Unshakable peace

[Michael_Mayo]

I don’t have it yet. But I think God is calling me to it because every time something disturbing happens I am reminded of the words of Jesus, “I have overcome the world.” He never promised to take our crosses from us; just the opposite. But also, “My peace I leave with you.” So why are we so easily disturbed? And how do we reclaim that peace? For me it takes a lot of work, a lot of self reassurance, a lot of prayer.

In good and easy times we can take it all for granted. I tell myself in the hard times that this is the real exercise of faith. And I recall the story of St Francis and “Perfect joy.”

Blessings and peace to all, the peace of Christ “the world cannot give.”

 

[DBT]

I don’t have it yet. But I think God is calling me to it because every time something disturbing happens I am reminded of the words of Jesus, “I have overcome the world.” He never promised to take our crosses from us; just the opposite. But also, “My peace I leave with you.” So why are we so easily disturbed? And how do we reclaim that peace? For me it takes a lot of work, a lot of self reassurance, a lot of prayer.

In good and easy times we can take it all for granted. I tell myself in the hard times that this is the real exercise of faith. And I recall the story of St Francis and “Perfect joy.”

Blessings and peace to all, the peace of Christ “the world cannot give.”

One of my favorite sayings is that “Hell is the contemplation of self.” We are the one’s who squander our peace with all our mental baggage, clingings, worries, what if-ing etc. The solution is simple in theory … but very hard in practice: learning to let go. After all, that’s what detachment is all about. And I truly believe that the “rest” we find in our quiet prayer is the channel in which grace enters us. As St. John of the Cross says, “contemplation is the loving inflow of God.” It’s what fortifies us to do the hard things we must do in order to obtain the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Peace is the most precious gift any contemplative must cherish. For without it, we are not who we think we are.

Dave

 

[Eric_Hyom]

tell myself in the hard times that this is the real exercise of faith. And I recall the story of St Francis and “Perfect joy.”

I have experienced a profound sense of peace that is beyond my understanding, and it happens in times that I should be feeling fearful and worried.

I have been a Street Pastor for just over nine years, we wonder the streets until 4 - 5 am on a Saturday morning. We go our to listen, care and help if we can. On occasions we have intervened in vicious fights between a dozen people.

Angry people will not listen, so the most we can do is walk in the middle of the conflict, put our arms out and try and keep people apart. I am conscious of people behind me, at my side and in front, I know that anyone of them could cause me damage. In these situations I seem to have this profound sense of peace, that is beyond my understanding. It almost seems as if these combatants absorb my peace, and I take their anger like a sponge.

We stay with these people maybe up to half an hour, tempers calm, and we end up with handshakes and hugs. I am 68, and my partners have been ladies in their seventies in these conflicts, they also seem to experience a profound peace. It seems to be a privilege and a blessing that people allow us to wonder in the midst of conflict.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

That is amazing, Eric. Peace can be contagious if it is real.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Eric, it sounds like you and your companions are truly examples of “Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.” That’s awesome.

 

[Eric_Hyom]

Peace can be contagious if it is real.

I think you are right. Before we go out at night, we pray that God will place in our path the people he needs us to see, we pray for the words and actions to spread God’s love in our community. And we go out in the confidence that when two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus, then Jesus walks with us.

If you try and understand this prayer, it may help.

Lord grant me the peace and serenity to accept the things I cannot change.
The courage to change the things I can.
And the wisdom to know the difference.

I have come to understand the first line of the prayer, there are so many things that I cannot change, I can’t change other people or the past. So there are choices, and the prayer is to live in peace and serenity with all the fear and worry.

The only person I can change is me, If I cannot change the conflict around me, then I have to search for the courage to live in peace with this turmoil.

The most important line of the prayer, is the wisdom to know the difference. If I want the circumstances to change that are not within my power to change, it will lead me to worry, fear and possibly depression if things go on too long. So concentrate on changing me.

And then there is this wonderful verse…

Philippians 4, New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

 

[Eric_Hyom]

On occasions we have intervened in vicious fights between a dozen people.

Often in life, the only thing you can see with your eyes, is the worst in people, a bunch of hooligans. I believe we can also search for a spiritual vision, that is not so visible to our eyes.

When we trained to be Street Pastors, we were told, ‘You will never look into the eyes of anyone who does not matter to God’.

We should search for the good in all people, and we should treat them as we would treat Christ.

I look to our Lord. How did Jesus love all his neighbours as he loved himself? The neighbours who condemned him to death, crowned him with thorns and nailed him to the cross. We know that Jesus prayed on the cross forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.

It seems that Jesus loved all his neighbours as he loved himself in an extreme way. It seems that when Jesus looked into the eyes of his neighbours, they all mattered to him.

I journeyed with an angry lad who spent a year in prison, when he came out, he said he wanted a tattoo on his arm, ‘You will never look into the eyes of anyone who does not matter to God’.

I said to him, don’t get the tattoo done unless you can say, everyone matters to me. He has now lived with this tattoo for six months, and he seems to be a changed person.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

Often in life, the only thing you can see with your eyes, is the worst in people, a bunch of hooligans. I believe we can also search for a spiritual vision, that is not so visible to our eyes.

