Week 2: It Is Well- Finding Peace and Purpose in the Storm
It Is Well – Finding Peace and Purpose in the Storm
In this second episode of the Carried by Grace series, I’m sharing how to find true peace — not when the storm ends, but right in the middle of it.
Here’s a little of what I cover:
- Peace is not the absence of chaos; rather, it is the perspective that God is in control and that He is with you every step of the way.
- In times of turmoil, true peace is found through steadfast trust in God's presence.
- You don’t have to carry anxiety or grief alone — His peace is your anchor.
- Take time to sit with Him, release what’s heavy, and steady your heart in His Word.
- God does not expect us to navigate life's storms in isolation; community and support are vital.
💜 A little behind-the-scenes: We had a few tech hiccups recording this episode (my microphone and headphones gave me a run for my money!). I ended up recording on my iPad — and it almost stole my peace. But I paused, breathed, and chose to live out exactly what this message is about: choosing peace in the middle of life’s unexpected moments.
👉🏽Download your FREE Carried by Grace Companion Journal
Reflect, journal, and rest in His peace as you walk this journey — one grace-filled step at a time.
Transcript
Hello and welcome to the Transformational Teacher podcast.
Speaker A:I am your host, detoya, and this is week two of our Carried by Grace journey.
Speaker A:Last week we talked about the grace to begin again, how starting again doesn't mean starting from scratch.
Speaker A:It means starting from grace.
Speaker A:But what happens when you say yes and the storm still shows up when you begin again and life hits you with disappointments, delays, challenges, trials, grief?
Speaker A:The list could go on.
Speaker A:That is where today's episode comes into place.
Speaker A:It is, well, finding peace in purpose in the storm, because peace is in the absence of problems.
Speaker A:Peace is trusting that God is present right in the middle of them.
Speaker A: John: Speaker A:In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering.
Speaker A:But be courageous, be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy.
Speaker A:I have overcome the world.
Speaker A:My conquest is accomplished, my victory abiding.
Speaker A:So let me take you back to one of the most pivotal seasons of my life.
Speaker A:I had just lost my great grandmother, and she played a vital role in my life.
Speaker A:And at the same time, I was adjusting to a new job, navigating things through ministry and walking through transitions.
Speaker A:I was showing up.
Speaker A:But to be honest with you, I was spiritually drained.
Speaker A:I was burnt out.
Speaker A:I was over it.
Speaker A:I wasn't fully connected.
Speaker A:I didn't understand the storm that I was in.
Speaker A:Peace was not there.
Speaker A:Joy was not there.
Speaker A:The drive to work, it was filled with tears.
Speaker A:But when I would get to work, I would put on that face like all was well.
Speaker A:I would walk in the door and I would do what was needed.
Speaker A:But even in that, I still wasn't happy.
Speaker A:I didn't want to be there, but I knew I had to be there eventually.
Speaker A:I admit it.
Speaker A:I needed help.
Speaker A:This was too much for me to handle on my own.
Speaker A:I had never lost someone so close to me.
Speaker A:And honestly, I didn't know how to deal with it.
Speaker A:And I realized I can't get through this on my own.
Speaker A:This moment shifted everything.
Speaker A:I started to let people in.
Speaker A:I learned to lean more into God and allow him to help me in this season season.
Speaker A:God wants to help us in every season of life.
Speaker A:I began to realize God didn't expect me to carry this alone.
Speaker A:He didn't expect me to do it alone.
Speaker A:In my own strength.
Speaker A:I started to see peace differently, but I started to see it differently from His Word.
Speaker A:I had to shift my perspective.
Speaker A:And again, I had to have people to help me along this journey.
Speaker A:Isaiah 26:3 it says, you will keep imperfect and constant peace.
Speaker A:And the one whose mind is steadfast, that is committed and focused on you in both inclination and character, because he trusts and takes refuge in you with hope and confident expectation.
Speaker A: Then John: Speaker A:My perfect peace I give to you.
Speaker A:Not as the world gives do I give to you.
Speaker A:Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid, but let my perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.
Speaker A:So this lets us know there's a difference between the peace that's in the world and the peace that comes from God.
Speaker A:And we want God's peace to be with us.
Speaker A:And we see that it says that his perfect peace will calm us in every circumstance and give us courage and strength for every challenge.
Speaker A:So regardless of what we're facing, his peace can help us.
Speaker A:His peace can be with us.
Speaker A:Now let's go back to my great grandmother passing away.
Speaker A:The amazing thing was in that same week, that is when I got the job offer that led me to the school that I still teach it today.
Speaker A:That wasn't random, that was God.
Speaker A:That was God's hand already at work.
Speaker A:Because Ephesians 2 and 10 it says, for we are his workmanship, his own masterwork, a work of art created in Christ Jesus, reborn from above, spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used for good works which God prepared for us beforehand, taking paths which he set so that we would walk in them, living the good life which he prearranged and made ready for us.
Speaker A:So God already had it worked out for me and he knew what I needed.
Speaker A:He knew where I needed to be planted at in that season.
Speaker A:So again he used this season that was very challenging for me to refine me.
Speaker A:He surrounded me with support from church family, but then he also placed me where I needed to be.
Speaker A:And that was the school family.
Speaker A:With my school family, they helped me to navigate through some of the most challenging seasons of my life.
Speaker A:This reminded me that I wasn't forgotten that God was right there with me and he was providing me with what I needed.
Speaker A:And in that moment, I needed the people that were at that school.
