One of my favorite movies when I was a teenager was “Miss
Congeniality.” Perhaps it was the fact that I was in a type of pageant myself in
high school, so I enjoyed laughing at myself. Who doesn’t love silly moments
like this? "World Peace"
You have to admit it’s funny. I mean, it’s easy to simply
say you wish for world peace without
doing much about it. (By the way, I think that women in certain pageants do a
lot of good for the world, so please don’t think that I have anything against
them!) This got me thinking recently, though, about how any talk of peace has
become somewhat of a joke in our troubled world. For many, it feels unattainable,
or – at very best – inconsistent.
Our Troubled World
I do understand. I have seen and experienced some pretty
bitter parts of life. I mourn whenever I read current local and national news. I
still feel like throwing up every time I think about recent shootings in
Florida, particularly because I’m a teacher and feel responsible for the safety
of kids (especially at school). I have something close to a heart attack every
time I hear an ambulance siren or life flights heading to the hospital near my
house (likely because I have a bit of PTSD from my husband having a grand maul
seizure and riding in the ambulance to find a giant tumor in his brain). I
often cry when I see homeless people slumped down on the street or think of the
many women and children stuck in human trafficking situations. And let’s not
even get started with everything going on OUTSIDE of our country. No one
debates the fact that plenty of sorrow and anguish exist in our world.
For some, being in the middle of this bitterness – death, loss,
violence, sickness, pain, poverty, depression, anxiety, and other adversities –
feels like being stuck in a large dirt hole that’s just deep and slippery
enough that no amount of effort with digging in fingernails to pull yourself
out seems to work. Yet, it’s just high enough that you can still see people
happily walking around the hole, seemingly unaware or uncaring that there’s
anything in front of them at all. You cry out for help as loud as you possibly
can, but your voice doesn’t seem to work. All that comes out is a pitiful
cough. You try throwing rocks to get someone’s attention, digging in your feet
to climb out, yelling again and again, and all it seems to do is make the mud
below you sink even deeper. All day and night this continues until you
hopelessly give up, bury yourself in the dirt, and go to sleep. Sadly, this
happens in a more literal way for some when they take their own lives to
relieve some of the pain they feel is inescapable. I know these thoughts.
Solving the Problems
We all do our best to avoid this hole and to crawl out when
we are there, sometimes in healthier ways than others. Each action, as I’ve
discovered, either draws in more light into our bodies, spirits, and the world
around us; or it diminishes the light, giving a counterfeit or temporary dose
of dopamine and other “feel good” chemicals in our brain to make us think it’s
solving our problems – at least for a little while – but actually leaves us
feeling more empty and lonely after the chemical wears out.
Some good and healthy activities that bring in more light
and peace:
· Exercise
· Scripture Study
· Healthy eating
· Meditation
· Uplifting music
· Church attendance & other uplifting meetings
· Healthy amount of sleep
· Temple attendance
· Some medications
· Reading
· Drinking plenty of water
· Selfless service to others
· Ways we try to bring peace to the world: voting, donating, signing petitions, standing up for what we believe, defending, sharing knowledge, running for office, etc.
You cannot do one physical activity without lifting your
spirit, and you cannot do one of these spiritually-uplifting activities without
strengthening your body. Though difficult (and sometimes impossible to do all consistently),
I do not see any of these things as anything but a “recipe for peace and joy.” They
are not a way for us to feel guilty, hindered, or shamed… but each action is an
opportunity for us to take a closer step towards God and feel a “peace that
passes understanding.”
Satan also loves to mimic many of these steps with counterfeit
or temporary thrills that are often more quick, easy, and appealing (though are
proven to be mind-numbing and detrimental to overall health and well-being):
· Over-sleeping
· Alcoholism
· Over-eating
· Negative media
· Other addictions and over-indulgences, including “good” things (spending too much time or stress on anything that creates imbalance in your life)
When We Cannot Do It - My Personal Experience
Here’s the tricky part that I have found in my own life. All
of these “checklist items” that definitely help are easier said than
done. I fall short. I still stumble and fall. Hard times still hit as hard as a
boulder over the head, and I feel quite helpless. Sometimes I cannot do it all.
