Peace at Last
Is having a truly peaceful life attainable and sustainable? Absolutely ... but it does involve some self-assessment and often a mental paradigm shift (Romans 12:1, 2). Today, Gabby shares her own journey to finding the kind of peace that transcends understanding (in human terms, that is). We invite you to take a few minutes to read it, as it may lead you to the rest for your soul you've been seeking.
I didn’t get it at first. I received Christ at a very young age. I grew up in the church and even attended a Christian school. People constantly talked about a peace and understanding that only came from a relationship with the Lord. But as I struggled with depression, failed friendships, and the stress of life, that peace seemed foreign to me. Everyone said, “Read your Bible” or “Pray more.” I would try to read my Bible, but as a young person, it was confusing, and I lacked the motivation to figure it out. I think deep down I felt like I would be judged if I admitted out loud I didn’t understand the Bible.
Since the Bible was so confusing, I thought maybe just talking with God would help. I prayed, but my heart was rocky soil. I let tough situations pull me away and overpower any answer God provided. I looked around and noticed that many others struggled in a similar way. They announced their love for Jesus, but when life got hard, they tried to fix everything on their own. I couldn’t figure out what I, and so many others, were missing.
That was until I finally experienced the peace and joy I had heard about in so many sermons. For the first time in my life, I stopped worrying about tomorrow. I felt confident in God’s will for my life, and for the first time, I felt sheer freedom—freedom from the stress of trying to fix all of my problems myself. What I had been missing all these years was so simple, yet incredibly difficult to do: I had to let go of control and fully trust that God was going to take care of me.
I had to let go of the sin that I was putting above God. I had to let go of my desire to control my life. I had to let go of my fear of the unknown. In the midst of my depression, I remember vividly expressing the feeling that I had lost all control of my life. I was in deep pain and felt utterly helpless. There was nothing I could do to fix it. But He could. And He did.
For the first time in my life, I stopped worrying about tomorrow.
I wouldn’t be sitting here today, typing these words, if God hadn’t moved in my life. He pulled me through that dark time, but even then, I had many lessons to learn before I fully understood His purpose. God was, and always is, in complete control of this world and of our lives. As soon as I finally embraced that reality and let go of the sin and fear holding me back, it felt like a whole new world opened up.
So, what changed?
Honestly, a few things over the years built up to this point. One of them was going to the EQUIP Retreat after I graduated high school. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was starting to understand the Bible. The speakers spoke on topics I had been too embarrassed to express at church or school for fear that my salvation would be questioned. It was the beginning of me finally trusting God. My next step was to let go of the sin I put above God. As much as I wanted to put my complete trust in God, I was still letting sin dictate my choices.
A couple of days before my wedding day, God very clearly spoke to my heart, saying that I needed to rededicate my vows to Him before I said my vows to my husband. God was telling me it was time to let go. That night, I was rebaptized and rededicated my life to Christ. As soon as I came out of the water, tears flowed from my eyes. I felt God‘s forgiveness and redemption overwhelming me. It had always been available to me, but I finally stopped fighting it. It was after that day that my relationship with Christ exploded. I walked down the aisle a couple of days later with confidence and excitement for God's path for me. I had let go, and I finally got it―I finally understood what everyone was talking about.
Today, I revel in that peace and joy, no matter what happens in my personal life or the world around me. I only wish I had let go sooner. My relationship with the Lord has grown in ways I could never have imagined. I now hear Him clearly, consult Him in every situation, and have peace that whatever tomorrow brings is a part of His plan.
One of the things that I find most exciting about all of this is that I understand when I read the Bible. I actually feel like God speaks to me as my eyes flow over His Word.
Today, I revel in that peace and joy, no matter what happens in my personal life or the world around me.
Isaiah 26:3 rings true: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” I had been trying to play God in my life, but now, I fully trust Him to guide me at every step.
Reader, I encourage you to sit with Him and ask what you need to let go of to fully experience the joy and peace only He can give.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Author Bio:
Howdy! My name is Gabrielle Terry, but you can call me Gabby. My husband, Riley, and I have been married since October 2022 and live in the beautiful state of Georgia! Currently, I help produce content for our social media, coordinate guests for our podcast, The DeBunked Files, and help foster relationships with our amazing supporters. I also get to help with our amazing Mic’dUP Discipleship program, where we help students and leaders feel equipped to evangelize to those around them.
One of my biggest passions is learning about how God designed our bodies and what we can do to support them. I also wanted to help others learn this information, so I became a certified Nutritional Therapist. Now, I can help people understand the foundations of what our body needs to thrive through holistic practices according to God’s design.
Through Reasons for Hope and my services as a Nutritional Therapist, I hope to help people learn how to embrace God’s purpose and design for their lives spiritually and physically.
Howdy! My name is Gabrielle Terry, but you can call me Gabby. My husband, Riley, and I have been married since October 2022 and live in the beautiful state of Georgia! Currently, I help produce content for our social media, coordinate guests for our podcast, The DeBunked Files, and help foster relationships with our amazing supporters. I also get to help with our amazing Mic’dUP Discipleship program, where we help students and leaders feel equipped to evangelize to those around them.
One of my biggest passions is learning about how God designed our bodies and what we can do to support them. I also wanted to help others learn this information, so I became a certified Nutritional Therapist. Now, I can help people understand the foundations of what our body needs to thrive through holistic practices according to God’s design.
Through Reasons for Hope and my services as a Nutritional Therapist, I hope to help people learn how to embrace God’s purpose and design for their lives spiritually and physically.
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Posted in Gabby Terry
Posted in Gabby Terry, Reasons for Hope, peace, rest for your soul, freedom, EQUIP, Isaiah 26:3, Romans 15:13, let go
Posted in Gabby Terry, Reasons for Hope, peace, rest for your soul, freedom, EQUIP, Isaiah 26:3, Romans 15:13, let go
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