Speaker A:One of my co teachers became like a grandmother to me.
Speaker A:She spoke life.
Speaker A:When I had nothing left to give, she gave me this sign that still hangs in my home today.
Speaker A:It says, let go and let God.
Speaker A:Those words stuck with me and they still carry me to this day.
Speaker A:Let go and let God have His way.
Speaker A:This wasn't just decoration, it, it was direction for me, it was what I needed.
Speaker A:And God placed her in my life to help me in so many ways.
Speaker A:And grace did what comfort couldn't do.
Speaker A:It carried me.
Speaker A:Now you can be in chaos and still have God's peace.
Speaker A:Why?
Speaker A:Because peace is about perspective.
Speaker A:It's about keeping your mind steadfast on God and in His Word, your pain.
Speaker A:I believe it all has a purpose.
Speaker A:Because we can either allow it to make us bitter or we can allow it to make us better.
Speaker A:Situation we may face in life.
Speaker A:I don't believe God, he causes those situations.
Speaker A:But since we're in that situation and since we are believers and God is there for us, he can turn those situations to work for our good.
Speaker A:He can still get the glory out of those things.
Speaker A:Your storm is shaping you.
Speaker A:You're becoming.
Speaker A:When you allow God to be God in that situation, stay in his word, allow His Word to strengthen you and give you peace in the midst of it.
Speaker A:Peace is not just what calms you, it also matures you.
Speaker A:I think of Isaiah 43:2.
Speaker A:It says, when you pass through waters, I will be with you.
Speaker A:And through the rivers they will not overwhelm you.
Speaker A:When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.
Speaker A:So again, we may go through some difficulties, but they're not going to overtake us.
Speaker A:They're not going to overwhelm us if we walk it out with God.
Speaker A:So maybe you're in a storm right now.
Speaker A:Maybe the healing is taking longer than you thought it would.
Speaker A:You're tired of holding it together.
Speaker A:The grief still lingers.
Speaker A:Challenges you're facing day and day at work and life in general is getting the best of you.
Speaker A:But let me remind you again, you don't have to go through it alone.
Speaker A:You don't have to fake peace.
Speaker A:You can choose it every day.
Speaker A:You can access it.
Speaker A:Because peace is the fruit that grows when you're rooted in God.
Speaker A:When we become believers, the fruit of the Spirit is on the inside of us.
Speaker A:We have to cultivate it.
Speaker A:One way we cultivate it is by spending time in God's presence.
Speaker A:Now, I'm going to be honest with you.
Speaker A:This is something that takes work.
Speaker A:We cannot be passive.
Speaker A:We cannot just allow the enemy to beat us up.
Speaker A:We have to stand up and show the enemy who has the victory.
Speaker A:God has already won the victory for us.
Speaker A:We have to walk it out.
Speaker A:So there will be things that may try to steal your joy, steal your peace, your focus, your confidence.
Speaker A:But every day we get to choose the to anchor ourselves in what God says, we get to allow His Word to anchor us.
Speaker A:We get to go back to what His Word says.
Speaker A:Remember, in the world we will have tribulations, but in God we have peace.
Speaker A:So we have to remember that.
Speaker A:Now I would not sit here and act like I got it all together, that I get it right every day, because I don't.
Speaker A:But I aim for it daily.
Speaker A:And my prayer is that we keep walking this peace journey together.
Speaker A:So let's do this together one grace filled step at a time.
Speaker A:Now in your companion journal for this week there's a few reflection questions.
Speaker A:One is where in my life do I feel unsettled, restless, anxious or afraid?
Speaker A:What storm am I trying to survive that God is actually using to grow me?
Speaker A:What does it as well look like in my life Today I want you to sit with these questions and just ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you.
Speaker A:And as you are answering those questions and Philippians 4, 6, 7, it says do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything, every circumstance and situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, continue to make your specific request known to God.
Speaker A:And the peace of God, that peace which reassures the heart, that peace which transcends all understanding, that peace which stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus is yours.
Speaker A:So allow God's peace to be your peace in every season of life.
Speaker A:Do not allow his word to slip.
Speaker A:Keep his word before you meditate on his word day and night.
Speaker A:It is vital to meditate on the Word of God.
Speaker A:It will help to renew your mindset.
Speaker A:It will help you to navigate throughout those challenging seasons that you may face.
Speaker A:Now again make sure you download your companion journal.
Speaker A:I will put it in the show notes or you can go to thetransformationalteacher.com to download it.
Speaker A:And again, speak peace over your life this week.
Speaker A:Speak it out loud in the midst of those things that may try to rise up against you.
Speaker A:Speak God's word.
Speaker A:Allow his word to anchor you on this week in the weeks to come.
Speaker A:Well, let's pray.
Speaker A:Well, Heavenly Father, we thank you right now.
Speaker A:We thank you Lord, just for who you are.
Speaker A:We thank you Lord God for your peace, Lord God, we thank you regardless of what we are going through.
Speaker A:We thank you Lord God, that your peace is there because your Word is there and your Word gives us strength.
Speaker A:Your Word can help us navigate through any season that we are in.
Speaker A:So we surrender to you, Lord God.
Speaker A:We give those cares.
Speaker A:We give those anxieties completely over to you.
Speaker A:And we ask, Lord God that your perfect peace will be our peace, Lord God, because we trust in you, we keep our mind steadfast on you each and every day.
Speaker A:And we give you honor and we give you glory.
Speaker A:In Jesus name I pray.
Speaker A:Amen.
