It seems like there is always something to be concerned about. I’m not sure there was ever a time when life was entirely smooth and easy-going. There may have been seasons of peace, joy, and prosperity, but no season is permanent. Just as the seasons of nature change, so do the seasons of life—including times of war and hardship.
Right now, concerns about the economy, inflation, and the threat of Trump’s tariffs weigh on us. On a personal level, we constantly take issues to God in prayer. We pray for a job, and when we get it, we pray not to lose it. We pray for the means to buy a house, and once we do, we pray for the ability to pay the mortgage and bills. We pray to find love, and when we do, we pray that love remains.
I have come to understand that this is simply the nature of life. No stage is the easiest. Each of us will experience different seasons on our journey.
There is a time and season for everything.
When challenges arise, people often look to the “other side,” believing the grass is greener. Yet, life is not necessarily easier there. Job security with full time employment is no longer a given, and the hustle is real for contractors, small business owners, and entrepreneurs, who must work twice as hard to earn a living and build their brands.
We are all surrounded by worldly elements that foster anxiety, placing our emotional and mental health at risk. The world feels like a jungle, where only the fittest survive—yet even the fittest are struggling to stay grounded.
Stress is universal. It is not unique to you. Everyone out there is currently going through something. When I realized that we are all exposed to stressors and that each of us has a story of experiences that have left deep scars, I made the decision not to merely go with the flow or passively endure life—I would enjoy it. Life is a gift from God, and we must choose to embrace it with gratitude and intention.
Only those who are intentional about living in peace can truly be understanding and accepting of others. Only those who recognize that stress is universal will be sympathetic to those going through difficult times.
The truth is, we are blessed, but life’s situations often try to convince us otherwise. If chaos, uncertainty, and struggles are inevitable parts of life, then surely, something must exist to counteract the stress.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” – Jesus Christ (John 14:27)
It’s time we acknowledge and accept this divine gift of peace. It offers a better way to navigate life—a higher level we should strive for in our pursuit of success and wholeness, however we define them.
It is essential to have and maintain the peace of God in your heart—despite all odds. I often remind myself and others: If you lose anything, ensure that you never lose your peace. If you must give up something, make sure you hold onto your peace.
If you are experiencing a discouraging season, may you find encouragement in His peace. If you are facing a tumultuous time, may you be strengthened in His peace.
Peace to you!
Thanks for this blog! Very well said! Stress and struggle is universal. The only difference is how each person decides to behave in the circumstance. Peace is a state of stability that is unperturbed with the conditions of the weather, or the waves of emotions. Rather, a kind of a steady state (if you may), that comes from having the assurance that you are in good hands irrespective of the odds. When God says He gives us peace that passeth all understanding, He is not just referring to the understanding of others, He also refers to the fact that even our own heart may not understand why we have to choose tranquility during turmoil when the mind just want to do the opposite.
Being able to demonstrate peace in the midst of a heavy storm takes a conscious effort and intentionality. It is a choice.