Why are people afraid of peace?

[ncjohn]

I have been blessed on occasion, while in a contemplative state, to have had deep experiences of God’s love. And part of those experiences has been the awareness that I was then to make that love known to others, which has been a prime motivator behind my Franciscan journey.

I find though that most people seem to be afraid of people being at peace. When I post here in attempts to try to bring people together and heal divisions, I find more often than not that I am attacked, often by both sides of the question. I heard once that people who try to build a bridge between people will find themselves hated by both sides, and I am unfortunately finding that to be true far too often.

As a result I often find myself speaking the words of Jeremiah from today’s reading
Jeremiah 20:8-9:

The word of the LORD has brought me derision and reproach all the day. I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.

But why is it that people seem so afraid of peace? I think part of it is that many people just have not had a deep experience of God, and thus are holding on to “religion” instead. In my mind, this results in a need to defend their concept of religion at all costs, resulting in attacking anyone who questions it or tries to redirect the focus to God. And in doing so, the peace of those around them is disturbed. Jesus put this very well when he said to the Pharisees that they were not entering the Kingdom and were preventing others from doing so. It seems to be human nature that if we can’t have something we don’t want to see anyone else have it either and will set out to destroy the peace that others may have.

So what do I do? Stop proclaiming that love of God I have been blessed to know? Stop proclaiming the peace that I know is available for the asking if people will listen for the “still, small voice?” Like Jeremiah I sometimes wish I could stop, but I don’t think I could if I wanted to. For I would end up like Jonah, trying to run from God but finding myself spit up on the shore where God wanted me anyway.

Like Moses I keep trying to tell Him to find someone else who can speak better for Him, but He keeps insisting that I just do what I’m asked–to help bring His people out of the bondage they keep themselves in.

Anyone have any suggestions on better ways to help people quiet themselves to listen?

Peace,

 

[jrabs]

ISo what do I do? Stop proclaiming that love of God I have been blessed to know? Stop proclaiming the peace that I know is available for the asking if people will listen for the “still, small voice?” Like Jeremiah I sometimes wish I could stop, but I don’t think I could if I wanted to. For I would end up like Jonah, trying to run from God but finding myself spit up on the shore where God wanted me anyway.

John, if your words have helped but one family or repair one relationship, then you have done God’s work.

Problem is, you may only know the results on judgment day. We have no idea how we have impacted others lives.

You are to do God’s will. If this has been placed on your heart by God, then listen and go forth.

 

[ncjohn]

Thank you Jen.

You’re absolutely right of course, and we only get to see what effect we’ve had if God sees a need for that. I’ve certainly been blessed on occasion to have someone thank me for something that touched them in some way I never would have thought of. And on my better days, when my head doesn’t swell from pride , I’m able to tell them that it was just God sending them a love letter through my keyboard.

I am fortunate to have some people who do recognize what I’m trying to do and give me encouragement, especially on those days when I just feel beat down. Thank you for being one who has done that today.

 

[b_justb]

Why are people afraid of peace?

I don’t think people are afraid of peace, they are afraid of change.

There must be change before there is peace. Peace is the outcome, the reward. Everyone wants the reward. Change is the work, pepole don’t like to work.

 

[MelanieAnne]

Hi,

Adding on to a previous post, besides being afraid of change, people also have a very difficult time in today’s world finding an environment where they can truly experience peace. Speaking only for myself, I find that I can find peace most easily in an atmosphere of silence or near-silence. Silence is hard to find today and in our hyper-stimulated world, many people are profoundly uncomfortable with silence.

Beyond that, I have found that many people have not come to understand the value of peace in their lives. Perhaps each person has to find that value on their own, but I have to say that once found, few will ever doubt the treasure they have found and they will continue to try to find ways to keep it in their life.

Finally, chatting or posting on the internet, while very common these days, is still a somewhat impersonal means of communicating. For many, the “attack” mode is just how they operate on the internet, and they often write things that they would never dream of saying to someone in person. Look at today’s media ~ the more confrontational and sensational the better. Reconciliation and bridge-building is not “dramatic”. Confrontation and anger and sensationalism is. So that is what some people do. It certainly gets attention! When that happens, and you are attacked for your loving peace-building, it says far more about the attacker than it says about you. I hope you will remember that and not take such attacks personally.

Only when people experience and find the value of peace will they seek it out. Until that time, and that time may be individual to each person, we just have to be patient. And pray for them.

 

[leonie]

Another possibility is that people are apprehensive of the type of peace you can only get by compromising your conscience.

