So you’ve been spinning your wheels. You’ve changed jobs repeatedly and even your current position doesn’t fulfill you. You’ve been from church to church looking for the right set of folks to worship with. No one understands you. You’ve talked over your problems with your family and friends and can’t find any comfort in their advice. Nothing satisfies you. Even the cool vibrant autumn morning God offers you don’t capture your eyes as you commute to work. Nothing is working. You’re working hard; trying to accomplish different goals and build a future but still nothing is coming together. Heck, whenever you look in the mirror you aren’t satisfied with your appearance. You hair isn’t right, skin doesn’t look good, and if you could just lose those last five pounds you know you would be a better person. If you could win the lottery you could really start living or if you could find that special someone you would be complete. You just aren’t happy with yourself. And no matter how much God blesses you, it just isn’t enough to keep your happiness in check. You aren’t happy with the choices you’ve made or the life you’re living. What’s happening?

The bottom line is you need peace in your life. And peace can’t come from money, a wardrobe full of clothes, or from folks finally acting harmonious around you; the kiss and love from that special person can‘t give you peace. Peace doesn’t come from anything external because external objects only last as long as they’re good for. That beloved one might bring you some bliss, but you wouldn’t know it because your inner peace has been broken and hasn’t been re-established yet.

The kind of peace that surpasses all understanding comes from within. The ability to be able to count your blessings in the midst of adversity is inner peace. The ability to forgive those that hurt you even when it the most hard thing to do is the beginning of the journey to inner peace. To accept all that God allows in your life is inner peace. God won’t let the hard things harm you yet make you stronger. You could be in the middle of a horrific situation and all of a sudden peace showers you that’s your Spirit Man of Woman helping you to bask in your inner peace.

You were born with inner peace. It is your birthright, but over the years things have been done to you that has disturbed your inner peace so now you must reconcile to what God had given you when He formed you. But how can you do that when people keep trying you, situations keep interfering, your patience being tested to the limit. Believe me I’ve been there. Even as I write this devotional I’m going through hard stuff. Yet my inner peace is intact.

This is what I’ve learned. If I don’t let the hard stuff get under my skin, if I can stick to business as usual and trust in God in spite of what I’m going through then my peace will not be disturbed. If I take a moment to breathe and acknowledge my blessings then my inner peace is still intact. If I don’t let that person’s hurtful behavior get to me, but instead accept that person for who they are and pray for that person then my inner peace is still secure.

I want you to have inner peace so this is what I want you to do. First take a deep cleansing breath. Doesn’t that feel nice? Do it until it feels nice. Now ask yourself: Do I deserve inner peace? Hope your answer is yes. Now ask: What am I thankful for? Spend the day with your answers. Write them down if you can. Make a list of all the things you’re thankful. Ponder deeply on this list and take your time and trust your heart for the answers.

On tomorrow I’m sending out part two to this devotional.

Be Bless in your journey to inner peace.