From Perseverance to Peace
Finding Peace
In the world of wellness, we talk a lot about rest, balance, and self-care routines. But over the past year, I’ve learned that real peace doesn’t just come from bubble baths and spa days — it comes from the inside out. My faith, and learning to live by the fruit of the Spirit, has been the deepest form of self-care I’ve ever practiced.
The Spark of Inspiration
The idea for this post came back in January, when my website was still in the early stages of design.
As I mentioned in my introduction, God is my number one priority. Over the last year — one of the most difficult years of my life — I’ve had to trust Him deeply.
A Year of Challenge and Growth
Why was it so difficult? Because I went through divorce #2.
And I can tell you from experience: divorce #1 is painful, but divorce #2 cuts even deeper.
In that heartbreak, I’ve clung to Romans 8:28:
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (NLT)
2024 was truly the best of times and the worst of times. The lessons I’ve learned have shaped me into a stronger, better version of myself.
My Calling for This Blog
As I prayed and reflected on what this blog should be, God made it clear:
He wants me to share my journey of learning about and living out the fruit of the Spirit —
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self-control
(Galatians 5:22–23)
My Word for the Year
This focus also aligns with my word for the year: peace.
Last year’s word was perseverance, and persevere I did. I’ve been choosing one guiding word each year for the past decade, inspired by the book One Word by Dan Britton, Jimmy Page, and Jon Gordon — a practice that has deeply impacted my life.
I knew in 2024 that my word for 2025 would be peace. I wanted it last year, but going through a painful divorce is anything but peaceful.
Perseverance was the word I needed then to walk through devastation and uncertainty. Now, I’m seeking peace — not the absence of challenges or fears, but a steady calm in the middle of them.
Sharing the Good and the Messy
I believe God is leading me to share the good and the messy parts of my life.
Over the last few months, I’ve been learning how to live by the fruit of the Spirit — imperfectly, but with intention. It isn’t easy, and I know I’m not alone in that struggle.
My faith over the past three years has become the foundation of my life. Through this blog, I want to share what that journey has looked like for me, in hopes that it will encourage others — especially when life gets hard and messy.
Self-Care Takeaways from My Journey
Care for your spirit first.
True peace starts from within. Ground yourself daily in prayer, scripture, or quiet reflection before tending to external self-care.Choose a guiding word for the year.
Let one word — like peace or perseverance — shape your mindset and decisions. It becomes a compass in both good and hard seasons.Live by the fruit of the Spirit.
Use love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as a checklist for how you approach each day.Redefine self-care beyond the surface.
Spa days and rest are wonderful, but lasting wellness also means setting boundaries, practicing forgiveness, and creating space for emotional healing.
Final Thought
If this post encouraged you, I’d love for you to follow along as I share more about my journey of faith and living out the fruit of the Spirit. You’re not alone in your hard seasons — let’s walk this road together.