And as much as I tell my 8th graders to NEVER think their actions
cannot make a difference, there’s a small piece of me that doesn’t
full-heartedly believe that. It is so, so, so important for us to do “small and
simple things” to offer on our own personal altar… but there is still so much
more that cannot be done by us alone.
I remember a time in my innocent youth when I first learned
about human trafficking. I locked myself in my closet and literally wept
uncontrollably for HOURS. How could the Lord let something so awful happen? Why
does He not use His ultimate power to strike hard and free these people? Why is
there so much bad in the world when I know God loves every single one of His
children? Why does so much dark exist? I felt completely helpless and hopeless
because it was something neither I nor any doctor, scientist, psychologist, or
health-expert could solve. It was one of those turning points in my life, what
psychologists would call a cognitive dissonance or disequilibrium, when my
usual routine for finding “inner peace” was thrown off. Nothing was fitting the
way I originally had organized in my brain. I believe this happens to everyone
at some point in life – oftentimes more than once – and this was one of my
first exposures to this feeling. I call it a turning point because where we
decide to go in response to this confusing crossroads usually makes a big
impact in our lives.
I did one of the only things I knew how to do when feeling
too feeble and weak for anything else – I prayed. I prayed for the people in
captivity. I prayed for all the people in the world who felt pain and
loneliness. I repented of my ingratitude for my own luxuries and my weaknesses.
I prayed for help in my own life. I prayed for greater peace and understanding
of why these things in the world had to be. I told the Lord that I was okay to
not know all the answers immediately, but that I would appreciate enough peace
to pull me out of my current rut.
Almost immediately, a calm came upon me that was so distinct
and different from what I felt before that I cannot deny its reality. I saw
with what I call my “spiritual eyes” the most strong, loving, and compassionate
face. His eyes were wet from crying, but also had a reassuring smile. As he
backed away a little, I could see that he was holding out his hands. The closest
thing I can compare it to is this picture:
I heard these words, “How could I forget you? You are engraved on my hands. I have overcome the world. Though
darkness and sin cover the earth, I will save and redeem all mankind who come
unto me.” This scripture then came to mind:
“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.”
This became one of many moments when I experienced a “peace
that passes all understanding.” In other words, there is no way to describe it
with any more detail in this limited language I’m using. You simply have to
experience it for yourself to understand. And even then, it’s difficult to
understand yourself. It is not of this world, nor can any act we try to do
ourselves compare with it. It is the joy, peace, and love that only comes
through our Savior, Jesus Christ. For he is the Prince of Peace.
He has
descended below us all; therefore, ONLY HE who can pull us out of our deepest
and darkest holes. ONLY HE understands exactly what every tiny pain, infirmity,
and sadness feels like; and ONLY HE can bring a true and lasting peace to us,
despite these pains. ONLY HE can heal us. ONLY HE can save us. ONLY HE can
redeem us from bitterness and death. ONLY HE can cleanse and purify us. ONLY HE
can succors our needs. It doesn’t matter if we believe or not. It doesn’t
matter how many other methods we try to seek counterfeit or temporary peace. It
doesn’t matter how many times we turn away from Him and act like He is not
there. I am a witness that He is there regardless, with his hand stretched out
to us always. He is there, sitting with us, weeping with us, and hoping that we
will do what is necessary to see and feel Him there. He wants us to reach up to
him, so he can take our feeble hands, and heal them. He wants us to have those points
of sorrow and cognitive dissonance in our lives, so we will take that
opportunity to choose Him. To turn to Him for peace, understanding, and answers
to our questions. To take up our own crosses and follow Him. To do the hard things
of this world. To do those little kind and selfless things for ourselves and others that WILL make a big difference in the
world. To listen to His words, so he can help us along the way.
And here is a beautiful song that has been running through my head all day that I hope uplifts you, as well: "Where Can I Turn for Peace?" - Calee Reed
