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Will I Ever Experience True Peace?

Will I Ever Experience True Peace? Finding peace means nurturing your physical health, spiritual health, and emotional health. A sense of peace is missing.

Life is that one-step-in-front-of-the-other type effort.

Unsettled even though blessings are abundant.  

An unsettling that edges its way to implosion.

A roller coaster of emotions.

Where is that peace? Why can it not be found?

 

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly –John 10:10 NKJV

Let that verse sink in. Read it again. Like this …

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly –John 10:10 NKJV

And once more inserting your name or the name of dearly loved one in the blank.

I have come that _______may have life, and that ______ may have it more abundantly –John 10:10 NKJV

Imagine Jesus as He spoke those words, bearing all the love (and more) we feel for our children, our spouse, our families, or our dear friends. I believe He spoke it with passion. Because when we love we are passionate about who we love. We want nothing more than for our loved ones to live an abundant life.

Friends, Jesus’ words didn’t stop with giving us the gift of salvation.

He had a promise for us that includes life on this side of the cross as well!

Jesus didn't die only for our salvation.He died for our lives on this side of the cross,too! #salvation #peaceforalifetime Click To Tweet

His gift is an abundant life!

Abundant!

Meaning

Abounding

Copious

Profuse

Overflowing

But how many of us can really claim that kind of existence?

Some of us believe that a life like that is impossible. Not a part of our story. While some refuse to even think of it for fear of feeling too many emotions. And still, even others know the peace is out there, but feel defeated in our efforts to find it.

Peace for a Lifetime

In Lisa Murray’s book, Peace for a Lifetime: Embracing a Life of Hope, Wholeness, & Harmony through Emotional Abundance, she points out three areas of health we need to nurture in order to experience abundant living.

Physical

Spiritual

Emotional

“They work hard to develop spiritual peace, but too often these same people use their spiritual intelligence to protect themselves from ever acknowledging or dealing with their emotional wounds. They become the walking wounded.” –Lisa Murray

“We find peace with God, strengthening our spiritual self, but in the process, no matter how much we read the Bible and pray, we simply cannot find freedom from our emotional wounds. “ –Lisa Murray

Friends, those two quotes made my heart skip a beat. They stopped me. Because it is a problem in the Christian world.

“I shouldn’t feel this way. I must be doing something wrong when it comes to Jesus.”

“I must not be a good Christian.”

Or even worse …

“She must have some unrepented sin in her life.”

“She must not be praying, reading her Bible, communing with Jesus enough.”

There is often a false assumption that if we are spiritually healthy we therefore will be  or are emotionally healthy.

We take Bible studies. We read His Word. We pray.

But, friends, do we nurture our emotional health? Do we allow ourselves to feel? Or do we stuff the emotions? Maybe we cover them up? Or maybe we let them rule over our lives?

None of these options are healthy. None will bring us peace. And none will lead to what Lisa calls in her book “Emotional Abundance.”

Lisa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in spiritual, emotional, and relational healing as well as a full spectrum of mental health issues.  She has sat across from so many broken hearts. People who cannot find that peace. People who are not living abundantly. People who are not experiencing Emotional Abundance. And she brings that experience to this book.

In this book, she gives us the steps and the tools to discover that healing. She writes in a way that gives us the freedom to put our walls down and look inside ourselves to the emotions living there. There is no fluff. It’s sound strategic advice, but it’s filled with the voice and the heart of compassion and empathy.

Last week I wrote about Holley Gerth’s new LifeGrowth Guide and this week I get the honor of writing about this book. I can honestly say that when I became a part of each of the launch teams, I knew I loved the hearts and ministries behind both of these women. I didn’t even need to pause before making my decision to jump on board. However, what I didn’t know was how God would speak loudly to me through both of them! Together, these books will leave you knowing your worth and knowing how to find Emotional Abundance. Because when you both grasp the depth of your worth and embrace emotional health, you will, without a doubt, experience true Peace for a Lifetime!

And guess what? I have another giveaway for you! Of course, I again would love for all of you to have a copy of this book so you can experience true peace, but I can’t do that. However, I can get a book in at least one of your hands! Just sign up through the Rafflecopter below!!

Peace for a Lifetime

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Will I Ever Experience True Peace? Click To Tweet

Thank you so much for participating in my book giveaway last week! I am excited to send a copy to new subscriber Linda! Linda, thank you so much for participating. I know you will be immensely blessed with Holley’s book and guide, but I am praying for God to do great big things through it!

