October 21, 2019

Weekly Reflection – Inner Peace in the Midst of Outer Turmoil

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

This morning I broke my car. I hit a curb in the dark during a thunderstorm and blew the front right tire. The car is being checked out as I type, but the emotional “Grrr!” has yet to abate, which causes me to consider how to maintain inner peace in the midst of outer turmoil.

Jesus, in one of his last statements (John 14:27), said that he would leave us peace. But he said it would not be peace as the world sees it. Sometime later, the Apostle Paul wrote about how we carry the treasure of the light of God within us, in jars of clay (II Corinthians 4:7). The point is that the physical world and body, the jar of clay, is not to be our focus. Rather, we are to “Rejoice in the Lord always…” (Philippians 4:4) and “not be anxious” because the light we carry inside is greater than any turmoil we may experience outwardly.

So how do we do this? Here are some textbook answers:

1. Believe and trust in the Lord. God is good…ALL the time!
2. Act according to his Word. Follow the law of love. Love will come back to you.
3. Seek some time for silence. Take a deep breath and allow the anxiety to subside.

I have heard it said that one could experience great pain while not seeming to suffer. The pain is real, but our hope is greater.

Think on that this week. How do you maintain inner peace during times of outer turmoil? Send me an email with your answer. I look forward to hearing from you.

Read the Chaplain’s reflection, Brilliant Autumn Leaves