Choosing Peace Every Day

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Well, hello, my valued listeners, and welcome back to another episode of Living in Your Power.
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I'm your host, Dr. Marlene Greenleaf, and I'm just grateful that you have chosen
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to spend this time with me today.
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Now, as we continue our July theme, Living Free, Walking Daily in Purpose and Peace,
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Today, today we are talking about something that has become one of the greatest
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lessons in my own journey And that's peace,
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Not peace because life is perfect Not peace because every problem has been solved,
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But peace that remains steady,
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even when life isn't So today's episode, the second in our July series, is titled,
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Choosing Peace Every Day.
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When we think about peace, we often imagine calm surroundings,
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like a quiet morning, a beautiful sunset, time away from responsibilities.
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And while those moments are certainly peaceful, real peace isn't dependent upon our environment.
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Because life doesn't always give us calm circumstances, there will be deadlines,
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unexpected phone calls, health challenges, family responsibilities,
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and moments of uncertainty.
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And if our peace depends on everything around us being settled,
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we'll spend most of our lives waiting for peace instead of living in it.
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Now I've learned that peace is less about what's happening around me And more
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about what's happening within me,
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It's a posture of trust A decision to remain grounded It's,
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a daily choice to believe that even when I don't understand everything God is still leading the way.
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Our scripture today comes from Isaiah 26.3, New King James Version.
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And it says, Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee,
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because he trusted in thee." Perfect peace.
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What a beautiful promise.
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But notice that peace is connected to where our minds remain.
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It says, whose mind is stayed on thee.
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So our minds can easily become occupied with worry.
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I mean, with what might happen, with what someone said, with things beyond our control.
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Yet, this scripture gently reminds us to redirect our focus.
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Not because the challenges disappear, of course not. Challenges will always be there.
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But because our trust becomes greater than our fear And the more we anchor our
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hearts in God's presence The less we are controlled by life's uncertainties.
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One of the greatest lessons I've learned Is that peace must be protected,
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Not every conversation, dear listeners, deserves your energy And not every disagreement
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requires your response.
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Not every opportunity deserves your yes.
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Sometimes protecting your peace means creating healthy boundaries.
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Sometimes it means stepping away from unnecessary conflict.
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And sometimes it means choosing silence over the need to prove a point.
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And sometimes it simply means taking a deep breath before reacting.
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Peace doesn't make us passive. Peace instead helps us to respond wisely.
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It gives us the clarity to live with grace instead of emotion.
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To choose understanding over assumption. And to remain steady when everything
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around us feels uncertain.
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So let's return to the day's promise. where it says, thou will keep him in perfect peace.
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Not temporary peace, not occasional peace, but perfect peace.
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A peace that is rooted in trust.
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So, let's take a few moments this week and reflect.
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It says, what has been competing for my peace lately?
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Am I focusing more on my circumstances or on God's promises?
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What boundary might I need to establish to protect my peace?
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And what daily practice can help me remain grounded?
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I'm going to repeat those again as always.
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Take a few moments this week and reflect on these prompts. what has been competing for my peace lately?
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Am I focusing more on my circumstances or on God's promises?
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What boundary might I need to establish to protect my peace?
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And what daily practice helps me to remain grounded?
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Remember, peace isn't something you stumble upon.
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It is something you intentionally choose.
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So my dear listeners, in closing, I want you to remember that peace is one of God's greatest gifts.
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And every day you have the opportunity to choose it.
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Not because life is always easy, of course not. But because you trust the one who walks beside you.
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As you move through this week, I want to encourage you to protect your peace. Guard your heart.
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Stay rooted in what matters most and remember true freedom is of sounding to
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truly everything around you it's found in remaining peaceful within,
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that's why I've chosen for this week this is my birthday week my birthday is
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actually on Thursday and I have chosen to protect my peace and my phrase going,
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through this week It's not today.
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Not today. Why? Because I am choosing to protect my peace in this season, my birthday season.
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So I want to thank you for joining me for episode 2 of our July series,
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Living Free, Walking Daily in Purpose and Peace.
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I mean, next week, we'll continue our journey, of course.
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And the title will be Free to Forgive, Free to Grow.
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So until next time, dear listeners, I want you to continue to live boldly in your power today.
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And if it gets tough, just breathe.
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You've still got the strength to rise. So until next time, remember to protect your peace.
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Guard your heart.
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And understand that true freedom is found in controlling everything around you.
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It's found in remaining peaceful within Protect your peace And continue to live in your power.