Inner Peace

Since I was a little girl, my mama has taught me about this thing called inner peace. I honestly always thought it was a myth, or that she was just special for experiencing it. But in the last couple of months, I've finally felt it for myself - and it's incredible.

I didn't find inner peace by living cautiously, but instead by obeying a prompting and taking a leap of faith. When I did what God wanted me to do, it all suddenly fell into place. Day by day, I grew happier and happier, until I recognized that I hadn't been upset in a long time. And then I went to bed one night and realized that I couldn't wait to wake up.

I've never felt more love for myself and for my life than I do right now. I also feel an overwhelming love for my Heavenly Father, and for the gift of life that He and His Son have given me. It is truly a gift, and until you gain a testimony of that for yourself, I can't explain it to you. It may take you a while, but the journey is worth it, because someday you're going to wake up and you're going to recognize the change.

Someday, you're going to breathe and it's going to feel different. Someday, you're going to walk outside and appreciate the detail of every little thing. Someday, you're going to look in the mirror and truly see your body as a temple. And that day is going to be unforgettable. I encourage you - no, I plead with you - to strive for that day. Because I love you, and I want you all to feel this incredible thing.

You might ask, how can I achieve that? How can I find that peace, when it seems so far away? I've felt that. I understand. My answer is simple: grow closer to God, and obey Him diligently. The more you strive to be like Him, the more you will find confidence in yourself and your future. In the end, it's vital to trust Him more than anything (or anyone) else. It's vital to realize that He holds your life in His hands, and that even leaping into the unknown is safe when you're with Him.

I've spent most of my life dreading falling asleep at night, and worrying about what will happen tomorrow. But now, I'm excited. I'm thrilled. And that doesn't mean that my life is easy. It isn't. This leap of faith has been the most difficult thing I've ever done. A day doesn't go by that something doesn't go wrong. But that's not the point. The point is that it's possible to be in a place where you feel so much peace, that what goes wrong doesn't bring you down - not really. You may cry (I have), and you may feel sadness (I have), but it will be different - because you'll understand the bigger picture.

I've faced horrible, heartbreaking things over the years ... but I've learned that they're part of my journey, and that I wouldn't be the same person without them. I trust that God has given me every trial and experience for a reason. I trust that He knows best, and that He loves me, and that He will guide me in the right direction. I know that that's true for all of you, as well.

It's possible, my friends. It really is. I'm not perfect, not by any means, but you don't have to be perfect to be happy. You really don't. You only need to be on the right path, and striving for the right things. You only need to follow God. You only need to step back and realize that He loves you, and that He will take care of you, if you do your part and trust Him. He doesn't expect us to be flawless. He knows that we're human - He created us that way. What He wants is for us to accept His love, His help, and His guidance. He wants to aid us in this journey.

Life is awesome. I'm so grateful for it. And I love you all. As you go about your days and weeks, listen to the Spirit and see where it takes you. You'll be amazed.

God loves you. The Creator of this entire universe, and many others, loves you. Please remember that.

Bonnie Gwyn