Peace doesn’t usually arrive on its own. It’s something we have to seek, it’s something we choose. In fact, many of the outcomes we experience—especially related to stress—are the result of a long series of small, seemingly ordinary choices. If we want more peace in our lives, we must begin to choose it.

This doesn’t mean we can control everything. Life brings unexpected events, heavy burdens, and circumstances far outside of our influence. But even when we can’t choose what happens, we can choose how we respond. That’s where our power lies.

And every choice we make either brings us closer to peace… or takes us further away from it.

Think about your average day. What do you choose to focus on?
What do you allow into your thoughts, your conversations, your media intake?
What kind of environments do you place yourself in?
What relationships are you nurturing?
What habits are you repeating?

These are not just lifestyle details—they are all decisions that affect your state of mind and your access to peace.

Making peace-supporting choices doesn’t always mean doing what’s easy or convenient. Sometimes, it means walking away from a conversation that’s turning toxic. Sometimes it means saying no to one more obligation when you know your energy is already stretched thin. It could mean turning off the noise, setting your phone aside, and stepping outside for a breath of fresh air. Or choosing a nourishing meal when stress tempts you to indulge in something that leaves you feeling worse.

Small, mindful choices add up. And when you make them consistently, they build a kind of internal strength—a resilience—that helps you stay steady even when life gets noisy.

Spiritually speaking, choosing peace also means choosing to listen to the promptings that come from God. Those gentle nudges often point us toward stillness, humility, and trust. Sometimes they urge us to take action. Other times, to wait. But that divine guidance is always available, speaking to our spiritual identity and reminding us who we truly are.

Even if someone doesn’t yet know God personally, the principle still holds. We all have a sense—however we describe it—that we’re more than our impulses. We’re more than our circumstances. We have the power to step back, breathe, and choose something better.

Here’s something simple to try:
Before reacting in a stressful moment, ask yourself:
“Will this choice support my peace?”

If the answer is no, even slightly—pause. Rethink. Redirect. Not out of fear, but out of care for yourself and the life you’re building.

Choosing peace doesn’t mean avoiding hard things. It means facing them with courage and clarity. It means choosing what’s honest, what’s kind, what’s right—even when that path is less traveled.

And yes, we all make mistakes. None of us choose perfectly all the time. But every moment is a new opportunity to realign, to start again. Peace is never out of reach—it’s always just one mindful choice away.

So far, we’ve talked about pausing, evaluating, appreciating, and now choosing. These steps, while simple, carry depth and power when practiced intentionally. I hope they’re starting to create a more peaceful rhythm in your life.

Until next time, may your choices reflect the life you want to live, and may that life be full of happiness and peace. I’m wishing you strength and resilience in your continued journey to find it.

Jonathan Hale ~ Your Peace Coach