Only 5 letters in the word “peace” yet it can be so elusive, can’t it? How and where do we find peace especially in today’s climate? For many this is extremely difficult.
And peace doesn’t mean your life is perfect without conflict or hardships; it means having peace DESPITE the presence of such difficulties. Is there a way to live “in peace” even when life isn’t so rosy?
Faith is the answer. Having faith in God, believing in the promises of Jesus and coming to know Him personally are the ways to find, have and hold on to peace, even when everything around you is falling apart. To keep it, to strengthen it, to deepen it and gain greater understanding of it, we must be active in it – do the work, not just think about it. We must exercise our spiritual muscles in order to have strong faith. “Saying” we have it isn’t enough.
The definition of work is “activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result”. I have found that in order to have peace and hang on to it, requires daily practices of prayer, reading scripture and reflecting on it. There are so many aids which can help you achieve this and I hope you will give it a try if you are struggling to find peace.
Don’t get me wrong; I don’t live in a permanent state of bliss by any means, nor do I live in a bubble! But, if I stick to my daily practices, peace isn’t far away when hardships come knocking.
I begin my day with an application called “Laudete”. It’s a free app with the readings for each day and 3 different reflections on the meaning of the scriptures as well as additional items like a video reflection and Saint of the Day. By spending the first moments of the day with my coffee and the scriptures it puts me on the right path setting me up for the day. There are other resources like this, websites, faith-based magazine’s, etc.
There are other ways we can work at finding peace including going for walks, especially at the beach or wherever your heart is at ease; listening to soothing music; talking to or confiding in a friend or prayer partner; attending church or being part of a supportive community.
I didn’t arrive at this all at once. It’s been a journey beginning with a Mother’s prayer group back in the early 90s. It has grown through fellowship, community and church. Prayer has been the central theme of it all. At the very least, I would encourage you to pray, pray, pray!
When you are part of a community of prayerful people, they can pray for you when you find it difficult to pray.
None of us get through this life’s journey alone. If you are not in a community, I encourage you to find one. Presently, during these times of pandemic you can still be in a community via the wonders of modern
technology. We can use it to our advantage to support and uphold one another so we can have some sense of peace during these times of crises.
I am so grateful for each person who shared their faith and themselves with me along this journey which enabled me to grow especially in the areas of faith and trust. These days, I am less
likely to overreact when adversity comes knocking and can stop to pray and discern what the best course of action is or to try to remain peaceful. If you don’t have one, I encourage you to find a spiritual director who can accompany you on your journey too and help you to find peace amongst the turmoil.
How do you stay peaceful when you are in troubled waters?
May God bless you, fill you with His peace and hold you in the palm of His hand.
Peace & blessings,
Linda