If you enjoyed what you read here, I would be so blessed if you did 2 things! 1)Share this post 2)Subscribe to this blog. When you subscribe, I get to give you a couple of fun little gifts! My Companion journal e-book that goes hand-in-hand with my series on Betrayal and a set of 7 original printable Thank You Cards.

You can regularly find me linking up with these encouraging writers.

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47 Comments

  1. Sometimes it is difficult to remember that we can trust our Heavenly Father to do what is best for us in all situations. But if we remember that he will never leave us or forsake us no matter what the situation, we can indeed feel at peace.

    1. Aileen, I definitely agree. If we can remember and fully embrace that He will never leave or forsake us, we can have peace. Healing old wounds and re-teaching ourselves to do that remembering and embracing is the work we need to do for emotional health. Together, peace is ours! Thank you so much for visiting this week!!!
      Blessings and smiles,
      Lori

  2. Delores McPherson says:

    Abundant peace, what a joyous thought! I have quiet peace, peace about my eternal salvation, peace about my ongoing relationship with Jesus. I have never really thought about abundant peace. Peace that overflows into the lives of others..that is the kind of peace I would like to know.

    1. Hi Delores,
      I think that is exactly why Lisa’s book has such a unique message. That overflowing peace! I will be praying you receive that peace, my friend! You would truly enjoy her book!
      Blessings and smiles,
      Lori

  3. I loved your questions: “Do we nurture our emotional health? Do we allow ourselves to feel? Or do we stuff the emotions? Maybe we cover them up? Or maybe we let them rule over our lives?” These thoughts are so important to consider. Sometimes we start to believe that life will never really change but things can get better. We can experience transformation and this book would be a great catalyst for just that! Great review!

    1. Thanks so much, Angela! This book just blew me away. It has a unique message. There are many books about peace, but I loved the message of receiving God’s love for spiritual peace, but the practical work that needs to be done for our emotional health! I’m so glad you stopped by this week!!!
      Hugs,
      Lori

  4. Oh Lori … another beautifully written, soul searching blog post for a wonderful book and book launch!!! I can so relate. In fact, PEACE, was my One Word for 2013 (which was the year after that fire totaled our MN home) … and PEACE was needed and found … but boy, can I see myself in your words and questions. This stood out to me beyond your truthful questions and willingness to be vulnerable with your honesty:

    “There is often a false assumption that if we are spiritually healthy we therefore will be or are emotionally healthy.”

    I work at being spiritually healthy and often suppress that emotional part of me that really needs to be healthier (so does my spiritual health) even if I DO all the “checklist” … I really need to just BE healthier and practice what I read and say I believe. Perfect peace comes through knowing Jesus even when our outside world may be crumbling, we can hold on to that inner peace (is what I’ve done). Sometimes I fall apart emotionally but know that He holds me together and sustains me through the unsettling times, troubles, problems, even sin when I confess and repent (then doubt rushes in and the accuser begins again). Yep, I can so relate to this …

    So I clicked over to Lisa Murray’s blog first, then to Amazon … and as you know, I limit my book intake through reviewing when I can … so I signed up for Kindle Unlimited free trial just so I could download “Peace for a Lifetime…” (if only life was that easy)… don’t really understand how Kindle Unlimited works yet but as I type this Lisa’s book is waiting for me to read! YEAH!!! See how God works! I also noticed Holley’s book was marked down, but not available through Kindle Unlimited (?) but as I checked my emails, I had one from Revell and Net Galley so I also have that one in Adobe Digital Reader for 55 days … 🙂 and am waiting to hopefully get Holley’s first book. So I’m doing the happy “Mexican hat” dance down here … as much as I’m sure I’d love their real books in my hands … especially to note and write in the margins and do the work … I am so blessed and content with how God works! Thank you again. This is really a wonderful review with great spiritual and emotional application. I hope you don’t mind, based on your email to me, I have added you in my bookmarks not just under “Blogs” but under “Friends”. Also, I don’t do the “follow” thing … because I focus on following Jesus only, but I added you on “blogs to read” reading list so you will pop up when you do … yes, I considered subscribing but that would mean just another email in my updates that I glance through rather than really read.