I think we’ve all been in situations in which if you go along, there is not dissension. But, if it is an immoral situation, how can you keep quiet?

There is the true internal peace that comes with being in God’s Will , and there is a false peace that comes from not making waves.

 

[ncjohn]

I don’t think people are afraid of peace, they are afraid of change.

There must be change before there is peace. Peace is the outcome, the reward. Everyone wants the reward. Change is the work, pepole don’t like to work.

That could well be.

With change involving uncertainty, there is always a certain amount of “dying” that comes with it.

Of course it takes dying–especially to self–to come to resurrection, and to me that paschal mystery has to be alive each day. Or as the Franciscan rule tells us, conversion must be a daily process.

 

[MelanieAnne]

Hi Leonie,

Agreed. False peace is not peace, and it is often the result of cowardice. I am reminded of a saying I once heard ~ “If you don’t stand up for something, you’re liable to fall for anything.”

We are all called upon to stand up for our beliefs. I find that when I stand up for any belief ~ even secular ones ~ a sense of peace prevails. It’s when I DON’T stand up for good that the disquiet enters in. Sometimes you are called to be the “voice crying in the wilderness”. When you answer that call, you may be attacked by random people, but you can sleep at night.

 

[ncjohn]

Adding on to a previous post, besides being afraid of change, people also have a very difficult time in today’s world finding an environment where they can truly experience peace. Speaking only for myself, I find that I can find peace most easily in an atmosphere of silence or near-silence. Silence is hard to find today and in our hyper-stimulated world, many people are profoundly uncomfortable with silence.

Hi MelanieAnne.

They say that silence is the language of God, and I would agree with that and what you’re saying here. We are such an over-stimulated society that silence does indeed make many, if not most, of us uncomfortable. But I don’t know of any other way to put ourselves into the presence of God than to eliminate the distractions so we can hear the whisper.

Beyond that, I have found that many people have not come to understand the value of peace in their lives. Perhaps each person has to find that value on their own, but I have to say that once found, few will ever doubt the treasure they have found and they will continue to try to find ways to keep it in their life.

Amen to that. The first time the “veil parted” for me was a life-changing experience of glimpsing heaven. Yes I still struggle day to day with my personal failures, and get beat down once in a while. But having had those few glimpses and having actually felt the love of God, there is really nothing that can take away that internal peace. It allows me to know, even during the “dry” times, when God seems to disappear from sight, that it’s really me that has moved off the path and that I just need to refind my direction.

Finally, chatting or posting on the internet, while very common these days, is still a somewhat impersonal means of communicating. For many, the “attack” mode is just how they operate on the internet, and they often write things that they would never dream of saying to someone in person. Look at today’s media ~ the more confrontational and sensational the better. Reconciliation and bridge-building is not “dramatic”. Confrontation and anger and sensationalism is. So that is what some people do. It certainly gets attention! When that happens, and you are attacked for your loving peace-building, it says far more about the attacker than it says about you. I hope you will remember that and not take such attacks personally.

I understand that most of the time. But we all have certain people that are just able to “push our buttons”, and at times, given enough abuse, even the prophets got a little discouraged (ok, maybe more that a bit! ). I’m usually ok again in a short time, as my inner peace can rarely be disrupted for long, but if I don’t catch myself I can quickly lapse into responding in kind and undoing everything I had been trying to accomplish.

Only when people experience and find the value of peace will they seek it out. Until that time, and that time may be individual to each person, we just have to be patient. And pray for them.

Yes, I do that constantly. “Love your enemies and do good to those who persecute you.” I try to pay great attention to that, though I fail miserably some days.

Thanks for your insights!

 

[JLSacred]

The internet is an artificial place. People probably will say more than they would dare say in real life. I don’t think there’s much to be accomplished discussing on the internet, other than intellectual stimulation. I think the interests of humanity and peace are best served in the real world.

 

[ncjohn]

There is the true internal peace that comes with being in God’s Will , and there is a false peace that comes from not making waves.

Yes, I agree with you and MelanieAnne on that.

We can try to have peaceful surroundings, where we won’t be stressed, by simply not making waves. But you are right that the internal peace comes from knowing that you are loved by God and that you are doing your best to accomplish His will as you best perceive it. From doing the right thing even when it’s the hard thing.

And as b_justb noted, that is hard work that a lot of people just don’t want to engage in. And that is fully understandable in some ways if you’ve never experienced true peace yourself and watch people getting attacked for trying to promote it.

