I recently came in contact with a family whose story has left a deep impression on me.

Two young men, cousins who worked for a family member, were kidnapped while on duty in the field. One was eventually rescued from the hands of the bandits. The other has yet to return. We are still trusting God for his safe return.

But what has stayed with me, beyond the tragedy itself, is the remarkable peace I have encountered in this family.

Throughout my repeated interactions with them, I have seen a composure that I honestly wonder whether I could demonstrate if the roles were reversed. God forbid that anyone should experience such a thing. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

 

And yet, in the midst of such heartache, uncertainty and grief, there is a remarkable quietness.

It has made me reflect deeply on one truth: the things of this world are indeed passing away.

The Bible says:

"For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." — 1 Timothy 6:7 (NKJV).

It also reminds me of Job. After losing virtually everything, including his children, he worshipped God and declared:

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." — Job 1:21 (NKJV).

 

Job could worship because, beyond everything he possessed, God was the One who mattered most.

Perhaps one of the greatest secrets of peace is learning to hold the things of this world with an open hand.

Possessions, positions, relationships, opportunities, responsibilities, titles and influence. They are all passing away. We are stewards, not permanent owners.

 

Sometimes, what robs us of peace is the painfully tight grip we have on these things. We become so attached to certain possessions, positions and opportunities that we are willing to do and undo to retain them. And when life takes them away, we struggle to find our way past the loss.

Am I negating the place of faith, prayer or the responsibility to protect what God has entrusted to us? Absolutely not.

But I am beginning to appreciate that loving something deeply and being so attached to it that its loss destroys our peace are two different things.

 

Today is ours. Maximise it. Give your best as though tomorrow may never come. Love deeply, serve faithfully and pursue your purpose.

And if tomorrow comes, receive it with gratitude and utter pleasure, like a gift you were not certain you would receive.

Hold everything with an open hand.

 

This family's experience has left me with a silent prayer to God: Lord, bring me to that place where nothing in this world matters more than You. Where I can receive with gratitude, give with generosity and surrender with faith.

It is a journey. I am still learning. I hope to get there.

 

And I hope you would too.

 

 

 

A LITTLE ABOUT ME

I am Dr Anthonia Soje, a physician, hospital administrator, entrepreneur, psychotrauma-informed therapist, transformational life coach and strategist, Christian marriage and sexuality coach, educator, author, and speaker.

My work sits at the intersection of medicine, psychology, healing, relationships, faith, personal growth, and intentional living.

I am deeply interested in helping people understand themselves, heal what needs healing, gain clarity about their lives, and become more intentional about the lives they are building.

And beyond all the professional titles, I am simply a wife, a mother, and a Christian—still learning, growing, and becoming.

This is the lens through which I write.