Finding peace at home when the world feels heavy

Before I begin, I need to acknowledge something important. The assassination of Charlie Kirk has shaken me deeply, for reasons that actually extend beyond Charlie himself, and I know that if you take my saying so only at face-value, not all of you share my sentiment. That’s ok, we teach grace and acceptance here - despite the blog, and my books being rooted in my own faith.

Among my readers are women with many different political beliefs, and I respect that, but no matter where we stand politically and religiously, I think we can all agree that witnessing the public execution of a fellow human being, shared uncensored for the whole world to see was horrifying. It is an image that has left many of us unsettled, grieving, and searching for peace.

Perhaps part of the heaviness is that this isn’t the first time we’ve lived through collective trauma, and the fallout from it. Those of us of a certain age have already witnessed 9/11, endured the long years of Covid with all its isolation, division, and uncertainty, and now we are seeing more political violence, racially motivated killings, and new wars unfold before our eyes than ever before. News of many of these events reach the evening news, and some do not. It is tragic to hear about it, and it is tragic, in its own way, not to.

This is not the world we were promising ourselves we were building, not what we voted for, not the progress we thought humanity was making. Instead of peace and unity, it feels as though violence and division have only increased.

What has made Charlie’s death even more difficult is that our children have seen it too - the images circulated freely, without restraint. That their young eyes were able to witness what should never be seen, regardless of age, is heartbreaking. And then, to see some people respond with glee, openly celebrating his death on social media, has been abhorrent. It reveals how hardened hearts can become, and how deeply our world needs Christ.

The healing power of homemaking

In times like this, I find myself retreating into the quiet, ordinary rhythm of homemaking, not as an escape, but as a way of keeping my heart steady. Simple tasks can become a good way of grounding oneself when the world feels like it is spinning out of control.
When you fold laundry, remember that life goes on in the small and faithful things. Each shirt and towel is a reminder that God still provides for our daily needs, no matter the chaos outside.

When you cook meals for your family, think of service, the kind that isn’t loud or public but deeply rooted in love. We don’t all need to be on a world stage, your little home is your stage, and your audience, so full of love for you, are captivated by every daily wholesome scene you set for them. It feels especially important to come together to eat and share what’s on our hearts, especially in a time when so much anger and division are boiling over. Keep choosing love in the quiet places. Invite friends in too. Break bread.Even the dusting and sweeping can become symbols of renewal. Just as the house never stays perfectly clean, neither will this world ever be perfectly whole - but we are reminded that God’s grace is a daily gift. His mercies are new every morning, even when the headlines tell another story.

Homemaking is not just about keeping a tidy house. It is a spiritual practice that shapes, softens, and anchors us in the truth that while kingdoms rise and fall, while leaders live and die, the Lord remains the same. The Darling Academy

Still, we are whole beings, body and soul, and our nervous systems carry the shock of what we’ve witnessed. Here are a few gentle, practical things that can help you re-set and find peace in heavy times.

Breathe slowly and deeply
A few minutes of slow, intentional breathing (inhale through the nose, exhale longer through the mouth) can calm the “fight or flight” response. Whisper, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) as you breathe.

Limit news intake
It’s wise to stay informed, but endless scrolling only keeps the nervous system in alarm. Check in briefly, then return to the work of your hands. Look at the blessings around you in your physical life, screens can rob so much of those small joys of contentment from us.

Ground yourself in the senses
Notice five things you see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste. This practice draws your mind back into the safety of the present moment.

Take time for moments of peace

Return to creation
Step into the garden, sit in the sun, or tend a plant. Nature whispers that God is still sovereign, no matter the chaos.

Gentle movement
Stretching, sweeping, a quiet walk outdoors, or kneading bread helps release tension. Sometimes homemaking itself becomes the very therapy our bodies need.

Anchor in prayer
Write down your worries and hand them to God. Fold the note into your Bible as a symbol of surrender. Leave them at the feet of Jesus who has already overcome what we are living through.

Connect with those you love
Call a family member on the phone for an “old school” chat. Write a letter to a friend just telling them how much they mean to you. Approach your husband and give him a hug. Hold your children, and don’t let go too soon. Everything that we think is important can wait.

Write to loved ones

Create small rituals of peace
Light a candle in the evening, play soft hymns while cooking, or brew a calming cup of tea. Little acts of calm tell your body, you are safe.

Without first making ourselves feel safe, we cannot effectively make our children feel safe.

Even when the world feels frightening and divided, these small practices remind us of God’s nearness. We may not be able to change the headlines, but we can change the atmosphere of our homes and our hearts.

And so we keep going. We keep baking, folding, tending, and praying. Because in the unseen work of home, God is reminding us of His unchanging love, and that even in times of sorrow and division, faithfulness in the little things, and the family, still matters.

Remember who is in control

A prayer for peace in troubled times

Lord,

Our hearts are heavy with the pain of what we have seen and the sorrow of what this world has become. We grieve the violence, the division, and the cruelty that so often surround us. Yet we thank You that You remain unchanging. Our refuge, our strength, and our peace.

Protect our children’s hearts and guard their eyes from evil. Heal the wounds in our nations and soften the hardened places in our own souls. Help us to find rest in You when the world feels restless, and to bring peace into our homes through the work of our hands.

May our daily tasks become prayers, our homemaking a ministry, and our love a light in the darkness. Anchor us in Your presence, Lord, until the day when all sorrow and death are no more.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Let us also hold Erika Kirk in our hearts and prayers. She is a wife and mother who has lost her husband in a way no one should ever endure. Whatever our differences in faith or politics, we can grieve with her, lift her up to the Lord, and surround her with love and compassion in this unimaginable time.

Love to you all,