June 2026 - Page 2 of 2 -

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.

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.