Lately it seems I have been drilling into my children the concept of knowing themselves and believing in themselves. I am trying to eliminate any future hang-ups  they may have which some adults seemingly suffer from today.  When we know and understand ourselves, also when we know and understand our worth, our lives become one of peace and we become better equipped to handle life’s challenges.  These challenges and problems that tend to knock us around would not exist if we really knew ourselves and had peace in our lives.

Let’s think about it for a minute, whenever we feel overwhelmed by any issue that we face, what are some of the things we do…

• Call up our girlfriends so we can have a pity party (I have done it)
• The men may go hangout and have drinks with their boys.
• We lie in bed all day (if we do get a chance)
• Our children (for those who have) may be verbally attacked because we have no time for them. 

If we think seriously for a minute we would come to the realization that we really do not know ourselves. We would understand that these external factors cannot and should not “color” how we respond to our individual situations and we would take immediate control.

Knowing ourselves enables:-

• Peace in our lives
• Increase in self –confidence (whether we want to admit it lack of confidence is a great contributor to how we respond to our environment). Lack of confidence does not allow us to have peace in our lives.
• Total control of our emotions and environment. I have learned that a soft answer does turn away wrath but grievous words make the situation worse. Total control enables sound rational thinking and order (peace) as opposed to chaos.
• Putting aside our ego when we are challenged. Our ego oftentimes do us harm rather than good, our ego causes us to  be re-active (impulsive) rather than pro-active (think before we act). We need to take control of our ego and we will be in control of our lives. 

Let us together inculcate in our lives the habit of being calm and having peace which comes from knowing ourselves. We are children of God and he has given us the perfect example of calmness and peacefulness and also his promise of peace through his son Jesus Christ.” And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. Philippians 4:7. 

We can choose to adopt and mirror Jesus’ life while he was here on earth. He Knew himself, he always demonstrated peace in his daily activities and was always in control.

Peace comes

When we have control we become better people for ourselves and the people we impact daily.  Having our emotions together puts us at a level that many can only dream about; it separates us and sets us apart from the crowd.  I believe that is the best place to be and it will without a doubt create the peace that we need to experience a more effective, satisfied and purpose filled life.

  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.            Phillipians 4:8-9