It can safely be said all of us desire to have inner peace. And it would also be true that most of us think peace is something we must search for. Some will spend much time searching for a peaceful place to live, a peaceful person to marry or the peaceful ecclesia. Yet peace is not so much something we find; it is something we must develop within ourselves.
We tend to believe peace can be found in some place, because we have been to wonderful places where we have felt peaceful. Perhaps we have rested by a beautiful waterfall, or watched the sun set over gentle ocean swells or strolled amid tall trees or stood watching deer graze and hearing birds sing. In such circumstances, we may feel a great sense of peace.
We begin to believe if we were away from certain people, loud noises or the hectic pace of life, we would have peace. But lonely people living in the country and experiencing no distractions still cannot find peace of mind. We are deprived of peace not so much by external circumstances as by tumult from within.
Sin troubles every person
In the Psalms, David tells us, “God looked down from heaven…to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back; they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no not one” (Psa. 53:2-3). These are strong words speaking of our sinful behavior. There are times when the
words are true of every one of us, so true that not one of us can consider himself better than our brother or sister.
We all desire to be free from our sins, just as we desire to have peace in our lives. We can recognize that occasionally we sin, yet we are capable of overlooking our shortcomings without offering others the same benefit.
No peace when we are being critical of others
Human beings have a terrific battle to overcome the habit of getting upset with others, of judging them and of looking for faults in others. With this attitude, we will never find peace. God requires a humble and contrite spirit. We cannot be humble if we exalt ourselves over others, and judging others does not bring peace; it brings strife.
We rightly strive for perfection. But we have the human twist of mind that, when focusing on the ideal, we come to expect it in others but excuse a lack of it in ourselves. If we continue in such an attitude, we will find our ecclesial life is miserable as we are continually upset by what others do and say. Peace, joy and love will fly out the window because judging others has given them wings.
Jesus tells us that he did not come to send peace on earth, but a sword. Living a life in Christ will divide us from others. We will sometimes suffer rejection and abuse because of our beliefs. In such circumstances, peace will come from a godly perspective and a right frame of mind.
Symptoms of inner peace
- A loss of interest in conflict.
- A loss of interest in judging others.
- A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
- A loss of the inclination to worry.
- A desire to enjoy each moment.
- Frequent episodes of appreciation.
- Contented feelings while interacting with others and nature.
- A tendency to let things happen as opposed to making things happen.
- A tendency to think and act with godly spontaneity rather than on fear or on past experience.
- An increased urge to love — and receive love.
- Frequent attacks of smiling!
Peace spreads
Ecclesial life will be greatly enhanced when we practice a peaceful attitude ourselves. Just as little ones are comforted by the peaceful, calming attitude of a mother, others will feel our attitude of peace and soon learn to project it themselves.
Let us avoid getting upset and frustrated with one another. Rather than point out faults, let us encourage and uplift remembering that others change because they choose to change, not because we demand it of them.
It takes patience to have peace, joy and love in our hearts. And it takes patience to see our own inner peace impact others.
Spreading peace is indicated in the words of the Lord: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One