Peace In All Things

By: Vivy Fomengia

When I hear the word peace, I remember who the Prince of Peace is, Jesus. I reflect on the joy that fills my heart when I heed the Holy Spirit’s instruction. I ponder the calmness that I experience during hardship. With exceptional gratitude, I consider walking into my home, a physical space where no distress lingers. I tend to get lost in my thoughts, so when my inner peace is disrupted, I experience external anguish through sickness, pain, and restless nights. “Anything that costs you your peace is too expensive.” A mandate that I abide by as this beautiful truth fosters my desire to do all that I can to protect the glorious gift of divine peace. 

One of the most memorable experiences related to peace is when I quit my first full-time job shortly after graduating with an MBA from Hampton University. Once I left this company, I endeavored on about ten different job interviews and did not receive one offer in return. I was distraught and felt rejected. Unexpectedly, I was positioned to engage in conversation with the president of a consulting firm. Following our enriching dialogue, God moved on his heart to extend a job offer to me without a formal interview. Although I was overwhelmed with gratitude, I vacillated with if this was God or the enemy taking advantage of the desperation I felt in securing stable employment. 

​I contemplated the health benefits, the potential for professional growth, the salary, the position change, the new company culture, and the like. As I prayerfully considered this gracious offer, there were no red flags in my spirit or anything that contradicted God’s word. Thankfully, my spiritual mentors quickly reminded me that my fervent prayer had been for God to shut ALL doors that were not for me and open only the ONE door from Him. That was when I knew I could accept the job offer. God had answered my prayer. There were weeks when I worked long hours, but I still felt I belonged there. About 1.5 years later, I sensed a significant shift in my peace, and I quit. Within the next year, I was presented with the opportunity to return, and I did.

During each juncture of the journey, ruminating the job, accepting the job, working at the job, leaving the job, and returning to the position, I prayed.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-‬7 (NIV)

I have made long-lasting friendships, been given exceptional support as a first-time mom, and received tremendous accolades for my performance while at the firm. As I take inventory of some of the highlights: peace that surpasses all understanding is evidence that good fruits have been birthed from my connection with this firm. 

Valerie Fomengia, aka Vivy, leverages her personal financial experiences and her passion to educate others as the basis to help African Americans become financially aware.  She is a government contractor by day, financial coach by night, and mom to a toddler 24/7. Vivy also loves to sleep, travel, exercise, binge watch Netflix, and sob her heart out to authentic Christian worship music. Connect with Vivy via her Instagram account @vivymotivates or her website!

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