Gen Z is experiencing more anxiety than any other generation, so much so that Jonathan Haidt dubbed them “The Anxious Generation” in a book of the same name.

Nearly 40% of Gen Zers report “always feeling uncertain about the future, anxious about important decisions and afraid to fail,” compared to the 25% of all U.S. adults surveyed by Barna. In addition, 35% of Gen Zers say they always feel overwhelmed with their responsibilities and 28% report always feeling lonely.

In an age riddled with uncertainty, our young adults are struggling to find peace. They are constantly bombarded with everything from alarming news headlines to images of perfect social media influencers — not to mention just trying to juggle their own relationships and school and work schedules.

As Christians, we have a unique opportunity to help our young adults find the peace they so desperately need in the midst of all the chaos around them. But how can we do that?

Here are three ways we can help our young adults find peace in Christ.

1. Point them to the Source of peace.

I know one student who was experiencing extreme anxiety during her college years. She had to fight every day to remind herself that Christ was in control and would take care of her no matter what, so she held onto the truth of God’s Word.

Matthew 6:25–26 reads, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air: they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

This student decided she wanted a tangible reminder that God would take care of her just like He did the birds and flowers in Matthew 6. So, she got a tattoo of two sparrows sitting on a branch of flowers on her forearm. She told me that when she’d see that tattoo, she’d often pause and speak the verse over herself, then ask God to be with her and give her peace.

Gen Zers need to know Christ is their true source of peace. That no matter what they’re feeling or experiencing in their lives (or what’s going on in the world), Christ is there with them and will never leave or forsake them (Matthew 28:20, Deuteronomy 31:8).

Walk your Gen Zers through verses that can help remind them of those truths, like in Matthew 6. And while your young adults may not get tattoos as reminders, encourage them to write those verses on their mirrors, on the front of their school binders, or even to speak or sing them while driving or out on a walk.

By encouraging our young adults to take intentional steps to invite Christ into their daily lives, we can anchor them in the True Source of peace.

2. Remind them Christ directs their steps.

For many Gen Zers, the fear of messing up their future or choosing the wrong path for their life is very real. I once heard about a pastor who was talking to a young man who feared he would miss God’s plan for his life or mess it up somehow. The pastor half-laughed and asked him, “Do you think you’re powerful enough to stop God’s plan?”

Our peace is found in Christ — and it is Him who gives us the strength, wisdom, and certainty to live each day with joy.

Psalm 37:23 tells us, “The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.” It’s important for us to remind our young adults that Christ is the One who guides them and directs their lives; it’s not up to them to determine their futures or make sure they succeed.

So, whether they’re struggling with a big decision or just looking for peace in their day-to-day lives, encourage your young adults to ask God for peace and direction. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Remind your Gen Zers that God is with them and loves them dearly, and if they ask Him for direction, He will give it to them.

It’s also important for our Gen Zers to know that they don’t need to fear failure or constantly try to be perfect. Why? Because the Bible promises that God will hold us up when we fall. Psalm 37:24 goes on to say that “though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”

Christ’s mercy is enough to cover us in our shortcomings — and His love for us doesn’t change based on our failures or our successes. So, encourage your young adults to rest in that truth, and to trust God has them (and their futures) well in hand!

3. Remind them Christ gives us hope for the future.

Many Gen Zers today struggle with anxiety over the future, whether it be for their own lives or for what’s to come in the world. It’s important we remind our young adults that the Source of their peace is unchanging and He holds the future — regardless of our earthly circumstances.

In Revelation 1:8, God says of himself, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” A few verses later, Christ tells us “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades” (verses 17–18).

Encourage your Gen Zers to rest in this truth: God is sovereign and greater than our circumstances in the world. Christ is the first and the last, outside of time, who is alive and in control of all things. He is the One who takes care of us — and will be with us until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

Jeremiah 29:11 is a great verse to point them to as a reminder of God’s love and His plan for their lives. It reads, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Encourage your young adults to rest in God’s plan for their lives, and to remember that no matter what comes, He has them well in hand.

We’ve heard it preached before that peace isn’t a thing, it’s a person. And I believe that’s true. Our peace is found in Christ — and it’s Him who gives us the strength, wisdom, and certainty to live each day with joy, knowing that Christ is the One who upholds and takes care of us no matter what. So, let’s remind our young adults of that truth and help them find their peace in Christ.