# Stop overthinking and find real peace

> Lysa TerKeurst shares how surrendering control can lead to deeper peace and less anxiety.
- Title: Stop overthinking and find real peace · Woman's World
- Summary: Lysa TerKeurst shares how surrendering control can lead to deeper peace and less anxiety. Focus only on today's doable responsibilities and surrender what…
- Keywords: lysa terkeurst, making peace with what i can't control, proverbs 31 ministries, therapy & theology, overthinking, anxiety, control, faith, christian living, divorce, prayer, peace
- Source: Woman's World — https://womansworld.com/entertainment/books/stop-overthinking-lysa-terkeurst-shares-how-to-find-real-peace
- Author: Maggie Cady
- Published: 2026-09-16T22:05:28+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: lysa terkeurst, making peace with what i can't control, proverbs 31 ministries, therapy & theology, overthinking, anxiety, control, faith, christian living, divorce, prayer, peace
## Control only works temporarily
Trying to control everything gives temporary behavior modification, but never lasting peaceful results.

> Control never leads us to a permanent place of peace because we can't ultimately make someone else do what their heart's motivation is not.
## Manage what you can
Do everything within your ability to control, then turn the rest over and trust God with the outcome.

> I don't have to like it. I don't have to understand it. I don't have to agree with it. But I cannot control the outcome.
## We crave knowing why
Our brains are wired for the confidence of knowing. We think understanding why prevents future pain.

> Because we think if we know why, then we won't make that mistake again, and we'll prevent other bad things from happening.
## We aren't meant to understand everything
Maybe we aren't supposed to understand every painful thing that happens to us.
## Suffering catalyzes growth
Suffering is often the greatest catalyst to maturity, obedience and trusting God more deeply.

> Suffering is often the greatest catalyst to growth and helping us become more obedient to the Lord and helping us trust Him more.
## Don't bypass the pain
Give yourself grace and recognize suffering as preparation, but never ignore the real hardship and heartbreak.

> Never do the spiritual bypass of not acknowledging the hardship and heartbreak of what was real about the suffering too.
## God's motivation is different
God isn't selfish. He's gracious, good and kind, with a plan pointed toward good even when it doesn't feel good now.
## Bring disappointment to God
Ask God to help you grow from unanswered prayers and see purpose in the pain.
## Pain wasn't pointless
Lysa's unwanted divorce was excruciatingly painful, but it pointed her to an eventual purpose that's deeply fulfilling now.

> I'm so grateful that the pain was not pointless and that God really does not waste the hurts that we walk through.
## Ask one simple question
Is there anything that could be done today that I have not done? If yes, do it. Then let the big problem go.
## Control creates chaos
We think control leads to peace, but it only leads to eventual chaos. Stop solving tomorrow's problems today.

> We think that we control to get to peace, but our control only leads to eventual chaos.
## Accept what you can't change
The pathway to peace is accepting reality, doing what you can, and recognizing what's beyond your ability.
## Stay connected to peace
Jesus said we'll have trouble in this world, but He's overcome it. Stay connected to the Prince of Peace.

> In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart. I have overcome the world.
## Key takeaway

Focus only on today's doable responsibilities and surrender what you can't control to find lasting peace.