When things are going well, it is easy to have peace in mind. But feelings of peace are fragile. Any problem that comes along can destroy them. You need to find a peace that will hold you steady, that will stay right side up when your world is turned upside down. You need a deep inner peace that isn’t based on circumstances. Here is how to have a lasting peace:

God wants to be involved in your life, in your decisions. It’s easy to think that God doesn’t want to deal with you; that he is angry or disappointed in you. But what you need to realize is that God loves you. This means that he accepts you the way you are. He won’t reject you just because you have not obeyed him.

If you want peace, real peace—a peace that won’t go away—talk to God. When you talk to him, telling him all you’ve done and asking him to forgive you, he will! And he will give you his peace. You can give him your confusion, your fear, your feelings of isolation and loneliness. In exchange, he will give you a peace that lasts forever—no matter what.

No matter what you’ve done or who you are, God knows everything about you, and he still loves you. He understands. He made you in the first place. Nothing you do can surprise or shock him. Nothing you do can stop him from loving you.

You do not have to be perfect to find God. You do not have to say just the right words in just the right way. You don’t have to clean up your act first or be a certain kind of person. God only wants to love you. He wants you to understand that he accepts you and loves you deeply. Ask him to help you, and if you can’t, ask him to help you pray.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through him.  John 3:16-17

No one likes to admit to making mistakes. But we all make mistakes. The first step to changing your life to what you want it to be is to admit you are not perfect. That doesn’t mean you are bad or stupid; it just means you are normal. Don’t be afraid to admit to yourself and to God that you’ve done things you regret, that you’ve made mistakes.

God wants his relationship with you restored. Honesty is the only way this can happen. Don’t let denial keep you from the freedom and peace that is available to you.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”
—and you forgave the guilt of my sin.  Psalm 32:5

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Romans 3:23

You need other people to listen, to understand, to support you, and to help you. It’s foolish to try to deal with your life without the help of others.

You will be surprised how much it helps to talk to somebody. If you haven’t already, you can start now by finding one person you can tell your story to. Talk to someone you trust, someone you respect. Consider a friend, a family member, a teacher, a minister—anyone you trust. Then find a second person. Try to find at least five people you can talk to. It will make a difference.

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,
but let us encourage one another.  Hebrews 10:25

If you want peace of mind, there is no substitute for doing what’s right. Obeying God will bring a peace that can withstand almost any problem. You can’t expect peace if you continually choose what’s wrong. But doing what’s right is not necessarily easy. Sometimes you don’t know what is right; your situation may be complex; perhaps it involves options you’ve never had to think about before. At other times you know what is right but just don’t want to do it. In either case, reading the Bible will help you. It can help you know what to do and find the strength to do it.

Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9

There will be troubles and distress for every human being who does evil...
but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good.  Romans 2:9-10

God wants you to have peace. He will give it to you if you trust in him. This means to believe that his way is best and to surrender your life to him. Trusting in Jesus in this way is the only way to discover lasting peace and to begin a personal relationship with God.

[Jesus said:] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

[Jesus said:] “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 14:27

[Jesus said:] “Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God; trust also in me.”  John 14:1