Inner Peace

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

 If you check out my sidebar, you’ll see I’ve been nominated for a few awards in the last several weeks. I’m going to accept these a bit differently than most so bear with me. You have been forewarned, there are acceptance speeches forthcoming!

Eric who blogs at Hunt for Truth nominated me for the Award for Love and Kindness this week. He also nominated me a while back for the Inner Peace Award. I’m not going to admit when, you’ll have to check out his site to find out. Let’s just say that one kind of slipped by me.

It is ironic that I was nominated for the Inner Peace Award because I hadn’t really felt inner peace for a long time until I began a number of writing projects last year including this blog. I was inspired to develop this site as a way to encourage others and in doing so I surprisingly encouraged myself.

I’ve always loved to write. Yet due to life, I wasn’t really in a position to pursue this passion. Last year, I decided to stop trying to control my life and surrender it instead. I made a conscious decision to be at peace with my present and not drive myself crazy trying to orchestrate my future.

Guess what? I’m much better for it. I’m not nearly as anxious, frustrated or disappointed.

Previously, I hadn’t met some personal goals due to other obligations. That left me dissatisfied, angry and bitter. Sad, I know. I was confident about my salvation but I needed to get a few things straight here on earth!

When I began to write again, I allowed God to take it over and me over. I began this blog as an act of faith. I knew zero about blogging.

This blog began slowly. Very…very… slowly. I’m an introvert. The very idea of commenting on someone’s site terrified me. Technology and I are not friends. WordPress widgets still drive me bonkers!

However, the bloggers I’ve met and responses received about faith and  other experiences have been such a blessing to me. Blogging and sharing with others actually helped me derive a sense of purpose I was missing. I definitely serve a purpose in other aspects of my life but this one is satisfying to me.

I think we are all restless until we discover the purpose God has planted in our hearts. Unless we explore the talents we have been given, I don’t think we can be at peace. I believe so many people are frustrated and miserable because they are not doing the things they were created to do!

If you feel like you’re missing something, why not search it out? My dream was deferred twenty years. Yet now, I know God is allowing me walk out my purpose in His timing.

I have inner peace first and foremost because I have God. Knowing Him means I don’t have to be anxious for anything. I have finally realized that I don’t have to control my life because… I can’t control it!

I can respond appropriately to the events in my life. I can pray for guidance and discernment in decisions I make. I can hear and obey to save myself a lot of headache.

I am not alone in anything I am forced to face in this life. God is with me. And with God, anything is possible.

And I find peace in that.

 

**And if you think I forgot, my nominees for the Inner Peace Award will appear in the next post!

By Lilka Finley Raphael

Author, Editor, Gardner, Photographer, Pharmacist

19 comments

  2. Beautiful post ! Thanks for the inspiration.
    I totally agree with you. Always believing in God’s righteous plans, everyone of us can attain inner peace. God has a plan for all of us and believing that keeps our mind and our heart at peace.
    I would love to share with you my work about how one can change from within by realizing one’s inner peace and self-worth and become a better person. Please take time to visit my website at http://www.iamthechangeiseek.org.
    Thank you !

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  3. “I believe so many people are frustrated and miserable because they are not doing the things they were created to do!”

    Lilka, you have just hit on a fundamental reason for much of the seeking, disatisfaction and wandering in this world. Of course, realising this and addressing it are two different problems, the latter being far more difficult.

    You have been through this journey of discovery, so maybe you can share with us what you went through 🙂

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    1. You’re the second person who has asked me about that so I think I will. My life hasn’t been “traumatic” by any means but maybe my experience can help someone else. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!

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  5. What a kind and helpful post, and introduction to your own struggles for inner peace. Your picture–and the scripture (it’s one of my favorites)–are a wonderful combination. Thank you.

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    1. Marilyn, thanks so much for stopping by and taking time to comment on the post. That particular scripture has “held me up” for quite a while and especially through some harried situations.

      The butterfly came to visit while I was watering plants in the garden, was in no hurry to leave so I managed to take its picture. Gardening has also allowed me to find my inner peace. I am grateful for the times I can spend next to nature and admire what God has done.
      Have a fabulous weekend and B Blessed!

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  6. It’s about surrendering it all to Abba. Easier said than done…;-) Love how you did that–surrendered it to Abba and found that peace. I enjoy your blogs and find them very encouraging. I’d like to know about your every day life though–may be just me, but it’s how I ‘get to know’ those I can’t meet f2f.

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    1. Hey there!

      Probably a bit more of my daily life comes out over on my autism blog. When I’m absent from wordpress I am usually working ten to twelve hour shifts as a pharmacist for Publix. Not that much to talk about on that front.

      However, I think your suggestion is a good one so maybe I can work a bit more of me in my posts. Since things are beginning to bloom in my yard, my gardening exploits may find their way on this page. B Blessed and yes that surrender can be HARD but I’ve learned not surrendering is even harder. 🙂

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  7. lilkaraphael this is one of my favorite scripture getting me through trials and situations on more than one occasion. This is one of those that I can stand boldly confessing because I’ve experienced for myself, through prayer and thanksgiving a peace that transcended all understanding and stood guard over my heart and mind. I love the word of the Lord, and watching it come to pass. Thanks for sharing !

    LaTrice

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    1. LaTrice,

      I have had this scripture taped up with post it notes, repeated over and over again in mind, it has really gotten me through some trying years! Learning this is a process but God is SO FAITHFUL!
      When I let go and relinquish to HIm things workout so much better mentally, spiritually and in physical manifestation.B Blessed!

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  9. Dear Lilka, I resonate with every word written here. All I will say is that isn’t it so wonderful to have finally found your ‘place’? God’s timing is everything but being patient along the way and really listening is so hard (she says to self, ha!!).
    Your posts encourage and bless me so much. Many congratulations on all your awards, you surely do deserve every single one my dear friend…much love to you from me… 🙂

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    1. Thanks Sherri. I am very grateful for each award even though I lag a bit in accepting them. I’ve still got more to go on the other site and I’m trying to not end up like last year and get so far behind in my thank yous.

      I am thankfully at a place of peace now, though still working on the the patience and listening though! Enjoy your day! Much love and peace to you!

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  10. Lilka – that is the most poignant response I have ever – ever – seen to this award malarkey. So much of what you say is true of me (not a carbon copy by any stretch) – and your experience since writing so similar (and I guess to loads of others).

    And by linking that with those verses and the awards and sharing your words here – wow!! That has power!!

    Thank you for such a wonderful sharing of you!

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