Achieving Inner Peace

As I begin to work with women to enhance their overall wellness, it has become very clear to me that many us lack inner peace. We are overwhelmed and buried by just living life with all of the challenges, trials and struggles we face. Developing inner peace is a process; it is not simple or short. Unfortunately, we cannot wake up one morning and decide we have inner peace.

So many times we rely on “outside” things to bring us contentment (i.e., money, friends, house, cars, clothes, shopping, relationships, jobs, church, etc.) These things never truly bring us peace or happiness. Peace and serenity must come from within; a contentment of knowing God and the recognition that the most important goal of life should be establishing a relationship with HIM.

We must get rid of low self-esteem, pride, arrogance, hidden jealousy, and other sources of negativity, because this interferes with our ability to hear from God and fulfill his divine purpose for our life. When we are depressed, many times we continually repeat negative thoughts. How do we break this cycle of despair? How do we eliminate the clutter from our minds that is causing us to miss the mark and press on! Your mind should be continually reconstructed by the Holy Spirit. God wants to put new thoughts within you that will enable you to soar above your past and fill you with a great sense of destiny.

First, we must rely on God, knowing that HE has the power to help us. In John 15:5, Jesus says that apart from Him, we can do nothing. We need to depend on God for help with everything in our lives. We must learn to trust God, and not our self.

Second, we must stay in God’s word. Of course, many times this is difficult because when you are depressed it is hard to do anything. One of my favorite scriptures related to inner peace is: Philippians 4:7 (KJV) which says, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Finally, I have found that when I am down, I can renew myself through praise and worship music. What are your favorite praise and worship songs? My favorite is Wess Morgan’s song, I Come To Worship You. He sings:

“Far so long I was silent. Far so long I did not have a song of praise.

Depression filled my days and clouds blocked my ways,

but there was a voice speaking to me awaking the passion so quiet in me,

so still in me….I choose to worship HIM. I just can’t give up.

I choose to worship, my mind is made up.”

You must find the key to open your door to develop a greater sense of inner peace and contentment. Life is to short, tomorrow is not promised, and you must enjoy the moment. I pray that God will reveal himself to you in such a powerful way, that you find joy, peace and contentment.