Achieving a state of tranquillity can be hard to come by, can’t it? It’s easily lost when we get distracted by other people, our emotions overwhelm us, or we have an unwelcome change in our circumstances.
We might think it’s reserved for a privileged few with better health, a more salubrious environment to live in, and less demands on their lives and time than we have. But what if it isn’t?
What if we don’t have to enter a monastery, visit a spa or leave the comforts of home to achieve soul tranquillity?
How might it look to reduce our daily stress and enter a state of rest? Life can seem too busy to rest or relax much, never mind feel tranquil and calm. Yet it’s possible for us right now.
Here’s the key: It actually settles within our souls when we look to God to bring His peaceful presence into our difficulties, disorders and damaged feelings. It’s a holy gift of grace discovered in life’s hard places as we seek solace.
“He calms the storm and stills the waves.” ― Psalm 107:29 TLB
We might sit with struggles, distress, overwhelm or sadness but God always finds a way to come near to us. He won’t leave us bereft.
You and I can lose sight of God’s presence or fail to sense Him acting on our behalf, but it doesn’t mean He isn’t there or He won’t take good care of us.
A blanket of holy love drapes softly around our drooping shoulders. Strong arms reach out to lift each pressing pebbled care, sharp anxiety stone, and weighty worry boulder, one by one.
As we realise what keeps us captive or discourages our hearts, and willingly release those things to God, the burdens fall at our feet. We are set free to rise above our circumstances.
We are free to yield our pain and to trust again. There’s a transcendence of perfect peace from above, full of supernatural calm only God can give to us.
It’s a peace beyond anything earth can offer our hurting souls because it meets us within the pain itself.
Tests, trials and troubles will inevitably return because we live in a fallen world. But we are always given the resources to cope with them.
We are never left without God’s help, support, concern and protective care. All we need to do is ask. Holy tranquillity is available to us any time, anywhere.
As we meditate on God’s word, and humbly seek to live it out, we experience soul tranquillity more and more.
When we acknowledge our problems, and turn to God for help, we’re admitting we cannot get through life’s challenges, pressing pain and problems without the support He alone provides.
God wants us to live in peace, to experience His rest. As we learn to yield our hurts, broken lives, damaged feelings and pain, He shows us how to live with tranquillity and peace.
He comes alongside us, teaches us, and gives us the means to not allow our circumstances to derail or disturb us. Because when God alone is our major support and help, then our hearts can rest and be tranquil. Isn’t that a relief? 🙂 ❤
“Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you, all things are passing, God is unchanging. Patience gains all; nothing is lacking to those who have God: God alone is sufficient.” ― St. Teresa of Avila
Words of Joy 
Dear Joy,
Oh, I love this today: “What if we don’t have to enter a monastery, visit a spa or leave the comforts of home to achieve soul tranquillity?” We so often feel like the pain or the weakness needs to go away before we can have peace. But Jesus stills the storm inside of us, right where we are. Thank you for these uplifting words that you have shared with us. I especially love the quote from St. Teresa of Avila too. It is one that bears repeating. May I learn to look for HIM in the middle of the storm, and receive the gift of solace that He has. And this reminds me so much of your first book, Seeking Solace. Your thoughts bring such blessing to us. May you be blessed in return dear sister! Love and hugs! xoxo
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Dear Bettie, you’re right, we do tend to think that peace means the absence of weakness and pain. It’s as if we equate it with physical wellness and harmonious circumstances. The unexpected joy is to discover how Jesus quells the storm inside of us, not always the external one, so we can experience peace from His presence alone. Saint Teresa of Avila was remarkably wise and her words echo still as they find a home in us today. I’ve got a lovely little book of her readings (Living Water) I’m dipping into now and then because each entry requires much rereading to get the message home! I echo your longing to “learn to look for Jesus (HIM) in the middle of the storm” as that’s where calm can be found. Thank you for your lovely, thoughtful response. Blessings, love and hugs to you, dear sister and friend! xoxo 💜
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Thanks Joy, needed to hear this today. Had a houseful of family at the weekend, calm and peace flew out the window as I absorbed their stress, angst and sibling banter. Feel the pieces slowly falling back into place. Can you recommend anything to read around ‘holy tranquility ‘?
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Jill, I sympathise with you. Having a houseful of family isn’t usually a good recipe for calm and peace, especially if they are stressed, irritated or upset themselves. Hopefully you can relax better now. I do have a few book suggestions to aid you in your pursuit of holy tranquillity. As I’d also like to share why I’m thinking of recommending them and how they help me, please could you contact me using the contact form on my contact page here so I can give you a fuller response? Thanks! I look forward to hearing from you soon. Meanwhile, do try to find a few small pockets of time in your day in which to breathe slowly and deeply, and exhale your cares into God’s capable hands. That always helps restore a degree of equilibrium for me when I get overwhelmed or tense. Blessings of rest and peace to you, my friend. xo 💜
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Thank you for this encouraging reminder, Joy! Also for reminding me of Kari Jobe’s song. We are never alone! Such comfort in that. We certainly cannot get through this journey of life without His support. And this – “As we learn to yield our hurts, broken lives, damaged feelings and pain, He shows us how to live with tranquillity and peace.” Oh, so true. I am a work in progress of surrendering all to Him. I’m so grateful for His never-ending patience with me. Love and blessings to you!
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Trudy, you are not alone. I’m also “a work in progress of surrendering all” to God. I struggle to feel calm or peaceful sometimes, even if I know deep down that the best way we have of regaining inner rest, calm and peace is through our faith in Christ. And it’s all too easy to lose soul tranquillity if we don’t stay vigilant or neglect to ask for God’s help. Praise God for never giving up on us! Blessings and love to you too! xo 💜
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