A rainy day, a peaceful valley, steaming mountains, and trees dressed in fall colors—the landscape feels like an oil painting with a touch of melancholy.

I used to be a happy, sun-loving person who adored the endless sunny days in Phoenix. But now, I’ve slowly fallen in love with the gloomy, rainy days of the Pacific Northwest. I can’t help but praise the Lord, the ultimate artist, for creating such diverse and breathtaking beauty.

I used to hate setbacks and difficulties in life. But now, the peace God has placed in my heart has transformed how I see the world. I’ve learned to find contentment when things don’t go my way or when the day feels uneventful. Only God’s peace, I’ve discovered, can bring lasting joy to my soul in every season—nothing else compares.

It’s taken a lot of effort to embrace this new, peaceful version of myself, resisting the temptation to return to the “loud and exciting” life I once craved. 

Each time I successfully resist the urge to return to my old ways, a stronger, better version of myself emerges. The daily confirmations I receive from God are what truly sustain me. I don’t just see the firm foundation He’s laid for me—I walk on it, jump on it, run on it, smile on it, cry on it, and rest on it. And I want to stay on it, now and always, forever and more.