How This Book Was Born

I am writing this book by the riverside. It is a beautiful day — the 26th of July, 2026 — and I am sitting beside quiet waters with my Bible, my heart, and my Teacher, the Holy Spirit. My books do not come until I have a need for them. I always write from my experiences, and then I send these books into the world to bless someone who is walking through the same fire I have walked through. This book is no different.

This very week, attacks and challenges came at me from every direction at once. In my own family, over family land, I was accused of something I never did. Voices were raised. Fingers pointed. I had every right to defend myself, to raise my own voice, to fight my corner. Instead, I answered quietly — “No, I did not touch what you kept” — and then I kept quiet. And in my heart, silently, I prayed for peace.

David knew this exact place. He wrote, “Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war” (Psalm 120:6–7). A man of peace, surrounded by people spoiling for a fight. That was David, and this week it was me. The Word of God instructs us, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18). As far as it depended on me, I chose peace.

So, I stood up in my spirit and made a declaration: this is my week of peace. No matter what storms come, I will face them with peace. Sometimes when a week starts with trouble, it is showing you a sign of what it wants to do — but you can confront it differently. I confronted mine with peace, and I came to the riverside to write this book, at peace, so that you can do the same.

And there, beside the still waters, the Lord showed me the backbone of everything you are about to read: Peace is your birthright. Jesus said, “My peace I give you.” A gift cannot be earned — only received. A birthright cannot be begged for — it belongs to you the moment you are born into the family. No one can fight you over it, and no one can take it from you.

So, stop begging for what you already own. Take it — and take it into any storm, and the storm must obey. Let me be clear from the very first page about how that obedience works: the storm does not bow to you in your own strength, personality, or volume. It bows to the Word of God in your mouth, spoken in the name of Jesus. When Jesus stood in that little boat and said, “Quiet! Be still!” the wind died down and it was completely calm (Mark 4:39) — and that same Word, on the tongue of a child of God who knows their birthright, still commands storms today. “What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways” (Job 22:28).

God’s Word promises: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3). That promise is the foundation of every page that follows. Come with me. Declare your own week of peace. And watch what the God of peace will do.

Bishop Veronica Anusionwu — by the riverside,

26 July 2026