Martin Luther King once commented something to the effect that if there isn’t something that you’re willing to die for, you don’t really deserve to be alive. I think that maybe when you find that thing that you’re truly willing to die for that maybe you find the peace that you can’t be quiet about, and become willing to endure the daily little deaths that come with that.

 

[ncjohn]

The internet is an artificial place. People probably will say more than they would dare say in real life. I don’t think there’s much to be accomplished discussing on the internet, other than intellectual stimulation. I think the interests of humanity and peace are best served in the real world.

I think that can be true JL, but isn’t necessarily the case. I’ve had some of the most profound discussions of my life on this and one other internet forum. And I’ve met probably the closest friends–outside my wife–of my life on this very forum.

I tend to think that if people are able to quiet themselves enough to listen they will hear God in whatever medium He presents Himself. And I know I have seen Him present in many on this forum, sometimes in those who are reminding me not to get too full of myself.

Peace,

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

ISo what do I do? Stop proclaiming that love of God I have been blessed to know? Stop proclaiming the peace that I know is available for the asking if people will listen for the “still, small voice?”

No, don’t stop! You never know when a small seed will be planted, even if you won’t know the result until judgement day (as has already been pointed out).

Your message will always be difficult, however, for those who only know a harsh, angry, punishing God, ready to smite us at any second – a God who never whispers, but only shouts, and hits people over the head. Your message of peace is simply incompatible with their view of God. Doesn’t mean you should quit trying, though. St Francis, himself, was often misunderstood.

**Crazy Internet Junkies Society (Mudgie/Junkie Hybrid)
**Carrier of the Angelic Sparkles Sprinkle Bag

 

[blessedstar]

Some people don’t desire peace, they thrive on discord, they find it exciting and find some sort of joy in the hell on earth they create.

Some people have their own definition of peace and it is not the peace that Christ gifts. Their peace consists in being right and having dominion over others, this peace they seek is for the self and not for all concerned therefore it isn’t peace.

Some people are not ready for peace, they have a path to travel before they arrive at peace, perhaps healing is needed in order to forgive and a great deal of time required before past hurts are dulled and forgotten.

I believe that if a person desires peace like you do then you may have to accept that these things stand in the way of peace and even though God freely gifts His peace to all men He doesn’t force peace upon the free will of those who refuse it.

You cannot gift peace to others. Peace is a gift of God. But what you do do is by your inner peace you are a sign for the world of God’s love and this will not fail to be noticed. A heart that truly desires peace and lives in the Peace of Christ is a heart that will be attacked. People attack such a heart because it challenges them in ways that they are not ready or do not wish to be challenged about the very core of themselves.

You must always continue to be the light of peace that you are and never despair. But you cannot control outcomes, nor can you demand people flock to the Peace that you have been so blessed to know.

God has given you a great gift and treated you with great kindness and mercy so don’t grow impatient with those who have not received such a great blessing yet. Be especially kind and merciful.

Leave everything in God’s Hands and you go about carrying on in Jesus’ Peace and let His Peace not let anything disturb your spirit. God’s will presides over all creation and all will fall under it when time comes to an end so that all you will have done for love of God and love of men will not be wasted but will be united to Jesus in His Sufferings and have redemptive value for all humanity.

Your holy desire for peace is like dust without the Cross of Christ that made peace between God and men and between men therefore pray constantly with your life offering your everyday to Jesus united to His Sacrifice in the Holy Eucharist on all the Altars of the World for Peace on Earth. Every little thing in your life is a prayer this way, every time you suffer for peace is a great prayer offered to God.

Do this and your life will become Apostolic and a Living Prayer, you will become a living part of the Gospel and though you may not ever see it this side of life, you will definitely see the other side of life, the great works you have done and the peace you will bring in Christ to many if not millions of people.

A Glorious and Victorious Easter to you in Christ.

In my prayers.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

ncjohn,
the past 4 months or so, the Lord has given me a spirit of peace, so much so, that any form of violence now repulses me.
I use to be able to watch war movies and such, but no more.

I also read a book titled, “Non-Violence,” by Mark Kurlansky. He did a study on non-violence and it’s amazing how not only will ordinary people reject the idea, but governments will see you as a threat. He goes back through history on those who were advocates of non-violence, Jesus, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and some others I don’t recall right now. However, in all cases, these people were seen as dangerous, and eventually killed.

Even at this web-site, on the subject of wars the US is and has been involved in, if you oppose them, you’re attacked as being a non-patriotic and even non-Christian, can you imagine?

