I recently came across this phrase in the book of Proverbs, and it caught me by surprise. This isn't because I hadn't read it before — I have been reading God's word constantly, but somehow this verse just never stood out to me, or perhaps I just hadn't noticed it. This is the power of meditation; I took my time to dwell on that verse that day.
“No wonder I haven't been sick this year. It's because I've been pursuing peace all this time,” I thought to myself.
It's not that I didn't already know the value of peace. It's not as though I hadn't understood that life is better when you prioritise peace over anything else, leading to a healthier life. It wasn’t even a new concept to me, nor did I doubt that, without peace, one becomes snared in life's worries. I have known this truth for years, and it is what makes me value my peace above everything else.
Coming across that Bible verse and relating it to my own life, not having been sick all year wasn't entirely new to me. I have sought peace for as long as I can remember, aware of how vital it is to my well-being.
I know that finding calmness and tranquility, even amid life's hardships, uncertainties and adversities, has shifted my mindset. It has helped me focus on the present rather than worry about a future that is not certain, trusting that God is in control.
It took me a while to truly digest that verse, connecting it to my own life, my determination to avoid unnecessary conflicts, and my choice to live simply, grateful for what I have. I avoid worrying about things beyond my reach or feeling angered on what I lack, as these anxieties rob us of life's true beauty — the beauty of living in the moment and relying on God for tomorrow.
Many people strive for fame/popularity and join circles of friends who lead flamboyant lifestyles, chasing trends and keeping up apparitions. In the process, they lose sight of their own unique path. They succumb to the pressures of society, family, and life itself, becoming people-pleasers and losing the peace they desperately seek.
They put pressures on themselves with unnecessary concerns, and before they realize what is happening, they age beyond their years and suffer physically, emotionally and psychologically while scrambling to put their lives back together. But it's mostly too late for them.
For some, hard lessons arise from these experiences which they come back to learn, while others take longer to rediscover their purpose. After much reflection, they find themselves asking, “What was the point of all these pursuits if they never brought me peace?”
My code — one of many I live by is simple: to seek peace above all else, not exerting energy on things beyond my control or reach. With that peace within, I enjoy a healthy life, trusting that as long as God is in control and that He has my life in the palm of His hand, everything will unfold in its own time.
The image has its source link embedded in it
Thanks for your time reading. Looking forward to your interaction.
