How Do I Find Peace When Life Is Hard?

Storms can be loud — but Jesus is right there in the boat with you

Let's imagine a make-believe story. Maya is seven. One night, a big storm comes. BOOM! goes the thunder. Flash! goes the lightning. The rain hits the window — tap, tap, TAP! Maya pulls her blanket up to her nose. Her heart goes fast. "Daddy!" she calls. Daddy comes and sits on her bed. He does not say, "Don't be silly." He holds her hand and says, "Storms are scary. Can I tell you about a storm in the Bible?" Maya nods. The thunder is still rumbling outside. But inside, her heart starts to feel a little calmer. Maya is not a real girl. She is a picture of many kids. But the story Daddy tells is true!

Long ago, Jesus and His friends got into a boat. It was evening. Jesus was very tired, so He lay down and fell asleep. Then a great storm came! The wind blew hard. Big waves splashed into the boat. The boat began to fill with water. Jesus' friends were very, very scared.

Did you notice? Jesus' friends were grown-ups, and they were scared too! It is okay to feel afraid. Being scared does not mean you are bad, and it does not mean God stops loving you. Jesus' friends did the best thing: they went to Jesus. And what did Jesus do?

Wow! Jesus spoke, and the wind stopped. His friends said to each other, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (Mark 4:41). Jesus is God's Son. No storm is bigger than Jesus!

But here is something very important. Even before the wind stopped, Jesus was already in the boat. He was with His friends the whole time. Sometimes God makes a storm stop quickly. Sometimes the storm keeps going for a while — like a sick grandma, a friend who moves away, or a family that is sad. But Jesus does not leave. That is what real peace is: not "no storms," but Jesus with you in the storm.

Jesus told His friends the truth. Hard things will happen in this world. But He gave them good news too:

So what can YOU do when you feel scared, worried or sad? You can talk to God about it — everything! Big things and little things. The Bible says:

"Be careful for nothing" is an old way to say "Don't worry about anything — tell God!" And here is another happy verse: God cares about you.

Ellen G. White wrote a book called Steps to Christ. In the chapter "The Privilege of Prayer" (p. 100), she said: "Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God." That means you can tell God what you need, what makes you happy, what makes you sad, and what makes you scared. He always wants to listen!

King David knew about scary times too. He was a shepherd boy who took care of sheep. He wrote a song that says God is like a good shepherd who stays close:

And David wrote a bedtime verse you can say when it is dark:

Here are some "peace tools" for hard days:

• Talk to Jesus. Say, "Jesus, I'm scared. Please be with me." Short prayers are perfect!
• Breathe slowly. Breathe in… "The LORD is my shepherd." Breathe out… "I shall not want."
• Think about Jesus. The Bible says God keeps "in perfect peace" the one whose mind "is stayed on thee" (Isaiah 26:3).
• Sing a song about Jesus. Singing helps your heart remember He is near.
• Tell a grown-up. God gives us parents, teachers and church friends to help us. Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

Back in Maya's room, the thunder was still grumbling. But Maya and Daddy prayed together. She whispered, "Peace, be still." Then she said her bedtime verse. The storm did not stop right away. But Maya was not alone, and she knew it. Soon her eyes got heavy, and she fell asleep.

Storms may come, but Jesus is in my boat — and His peace is with me!

Kids: if you feel scared, worried or sad a lot, or for a long time, please tell a parent, teacher or trusted adult. That is a brave thing to do! Grown-ups: this is spiritual encouragement, not medical advice — consult a qualified professional; in an emergency call 911. If your child (or you) feels hopeless or overwhelmed, please talk to a pastor and a qualified professional; in the US you can also call or text 988.

Want to learn more? Ask a grown-up to explore the free Bible studies "Prayer That Changes Everything" and "Who Is Jesus, Really?" with you. Visit Your questions, the Bible's answer — and ask your own. Your family can also try our free "New Believer" 30-day reading plan, and visit our FAQ and our Faith Journey page.

Take-home sheet

• It is okay to feel scared. Even Jesus' friends were scared in the storm.
• No storm is bigger than Jesus. Even the wind and the sea obey Him.
• Real peace is not "no storms." Real peace is Jesus with me in the storm.
• I can tell God everything — big things and little things — because He cares for me.
• My peace tools: pray, breathe slowly with a verse, think about Jesus, sing, and tell a grown-up.

Fun activity: With a grown-up, fold a paper boat. On the boat, write "Peace, be still" (Mark 4:39). Draw Jesus in the boat with you! Then make a "worry jar" with your family: on little papers, draw or write things that make you scared or sad. Pray about each one together and put it in the jar, to remember: "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (1 Peter 5:7).

Think about it: What is one thing that makes you scared or sad? What would you like to tell Jesus about it today?

For parents & teachers

• Make clear that Maya is make-believe, but the story of Jesus calming the storm is real — open the Bible and read Mark 4:35-41 together.
• Never shame fear. Jesus' friends were afraid, and Jesus helped them (Mark 4:38-39). Say, "It's okay to feel scared — let's talk to Jesus together."
• Don't promise that every hard thing will go away. Teach that peace is Jesus' presence in the storm (John 16:33; Psalm 23:4).
• Simple activity: act out the story with a blanket "sea" — wave it hard for the storm, then everyone says "Peace, be still!" and the blanket goes flat. Then pray a one-line prayer each.
• Practice "breath prayers": breathe in on "The LORD is my shepherd," out on "I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1).
• If a child's fear, worry or sadness is strong, lasts a long time, or affects sleep, eating, school or play, listen gently and talk with your pediatrician or a qualified counselor.
• This is spiritual encouragement, not medical advice — consult a qualified professional; in an emergency call 911. If you or your child feels hopeless or overwhelmed, please talk to a pastor and a qualified professional; in the US you can also call or text 988.
• End with a short prayer: "Jesus, thank You for being in my boat. Please give me Your peace."

10 Myths vs Facts

Sources

• Bible verses: Mark 4:38; Mark 4:39; John 14:27; John 16:33; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 23:1, 4; Psalm 4:8; Romans 15:13; Mark 4:35-41, Mark 4:41, Isaiah 26:3, Matthew 11:28 and Psalm 46:1 (referenced) — King James Version (public domain).
• Seventh-day Adventist beliefs: https://adventist.org/beliefs · https://gc.adventist.org/
• Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, chapter "The Privilege of Prayer," p. 100 (public domain): https://whiteestate.org/ · https://m.egwwritings.org/

© 2026 Ministère du Pasteur Clément Salomon. All rights reserved. Provided free for personal and ministry use — please share it unaltered and with credit; commercial use or resale is not permitted. Scripture is quoted from public-domain translations; Ellen G. White writings are in the public domain.