The peace of Christ transcends all however. Once you have it, you also begin to see things more clearly and are able to chose good, over evil, which is really the true meaning of freedom.

In The Peace of Christ Jesus
Jim

 

[MelanieAnne]

There is peace and then there is false peace. That is a common thread here, and is also a common thread of life.

I have hesitated it to say it here, but now I will. This just applies to me, not the world, but maybe someone else in the world can benefit from my experience, and so I will offer this up as something they might try: For me, peace most often occurs in the sanctuary of the church building, perhaps because I am removed from “the world” in that setting, and it occurs most profoundly when I take the emphasis of my prayers off of myself and my petty requests, and instead ask for blessings upon others, even people I don’t know. Even total strangers.

This has been suggested to me in the past, but recently I followed the suggestion, with marvelous results.

Why does this happen? Because it is quiet? Because I am in a church? Because I am praying for the benefit of others? I have no idea. But the experience is profound for me and I welcome it. And I recommend it. Our world is full of “ME”, I recommend we pray for “THEM”. Even if we have no idea about the identity of “THEM”.

Bottom line ~ PEACE will be achieved when we pray for THEM

 

[ncjohn]

Your message will always be difficult, however, for those who only know a harsh, angry, punishing God, ready to smite us at any second – a God who never whispers, but only shouts, and hits people over the head. Your message of peace is simply incompatible with their view of God.

You’re absolutely right of course CarolAnn. And Jesus did warn us that if the world hated him, it would hate those who follow him also.

But then of course we get to this point (thank you blessedstar!)

blessedstar:

God has given you a great gift and treated you with great kindness and mercy so don’t grow impatient with those who have not received such a great blessing yet. Be especially kind and merciful.

I must always just be thankful for the gift I have been given, and pray that it can be received by those who have not yet been so blessed. As hard as it is at times, we must, as Jesus told us, bless those who curse us.

As blessedstar also noted, it is God’s gift to give and not mine. The only gift I can give is to show at all times the love and peace that has come from the gift I was given.

JimR-OCDS:

The peace of Christ transcends all however. Once you have it, you also begin to see things more clearly and are able to chose good, over evil, which is really the true meaning of freedom.

I totally agree Jim. Having felt the glory of God one time pretty much leaves one unable to ever go back, or any desire to go back. And you are also right that people of peace will always be considered a threat to the system, if for no other reason than they can’t be controlled because they answer to a higher authority.

 

[blessedstar]

NcJohn, the greatest gift that God has given us is the love to thank Him wrought by the Suffering of Christ which made peace between man and God and between men. Without the Cross we would not know thankfulness.

Your greatest gift is to love and thank God.

Always in my prayers and in my heart and I thank God for you.

 

[ncjohn]

Bottom line ~ PEACE will be achieved when we pray for THEM

Excellent point.

I think that where we find our quiet time with God will vary from person to person. At times mine is sitting quietly before the tabernacle. At other times it might be in a fishing boat by myself, or at the top of a mountain. The important thing is to find that quiet place where it’s just you and God.

Then in moving out of ourselves and concentrating on the welfare of others, we can begin to think and feel with the heart of God. As John the Baptist said, “He must increase; I must decrease.” And He is present in the wounded of all types–the homeless, the hungry, the ill, and all the marginalized, as well as those who just haven’t come to know His peace, for whatever reason.

 

[MelanieAnne]

Father Doug of our Parish, bless his heart, recently asked us to consider the Lords Prayer ~

We raise our hands, and hold the hands of our (often a stranger) neighbors and recite the prayer every Sunday, but do we really MEAN it when we say it? REALLY?? I guess you could say that Father Doug challenged us to live the prayer that we so easily utter. But, in the manner of the subject of this thread, PEACE beckons when we live that prayer.

Do we truly mean it when we say “THY WILL BE DONE?” because do we really want God’s will, or are we more comfortable with what WE WANT? God’s will may not be our own will, but the path to peace often involves conforming our will to God’s.

Do we truly mean it when we say that we “FORGIVE THOSE AS THEY TRESPASS AGAINST US”? Or do we just want our own sins forgiven?

For me, peace, total peace, total love, has occurred in the back of the church sanctuary, praying for everyone else in the building. I didn’t want to say this to anyone, for fear that it sounds like I am boasting, but now I will say it, if only to give others an idea about something they can do that is helpful. The world is full of self-interest and self-aggrandisement, often nauseatingly so. Pray for others, take the focus off yourself. Do it for the simple joy of doing it. Trust me, it will be effective.

Love, Melanie