Protecting My Peace, God’s Way✨

A friend once said to me, “I’m all about protecting my peace.”

And I understood exactly what she meant.

Because I’ve walked through seasons where peace felt fragile…

Where emotions felt heavy…

Where even getting through the day took more effort than I wanted to admit.

If you’ve ever struggled with depression, you know it’s not just in your head, and it’s not something you can simply “snap out of.”

And something we don’t talk about enough?

Perimenopause can play a role in depression. Hormones shifting, sleep disrupted, emotions rising out of nowhere. It’s real. And there is absolutely no shame in that.

None.

But here’s what the Lord has been gently showing me…

Peace isn’t something I can manufacture, force, or fight for. It’s not found in controlling my environment, avoiding hard things, or trying to hold everything together.

Real peace isn’t protected.

It’s received.

It’s given.

It’s a gift from Jesus.

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” ~John 14:27

So instead of striving to “protect my peace,” I’m learning to remain in Him. Abiding, if you will.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” ~Isaiah 26:3

• I don’t need to prove my point, because the Lord is my defender.

  “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” ~Exodus 14:14

• I don’t need to carry guilt, because Jesus already bore it.

  “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree…” ~1 Peter 2:24

• I don’t need validation from people, because I am fully known and deeply loved.

  “Before a word is on my tongue You, Lord, know it completely.” ~Psalm 139:4

• I don’t need to fix everything, because God is sovereign.

  “For My thoughts are not your thoughts…” ~Isaiah 55:8–9

• I don’t need to hustle for my worth, because grace already secured it.

  “For it is by grace you have been saved… not by works.” ~Ephesians 2:8–9

• I don’t need to fear what’s ahead, because God goes before me.

  “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you…” ~Deuteronomy 31:8

And when my mind starts to spiral or feel heavy, I come back here:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition… present your requests to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 4:6–7

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” ~1 Peter 5:7

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted…” ~Psalm 34:18

Peace isn’t found in perfect circumstances. It’s found in surrender.

And part of that surrender, for me, has also meant caring for my body, because what’s happening physically can affect us emotionally in very real ways. Supporting my health has been one piece of the healing God is walking me through.

Not perfect.

But healing.

And if you’re in a season where you feel off- emotionally, physically, hormonally, friend, you are not alone.

I would love to walk this journey with you.

Gently. Honestly. Without pressure or shame.

A Simple Prayer for Peace 🤍

Lord,

You see every part of me- the heavy places, the tired thoughts, the emotions I don’t even understand.

Thank You that I don’t have to fix myself before coming to You. Thank You that Your peace is a gift, not something I have to earn.

Quiet my mind.

Steady my heart.

Help me trust You in the unknown and rest in what is true.

Teach me to release what I was never meant to carry.

And remind me, again and again, that I am safe in You.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Journal Prompts ✍️

• Where have I been trying to “protect my peace” in my own strength?

• What am I currently carrying that God is asking me to release?

• Which Scripture in this post speaks most to my heart right now and why?

• How have I seen God’s faithfulness in past hard seasons?

• What might it look like for me to surrender, instead of strive, today?

• Am I caring for my body in ways that support my emotional and spiritual health? What’s one small step I can take?

• What truth from God’s Word can I return to when my thoughts feel overwhelming?

If this spoke to your heart, you don’t have to navigate it alone.

There is hope. There is healing. And there is a peace that holds you- even here. 💛