Where Can I Turn for Peace?

Don't they look peaceful? 



It seems like peace is difficult to find these days.  I see in the news that London is burning, Wall Street is making wild swings, our government can't seem to work together for the good of our country.  The last few days have been a bit stressful in my own personal life as well.  I have found today that my mind keeps going back to a scripture I came across recently in my scripture study.  It is found in Phillipians 4:6-13.  In the 6th verse it says, "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  There are times when I feel that peace which passeth all understanding.  I want to always have that in my life.

In the other verses I found a list of things I can do to invite that peace into my own life.  Here they are:

Verse 6 says, "Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."  I found three things in this verse.  First, I need to stop worrying, especially about things that are not in my control.  Secondly, I need to turn to Heavenly Father for help through prayer.  The third thing I should do is to live with gratitude for my blessings (I have so many more blessings than problems, but I focus on the difficulties.  If I put my focus on my blessings, I remember that I have a Father who loves me and will never give me a trial I can't handle).

Verse 8 talks about our thoughts.  It says, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."  I think this means that we need to control our thoughts.  As it says in the Doctrine and Covenants, ". . . let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God . . ." (D&C 121:45) I am a firm believer that our thoughts affect our feelings.  I need to pay more attention to the good things in life and surround myself with uplifting things.

Verse 9 is about the example of the Savior.  If we follow His example we can find peace.  It says, "Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you."  I think there are two parts to this verse.  First, we need to learn of the Savior by going to Church and studying the scriptures.  Secondly, we must do what we have learned.  I think a lot of that would be to serve others, just as the Savior did constantly in His life.

Verse 11 says, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."  I think another way of saying this is bloom where you're planted.  In other words, learn to be happy, whatever your situation.  When I was in college I got very sick my last year.  Keeping up with my work and school responsibilities was very difficult, but I look back on that time as one of my happiest because I was able to turn to the Lord for help and I was blessed.  I had no doubt during that time that I was loved by my Heavenly Father.

Verse 12 is a little hard for me to decipher, but I think it is talking about being humble.  It says, "I know how to be abased and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both  to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."  To me, this says that we need to remember that everything we have is from God.  Nothing we have is through our own doing.  I always think that true humility means to know and understand my relationship to the Lord.

Verse 13 is the last verse of this list.  It says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  This means that nothing can stop us if we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ.  In other words, we have to believe Him that He will do the things He has promised.  I must believe that after all I can do, through His grace, I can become like Him, something that I would never be able to accomplish on my own. 

So, here is that list again (just because I want to be able to look at it again).  I can have peace in my life if I:

• Don't worry too much (especially about things I can't control).
• Go to the Lord in prayer.
• Am grateful.
• Let virtue garnish my thoughts.
• Learn of the Savior and His teachings.
• Serve others.
• Am content.
• Am humble.
• Have faith in Christ, which will strengthen me.

I'm feeling better already!