    Many blessings and Peace in Christ, new friend ans sister in Christ,
    Peggy

    1. …found out a little more about Kindle Unlimited … sad to say, I should have known better … I don’t get to keep Lisa’s book … if/when or at the end of my free trial … so rather than subscribe in a month, I will most likely get either hers or Holley’s 1st book (because reading LifeGrowth, it looks like I need to read the chapters from the 1st “You’re Already Amazing”) … Still happy I get to read them though and still blessed by you!!! 🙂

    2. Thank you so much, sweet friend! I am so so SO happy you were able to download Lisa’s book! That is fantastic!! And I can’t wait until you get your hands on the real copies that will be coming your way!!! And thank you so much for joining me along this journey! God has aligned our lives for a purpose!
      Blessings and smiles,
      Lori

  5. A lot of truths here, Lori. Thank you. I’m so glad both books spoke to you. I think also that when we are not emotionally healthy, too many falsely assume or judge that we are not spiritually healthy. That our faith is too weak. Blessings and hugs to you, my friend!

    1. I couldn’t agree more, Trudy. It breaks my heart to see, hear, or feel the judgement of other well-intentioned Christians. Emotionally unhealthy does not always equate spiritual unhealthiness. I believe spiritual health can hugely effect our emotional health, but we still need to do the work to unlearn and relearn strategies for emotional health.

      I know I tell you all the time, but I so enjoy your visits!
      Blessings and smiles,
      Lori

  6. Sounds like a great book on a topic we all have to work through. No one gets to skip dealing with our emotions–even though we may try. Thanks for sharing Lisa’s book today. Linking with you again:) at #RaRaLinkUp. I really like you blog!

    1. Hi Ginger,
      Thanks so much for visiting, Ginger! I’m so glad you enjoyed your time here!
      Blessings and smiles,
      Lori

  7. Thanks for sharing about peace today, Lori.
    I do think so many Christians are peace-less!
    I don’t want to be one of them! In fact, the most godly people I know life lives marked by incredible peace. What a great goal!
    I’ll be sharing this one today!
    Blessings,
    Melanie

    1. Thanks so much, Melanie! You make a great point. When I, too, think of the most Godly people I know, they were/are people of great peace!
      Hugs,
      Lori

  8. This really hit a cord Lori! I will surely put this book on my list..
    It is so true..is our emotional life full and enriched by Christ, or left behind
    like a lost child? So many of us have had difficult childhood’s of emotional
    deprivation with wounds that run deep, our emotions hidden into cobweb corners..
    We may be spiritually rich, but emotionally deprived..Christ wants to heal each of the complex parts of our beautiful selves! Blessings, thank you for this revelation..

    1. Oh, Kathy, you will love this book! It is so beautifully written, but so full of strategy, logic, and truth! Those wounds need to be washed out and cleansed so they can finally close and heal properly. Thanks so much for visiting this week! I always look forward to your comments! You are such a bright sweet light!

  9. Lori, thanks for sharing Lisa’s book with us. Love her! 🙂

    I am so thankful that God promises us His peace moment by moment as we lean into Him.

    1. Amen! Thank you so much for visiting, Lyli!

  10. Peace is a high priority in our ministry, family, and marriage… we pray into it and create space for it and we let peace be our umpire (Col 3:15) –but we also often take it for granted because it has become such a normal, (super natural) natural way in which we function and live. It’s when we get into a circumstance or atmosphere where Peace is lacking that we are once again reminded that sometimes it’s a hard fought, and hard won battle to hang on to the Peace that God gives us… but it’s always worth it! This sounds like a great book! (And I love Holley and her books as well!)

    1. Hi Karrilee,
      I love that you make a priority of building peace into all the areas of your life. How true that we can easily take it for granted only to be reminded when its absence is noted! Absence makes the heart grow fonder 🙂 Thanks so much for visiting and sharing!!!
      Blessings and smiles,
      Lori

  11. I do struggle with self-worth. I think at some level all women deal with this – especially in specific seasons of life! I’m so thankful for a God who chooses to remind us of our identity through His Word & the Spirit.
    Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway, Lori. This book sounds amazing!

    1. Hi Alison,
      I wholeheartedly agree. If there are any women who have never dealt with this in any way, they are very fortunate!
      Praying for your abundant peace, my friend!
      Lori

  12. Such a great review of this book! It is such a fantastic book! Definitely worth having. I love the first verse that you used and I love how you left the blanks for us to be blessed by putting ourselves in God’s love! I hope that you have a wonderful week and thank you for sharing this with us at Sitting Among Friends on Wednesdays!

