We’ll do just about anything to feel at peace, won’t we?

We buy books we never read. We sign up for meditation apps we never open. We hire life coaches who make us repeat affirmations into the mirror like we’re auditioning for a toothpaste commercial.

Peace of mind is the ultimate luxury item. And like most luxury items, people will try to get it any way they can—cash, credit, or sheer denial.

We chase peace like it’s a runaway balloon, always just out of reach. But we chase it nonetheless. Why? Because when you don’t have peace, even the best parts of life feel itchy. And when you do have peace, even the chaos quiets down.

Let’s look at a couple of peace-hunters, shall we?

Meet James: The Gym Rat with a Secret

James was a high-powered real estate broker. He drove a Tesla, wore designer shoes, and never missed a networking brunch. But inside, he was a pressure cooker. He clenched his jaw so hard at night, his dentist named a vacation home after him.

To cope, James went all in on fitness. We’re talking 5 a.m. CrossFit, meal prepping, and protein shakes that tasted like wet cardboard. He told himself it was for health, but deep down, it was the only place he felt in control.

Eventually, between bench presses and burpees, James realized that he didn’t need tighter abs—he needed to loosen his grip on perfection. Peace didn’t come from pushing harder. It came from releasing what he couldn’t control. One day, he finally sat down and talked to a counselor—not a trainer—and discovered the art of breathing. Not just the inhale-exhale kind, but the kind that let him exhale guilt, shame, and the fear of disappointing others.

Turns out, peace was hiding in a quiet room, not a weight room.

Then There’s Monica: The Chronic People-Pleaser Turned Boundary Ninja

Monica was the kind of person who said “yes” before the question was finished. Bake sale? Sure. Last-minute report? Absolutely. Babysit your tarantula? You bet!

She was beloved, indispensable, and utterly exhausted.

Her mind raced every night with replayed conversations, second-guessing, and imaginary arguments where she finally told people what she should have said.

Then one day, she snapped—not loudly, but inwardly. She realized she had handed out slices of her peace like free samples at Costco.

So, she started small. “No, I can’t make it.” “Sorry, that doesn’t work for me.” “I’m not available this weekend.” Each sentence felt like doing pushups with her throat muscles, but she kept at it.

Now? Monica’s calendar is lighter. Her heart is freer. And her peace? Hard-won, but glorious.

What About You?

Maybe your peace looks like silence. Or a long walk. Or finally forgiving yourself for the thing you still punish yourself for in the quiet hours. The methods vary. But peace has a pattern—it doesn’t usually come through grasping. It comes through letting go.

And sometimes, the deepest peace isn’t found in doing more. It’s found in trusting more.

“You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You.”
— Isaiah 26:3 (CSB)

You gave me roots, you gave me wings,
Taught me joy in little things.
With every hug, each whispered prayer,
You showed me love beyond compare.

Your hands have soothed, your heart has led,
You gave me strength with words unsaid.
On this day, I hope you see—
The world is better ’cause of thee.

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also praises her.
— Proverbs 31:28 (CSB)

Happy Mother’s Day. 💐

(“The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit…” —Proverbs 21:5, CSB)

Before we buy something, we instinctively weigh its value to us—not just its price. For instance, we may happily spend an extra $50 on stylish, well-made shoes but balk at paying $2 more for a basic turkey sandwich. Why? Because we expect the shoes to last, serve multiple purposes, and maybe even enhance our image. The sandwich? It’s gone in ten minutes.

Whether we realize it or not, we’re considering return on investment (ROI) every time we make a purchase. We ask:

• Is the benefit worth the cost?
• How long will the value last?
• Will this improve my life or image in a meaningful way?

These same principles should apply to how we invest our money.

When evaluating your investments—whether in a business, a stock, or a policy—ask yourself:

• What is the real value I’m gaining here?
• What’s my net return, after factoring in fees, volatility, and other expenses?

If an investment returns 12% but you lose 7% to market swings, fees, or other costs, your real return is only 5%. That 5% might be fine—or it might not be enough for your goals.

Take time to review your portfolio. You may decide it’s time to shift some or all of your assets into accounts that don’t lose value when the market does. That way, your net return gets much closer to your gross—and your wealth becomes more secure in the long run.

As Proverbs reminds us,

“The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit.”
– Proverbs 21:5

Diligence in stewarding your resources isn’t just smart—it’s wise. And it honors the One who entrusted you with them.

David once wrote in the Psalms, “When I observe your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you set in place, what is a human being that you remember him?” (Psalm 8:3-4, CSB). His heart, like mine, couldn’t help but cry out in wonder.

There’s something about a bright, sunny day—especially when the sky is a clear, uninterrupted blue. It lifts the spirit. No wonder summer’s packed with outdoor events and adventures. The light seems to carry joy with it. I feel more alive, more energized, when I’m soaking in a few rays. It’s as if creation itself is inviting us to come out and play.

Of course, not everyone’s a summer person. Maybe your soul lights up at the first snowfall, or you savor the crispness of autumn air. Whether you love skiing in winter or hiking in spring, one thing’s for sure—God made every season for a reason.

Today, I’m choosing to celebrate the Creator who makes everything beautiful in its time. Some blessings shine like the noonday sun—clear, bright, and unmistakable. Others are like stars on a cloudy night—you have to wait, look closer, and trust they’re there even when you can’t see them right away.

But in every season, in every circumstance, God is still working. Still creating. Still in control.

So take heart. Keep acting in faith. And trust in the One who paints the skies and holds the seasons in His hands.

“He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts…”
— Ecclesiastes 3:11 (CSB)