When we trained to be Street Pastors, we were told, ‘You will never look into the eyes of anyone who does not matter to God’.

We should search for the good in all people, and we should treat them as we would treat Christ.

I look to our Lord. How did Jesus love all his neighbours as he loved himself? The neighbours who condemned him to death, crowned him with thorns and nailed him to the cross. We know that Jesus prayed on the cross forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.

It seems that Jesus loved all his neighbours as he loved himself in an extreme way. It seems that when Jesus looked into the eyes of his neighbours, they all mattered to him.

I journeyed with an angry lad who spent a year in prison, when he came out, he said he wanted a tattoo on his arm, ‘You will never look into the eyes of anyone who does not matter to God’.

I said to him, don’t get the tattoo done unless you can say, everyone matters to me. He has now lived with this tattoo for six months, and he seems to be a changed person.

I had the thought the others day: Am I looking through my eyes or the eyes of God? God sees differently than we usually do. In God’s eyes everyone matters, everyone has worth, everyone is loved. Every encounter, even here on the forum, is an opportunity to share love.

 

[Monica4316]

That’s true… I think we are easily disturbed because of lack of trust… I know I could use much more trust

 

[Michael_Mayo]

I was just listening to a little Coldplay:
“No I don’t want to battle from beginning to end
I don’t want a cycle of recycled revenge
I don’t want to follow Death and all of his friends”

How often, even here on the forum, we get drawn into conflict. I am tired of it. Certainly even must be challenged when ever we see it. But so often our perception is colored by our own preferences, prejudices and views. Is it possible to stand up for what we believe and maintain our peace? Certainly it is good to have passion for Christ and his Gospel. Maybe that is the balance that is difficult to maintain: passion and peace. Can we be passionate and still peaceful? I think so.

 

[DBT]

Is it possible to stand up for what we believe and maintain our peace? Can we be passionate and still peaceful? I think so.

Absolutely!
The key is to not get emotionally attached. Speak your piece … then let it go. Thus, we do our part … and let God do His.

Some time ago you had a very nice thread on St. John of the Cross’ purification of the memory. This post addresses his teaching on the purification of our will … detachment from our opinions, preferences, biases etc by not letting the emotional aspect of those thoughts take hold of us. Failure to do so is how we lose our peace.

Dave

 

[Michael_Mayo]

Absolutely!
The key is to not get emotionally attached. Speak your piece … then let it go. Thus, we do our part … and let God do His.

Some time ago you had a very nice thread on St. John of the Cross’ purification of the memory. This post addresses his teaching on the purification of our will … detachment from our opinions, preferences, biases etc by not letting the emotional aspect of those thoughts take hold of us. Failure to do so is how we lose our peace.

Dave

You think you are right on target.

 

[PelagiathePenit]

One of my favorite sayings is that “Hell is the contemplation of self.” We are the one’s who squander our peace with all our mental baggage, clingings, worries, what if-ing etc. The solution is simple in theory … but very hard in practice: learning to let go. After all, that’s what detachment is all about. And I truly believe that the “rest” we find in our quiet prayer is the channel in which grace enters us. As St. John of the Cross says, “contemplation is the loving inflow of God.” It’s what fortifies us to do the hard things we must do in order to obtain the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Peace is the most precious gift any contemplative must cherish. For without it, we are not who we think we are.

Dave

I think you’re right. Learning to let go.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Eric,
Thank you for what you do !

It takes great faith to do what you do. You’re the example of Christ on earth !

Jim

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Michael Mayo

Is it possible to stand up for what we believe and maintain our peace? Certainly it is good to have passion for Christ and his Gospel. Maybe that is the balance that is difficult to maintain: passion and peace. Can we be passionate and still peaceful? I think so.

I don’t know.

Got into a debate with a couple of people on FB last night, over an issue, which only ended up with the person who opened the thread to insult me with vulgarity telling me to shut up.

I got off the computer and didn’t feel good about the debate, even though I know I was right, even to this day.

You posted this and I also wondered about the same question.

Then the words from “The Imitation of Christ,” came to me as I began replying.

It goes;

“How often I have walked away from other men feeling less of a man. This is happens when we speak too much.”

I guess that’s what happened to me as it often dones. I say to much trying to express what I believe and know to be true. I feel like I’d be better to stay away.

I need to follow another saying, " You’re not required to participate in every argument you’re invited to."

Centered In Christ
Jim

 

[Michael_Mayo]

Michael Mayo

I don’t know.

Got into a debate with a couple of people on FB last night, over an issue, which only ended up with the person who opened the thread to insult me with vulgarity telling me to shut up.

I got off the computer and didn’t feel good about the debate, even though I know I was right, even to this day.

You posted this and I also wondered about the same question.

Then the words from “The Imitation of Christ,” came to me as I began replying.

It goes;

“How often I have walked away from other men feeling less of a man. This is happens when we speak too much.”

I guess that’s what happened to me as it often dones. I say to much trying to express what I believe and know to be true. I feel like I’d be better to stay away.

I need to follow another saying, " You’re not required to participate in every argument you’re invited to."

Centered In Christ
Jim

We certainly need to pick our battles more carefully.

It takes time to stay centered in Christ and we often get “carried away”.