    1. Thanks so much, Jaime! I am so glad you enjoyed it! And thank you for your wonderful community!
      Hugs,
      Lori

  13. I love the point that we can think of ourselves, or even worse as you said, of others as being spiritually unhealthy if we are emotionally unhealthy. It is so much more complicated than that. I have experienced the power of God’s peace in difficult circumstances, and am so grateful not only for those moments themselves, but for the faith-building quality of those experiences. This was a great review of Lisa’s book — I am putting it on my “read asap” list! 🙂

    1. Hi Wendy,
      It is so complicated, isn’t it? I think because of the fear of the unknown surrounding emotional health, people wanted to pack it away in a neat box and not deal with it. I am thankful for this book and many others that are bringing these topics to the surface and making it an area of transparency! I pray God will heal many hearts through this!!!
      Blessings and smiles,
      Lori

  14. This book sounds so good. By God’ s grace, I’m finally free of fear . . . but abundant peace, not quite there yet. Thanks for this great review! Looking forward to reading Lisa’s book!

    1. Deb,
      I am praising God for setting you free from fear! And I am praying for that abundant peace! May your heart be doing the happy dance as that peace settles deep within!!
      Hugs,
      Lori

  15. What a beautiful post, Lori! I cannot wait to read this book. Peace is an area of my faith the Lord has been working on this year as I battle several health struggles. Amid the chaos, he is showing me how to draw near to Him for peace no matter what is going on. His peace is always accessible, we just have to seek, tap into and ask for it.

    1. Thank you so much for visiting today, Lauren. I have followed your story a bit and have prayed for your health issues. I have weathered quite a few in my lifetime, as well, and the last several months have been a struggle so I completely understand the Lord’s work on that area of faith! Embracing life as it comes and knowing beyond the shadow of a doubt that everything will be okay … somehow … someway, changes our level of peace immensely. I hope you get the chance to read this book soon. It is truly an amazing book. And please know, I will be praying for you – for your healing – and for your peace along this journey.
      Hugs,
      Lori

  16. Everything you said at the beginning of your post resonated with me. I can feel like Charlie Brown sometimes, not knowing what’s wrong, but then realizing it feels like EVERYTHING is wrong. There is no peace in that.

    When I became a new believer, I read Hannah Whithall Smith’s book, The Secret to a Happy Christian’s Life, the words contained within were life changing for me. It looks as though the book you are sharing about here today would have the same life changing, peace creating effect.

    Thanks for sharing!

    1. Hi Karen,
      I will look up that book for sure! It sounds like a good one, too! Thank you so much for visiting. I am so thankful God spoke to your heart through my words! I love your analogy to the Charlie Brown character 🙂 I will be praying for that emotional abundance for you, friend!
      Blessings and smiles,
      Lori

  17. Lori, I love personalizing verses because it helps the truth go from my mind to my heart. But filling ourselves with God’s truth is not a replacement for emotional healing … just a good start. Loved your review. : )

    1. Thanks for visiting, Crystal! And, AMEN! It is just a good start 🙂
      Blessings and smiles,
      Lori

  18. So many great books to read, and this one will definitely be one of them! I’ve heard so many great things about Lisa’s book. I LOVE this: “There is often a false assumption that if we are spiritually healthy we therefore will be or are emotionally healthy.” As if when we are Christians, we should be perfect and not have issues? I love that she addresses these lies. Praying scriptures is probably one of my favorite things to do. Thanks for sharing this today. You’ve got me motivated to go read!

  19. Thanks for the reminders. One of my favorite verses is, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.”

  20. I loved how you had us repeat the scripture in the first person. I do that for myself as well. I had not heard of Lisa’s book but I will definitely be checking it out thanks for sharing.

  21. This sounds like a wonderful book, Lori, thank you for sharing it. I’ve been working on being at peace during situations and it is hard sometimes. Thank you for sharing this encouragement with Thankful Thursdays.

  22. Book sounds great and peace is definitely a hard one for so many to find. Great inspiration here Lori. Thanks for linking up to #ShareWithMe.

  23. This is exactly what I discovered when I went through counseling for depression. First, I always thought I was a bad Christian, or was not praying/reading the Bible/ going to church enough that was causing my emotional upheaval. I learned that is not true one bit. That was the enemy trying to make me believe that working and doing was the only way God would save me. Second, God not only saved my eternal life but He wants me to have an abundant life while on earth. This was a game-changer for me. This is when I finally felt true peace, knowing that in the midst of chaos I can still have peace, God’s peace that passes my understanding. I’m adding this book to my Amazon wish list. Thanks so much for sharing!

    1. Thank you, Samantha, for sharing a bit of your story! Sadly, your story is one many have experienced. I pray they, too, will discover these truths, as well! You will love Lisa’s book. It is rock solid.
      Blessings and smiles,
      Lori