Why Seek Inner Peace?

We are living in a war zone within ourselves. We are battling the person we really are with the person we want others to see.  Our culture says that if we don’t like who we are, we have permission to be the person we want to be.  Many times, though, we realize that it takes far too much effort and deep soul searching in order for that to be true.  Instead, we choose the easier option of putting on a mask and displaying that person to the world.

Social media condones our masks.  Think about it: How many selfies were in your news feed today? How many posts did you read that gave an implication the author was having the time of her life? How many photos were perfect in your eyes? This is the world we live in.

As Christians, there is an additional battle happening.  We know that God can heal.  We know of his strength and have been told of it.  But how deep are we willing to let Him go? I have news for you: God cannot heal your mask.  He can’t even bless it.

There are many resources out there on finding happiness. While those do share helpful information, they only scratch the surface of the transformation that needs to be made in one’s life.  Inner peace takes you deeper.  Inner peace confronts the root of everything you face from your past, present, and future.  It allows you to make sense of your experiences and control your perspective on them.

The most beautiful part of it all is that if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, peace is already within you.  In John 14:27 (NIV), Jesus revealed this “gift” to his disciples.

Peace 2

Our issue is not whether or not we have peace; it’s about how we access it.  When we face those things that are holding us back – our emotions, past hurts, insecurities, shame, guilt, worry, forgiveness  (I could go on and on…) – it is only then that we can access the gift that has already been given to us.  God cannot reach those deeper places and heal you if you don’t let Him.  You start by taking off the mask.

This blog’s approach to finding inner peace is not through Eastern philosophical principals, although you may find some similarities.  I strongly believe that we don’t need to look to the East because our principles are in God’s Word.  It is also important to note that while it is possible for healing to happen immediately, many times it is a process that requires patience, discipline, and willingness to keep going, even when the process is painful, which is why Empowered Narrative approaches this as a journey.   What I’ve found to be true, though, is that most times, the journey is the destination.


Denzel Washington