The Pursuit of Peace | Radio Podcast | Joyce Meyer

Welcome to Enjoying Everyday Life with New York Times bestselling author Joyce Meyer. Today, Joyce dives into her series, Pursuing What Matters Most, focusing on the importance of nurturing a personal relationship with God. This connection sets the foundation for every part of our lives, making it essential to prioritize seeking Him. Spending time in God’s Word is key, as it helps us understand His teachings and apply them to our daily lives. Here’s Joyce with today’s message:

“How many things are you allowing to bring you to tears, cause you sleepless nights, or fill you with depression and discouragement? These troubles often have no solution until we make peace with ourselves. So, who cares who dislikes you if you like yourself? You spend more time with yourself than with anyone else. Remember, God not only loves you; He genuinely likes you! He delights in being with you, talking with you, and enjoying life alongside you—as long as it’s wholesome!

Accept yourself, even with your weaknesses. I can’t tell you the relief I felt when I finally allowed myself to be okay with having some flaws. I don’t mean indulging in sin, but acknowledging imperfections. For example, I’m a talker, and my mouth still gets me in trouble from time to time. I’ve come a long way but haven’t reached perfection—and I’m learning to be okay with that.

Take a moment to make peace with yourself. Identify what you don’t like about yourself, then hand it over to God. Let Him work in you if He chooses to, but decide to accept yourself just as you are. Don’t waste another day without peace. For instance, if you carry a few extra pounds and just can’t seem to lose them, don’t let it rob your joy. Focus on healthy eating instead of “dieting,” and you might even find yourself losing weight naturally.

Peace is essential—in our relationship with God, with ourselves, and with others. To maintain peace with others, be stingy with criticism, keep your opinions to yourself, and don’t try to control people. Often, when people ask for your opinion, they simply want validation, not judgment. If we keep these boundaries, our peace won’t be easily disrupted by others.

Finally, let’s talk about finding peace amid life’s storms. Storms come in all sizes and durations, often without warning. Our job isn’t to stop them but to hold on to our peace through them. Learning to stay calm in the face of adversity makes us stronger and leaves the enemy unsure of what to do. Psalm 34:14 reminds us to ‘turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.’ God calls us to pursue peace actively, especially in tough times, and with His help, we can.”