My cousin’s little boy casually mentioned to his grandmother that he and his friend planned to sell newspapers. She figured they were pretending, so she let the comment pass.
She later discovered the twosome had picked up free newspapers in the neighbors’ driveways, carried them to the front door and tried to sell them for a dime each.
In my day, this activity would’ve been met with my mom declaring, “You kids are driving me crazy!”
Sometimes it seems life can be “driving us crazy.” With the coronavirus, turmoil related to political disagreements and a belabored economy, it’s hard to keep our peace of mind.
But where does peace come from? Why do some folks have an aura of calmness, while others seem frazzled?
First, peacefulness comes from understanding what’s in our control and what isn’t.
Some people can be thrust into a violent storm and remain calm, because they know the limits of their own power. Acting frantically like Chicken Little, who thought the sky was falling, doesn’t help the situation.
One person can be stricken with cancer and forge ahead, remaining at peace, while another may fall apart emotionally with the same diagnosis.
My brother-in-law is struggling with Parkinson’s, a physically devastating disease. I recall him saying that he couldn’t control the effects of the illness, but could choose his attitude toward it.
He’s dwelling on the blessings in his life, rather than focusing on the physical problems.
Second, trusting in God’s providence helps us handle problems without sinking into despair.
Christ predicted his death on the cross, but met his fate courageously. Right before heading to the garden, where he’d be arrested, he told his friends, “Peace I leave with you, my own peace I give to you; a peace the world cannot give.’
God’s peace can be experienced even when the world seems to be falling apart. Even during natural disasters, wars and a pandemic.
Christ also said, “Let not your hearts be troubled or afraid.” Once he was crucified, however, his friends ignored that advice and locked themselves away, fearful of suffering the same fate.
We pay the price of troubled hearts, when we forget God has a plan for us. When we buffer ourselves against the possibility of any suffering.
Unfortunately, even if we have a good marriage, solid health and a fulfilling job, the wolf will eventually show up at our door.
Our job may fizzle out, our health may crumble and our loved ones may die. Peace of heart comes from surrendering our will to God, even when it’s terribly hard.
Finally, peace comes from the habit of prayer. Christ ministered to huge crowds, but would also escape to a secluded spot for hours of prayer.
Praying in silence draws us into God’s presence — and the closer we are to God, the more we discover peace, because God is love — and love heals.
2020 was a year that threatened to drive us crazy. Let’s hope 2021 isn’t quite as challenging. Let’s remember that dwelling in God’s peace gives us the strength to face whatever comes.
Lorraine’s email address is lorrainevmurray@yahoo.com.
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