain.

I think we sometimes overcomplicate our relationship with God. We think we need perfect routines or deep theological knowledge before we can sit with Him.

We do not.

Open your Bible.
Read slowly.
Pray honestly.
Be quiet long enough to listen.

That simple consistency changes everything.

“Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.” — Psalm 119:165 (NLT)

Think Before You Speak

I tend to replay conversations in my mind afterward, especially when I speak too quickly or emotionally.

The older I get, the more I realize how much peace comes from slowing down before responding.

Not every opinion needs to be shared immediately.
Not every disagreement needs to become an argument.
Not every silence needs to be filled.

Sometimes I walk away from conversations feeling unsettled because I spoke from frustration instead of wisdom.

Other times, I leave feeling peaceful because I paused first.

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” — James 1:19 (NLT)

I still fail at this sometimes, but intentional words create far more peace than impulsive ones ever will.

Engage in Creativity

Creativity has become one of my favorite forms of rest.

I crochet. I embroider. Occasionally, I color.

These hobbies slow my thoughts down because they require patience and focus. I cannot rush through them. I have to sit still long enough to create something carefully.

I think that is part of why creative hobbies feel peaceful. They force us to slow down in a world that constantly pushes us to hurry.

There is something deeply calming about working with your hands and creating something beautiful slowly.

Live a More Analog Life

This remains a work in progress for me.

Over the last year or so, I have started intentionally disconnecting more often. I bought a watch instead of constantly checking my phone for the time. I use an actual alarm clock now too.

Small changes like that help more than I expected.

Technology can absolutely be helpful, but too much of it pulls my attention in a hundred directions at once. Constant notifications make it hard to feel settled.

Living a little more simply has helped me become more present.

“Be still, and know that I am God!” — Psalm 46:10 (NLT)

Stillness feels uncomfortable at first when we are used to constant noise, but eventually it becomes healing.

Slow Down

This may be the hardest lesson God continues teaching me.

I naturally rush through life. I keep looking ahead toward the next thing, thinking happiness and peace will finally arrive when I get there.

However, peace rarely exists in the future.

It exists here.
Right now.
In ordinary moments.

Lately, I have tried slowing down enough to actually enjoy my life while I am living it instead of constantly waiting for a different season.

Sometimes that means sitting quietly with coffee in the morning.
Sometimes it means watching the sunset.
Sometimes it means simply breathing deeply and thanking God for another day.

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” — Matthew 6:34 (NLT)

Enjoy the Little Things

The older I get, the more I realize peace often lives in very small moments.

A warm cup of coffee.
A soft blanket during Bible reading.
A candle flickering nearby while reading a good book.
Tea before bed.
Rain tapping against the windows.

Simple things.
Quiet things.
Comforting things.

Those moments help me slow down and settle my heart.

Final Thoughts

I still have stressful days. I still overthink sometimes. I still get distracted, overwhelmed, and emotionally tired like everyone else.

However, I have learned that peace is less about creating a perfect life and more about creating intentional rhythms that bring me back to Jesus again and again.

The world constantly pushes us to hurry, consume more, achieve more, and chase more. Meanwhile, Jesus quietly invites us to slow down and rest in Him.

And honestly, I think that is the kind of peace most of us are truly searching for.

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” — Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)