Three Things Learned: Searching for and Maintaining Peace

Composed by: Br. Dominic

Do you find yourself anxious? Are you worried about the uncertainties of the future? Are you troubled by the past? Is there something which you desire, that draws your attention and consumes your thought?

Often times, I do.

"Our wanting must be always be caring, peaceful, patient, detached and abandoned to God." p53.

1. There is value in the manner in which we conduct our wanting, waiting, wishing, hoping, and working.  On one end, we can choose to get worked up in the process or begin to move with confidence in God and not ourselves. The author refers to the ideas and reflections of Lorenzo Scupoli, found in the spiritual masterpiece, Spiritual Combat. Whether those desires come from ourselves or from the Lord, we are inspired to want for more. At times, that feeling of want can be overwhelming, but God reminds us that He will always provide!

On several occasions, I find my heart in a state of persistent waiting and wishing, to the point of emotional and spiritual exhaustion, hoping and praying that God provides. Although I feel fatigued and weary, scripture reminds me to remain with the Lord. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Mt 11:28-30).

In the manner that we conduct our work, I am reminded that we who labor, do so in the name of the Father. We can choose to dedicate our words and actions to God as an act of love. The smallest task, when given to God, takes on new meaning. In the end, we can choose the disposition of our hearts, finding and maintaining the peace of God in a troubled and hurting world.

"The measure of Divine Providence acting on us is the degree of confidence that we have in it.”
St. Francis de Sales.

2. I found the Lord asking me to trust Him in a deeper way, not being overcome by fear of losing control but rather being confident in His providence. Despite being in want of material things and virtues which I lack, God has and always will provide in all my necessity. He gives me more than what I can ever want and ever need and He gives only what is beneficial for our salvation. Out of His goodness, He is able to use both the good and the bad in order to bring me closer to him.

“It is not so much a question of our making superhuman efforts to completely eliminate our imperfections and our sins, but to recapture our peace when we have fallen into sin or have been troubled by the experience of our imperfections, and to avoid sadness and discouragement.. for it is not by our own efforts that we succeed in liberating ourselves from sin; it is only the grace of God which attains this end” (p.57-58).

In approaching stressful circumstances, occasions of sin, and moments of fear and doubt, I found that my focus was centered on myself and not the end, which is God. I'm more anxious if I let my mind wander, asking the "what ifs" and always thinking and preparing for the worst-case scenario. When it came to surrendering to God the things in life that were out of my control, I found it easy. (It just made sense, leaving big things for the Big Guy to carry). But in areas of my life where I did have control, I found that I have been managing them myself, not wanting input from anyone. I hope to seek direction from the Lord and to orient specific aspects of my life that are in my influence (e.g. praying for and maintaining holy friendships). In moments of sin and temptation, I would lose all peace. It’s easy to feel frustrated and defeated, and I would normally need to take time to regain my thoughts and composure.

3. By the grace of God, we can receive and maintain peace, even in difficult and trying times. In all things the things we experience, whether perceived as good or bad, we are reminded that God uses all to show us that He is ultimately in control. Through it all, we are left with an open invitation to trust and live confidently in God's love and goodness.

"The more we are dependent on Him, the more our souls acquire grandeur, beauty and glory, so much so that we can heartily glory in our infirmities. The greater our infirmities, the greater too, our joy and happiness, because our dependence on God becomes that much more necessary" (p.108).

Source:
Searching for and Maintaining Peace
Written by: Father Jacques Philippe