How to Make a Better You – Finding Peace

by Nina Sabin - Healthy Tip

Everyone wants to have peace in their lives, but struggle to find it. Many times, once they find it, it can be hard to keep it. So many things hold us back from truly experiencing the peace God plans for our lives. We may focus on things from that past, circumstances, relationships, self-esteem, etc. They can form strongholds that affect our mind, spirit, and body. These strong-holds can keep us in bondage and being able to experience true peace.

So what are strongholds? They are the areas in our life that hold us back from being able to feel peace. First, you need to identify the strongholds in your life. This can include forgiveness, too high of expectations of yourself and others, lies you believe, past hurts, things you have said and feel regret, and you may have others I have not listed.

I know some of you reading this Healthy Tip might not believe in religion. But the truth is you believe in something. A pastor once told me we all believe. It may be in the fact the chair your sitting in won’t break, or your car will start when you are ready to go. My point is everyone can and wants to believe in something. With that said, without a relationship with God, it is impossible to truly experience peace. As it states in the Bible verse below – those who believe receive divine power to demolish strongholds.

Strong-hold in the Bible is as follows: “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:3-4, NIV)

This means there is a spiritual battle that goes on in our lives. However, we don’t need to fight the battle. It is already won by Jesus dying on the cross for our sins (John 3:16). That does not mean we are not tempted, but we have the strength and power through the Holy Spirit to have peace and have it abundantly. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10) This verse is referring to a life of peace.

So how do we get past these strongholds and truly find peace?

We first need to focus on the right things in life.

1) Putting God first in our lives - In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. (Proverbs 3:6)

2) Don’t allow thing things in your life steal your joy or peace. Those things are from the enemy. The joy of the LORD is your strength! (Nehemiah 8:10b)

3) If you have unforgiveness, find ways to forgive. It only causes more bitterness and hurt. However, forgiveness brings healing which leads to peace. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:37)

4) Try to find love at all times – it is not always easy but it is possible once you train yourself. God loves everyone no matter what. As the phrase goes ‘Love conquers all’. Love will bring you peace. 1 Corinthians 13:13 says, “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

To Make a Better You find that true peace – let go of things and allow God to be your guide. He loves you and want you to have an abundant peaceful life. Please share your thoughts in Health Chat with Nina.