Peace, in the Middle of Turmoil
OFTEN pressure, stress, concern, and worry can make one feel burdened, unloved, even uncared for. When events are whirling around us, we may want to find an oasis of calmness and peace but have no idea where to start. We can always find the peace and comfort we need in an understanding of how much God loves and cares for His children. The unity of God and man is the key to the restoration of harmony, usefulness, peace. Recently I saw for myself that God is always able and willing to help His child find peace.
We had just moved to a new city. It was a beautiful spring day, and I wanted to get outside for a while. We'd given our decision a lot of thought, and I was relieved the actual move was finally over. But I found the sudden change to a new home, new jobs, new opportunities, friends, expectations, overwhelming, and I was burdened by worry about whether it would all work out for the best. Everything around me appeared upended and chaotic both physically and mentally. In addition, I'd been having back pain ever since the move. I could hardly bend or roll over.
I did manage to get into the car and drive to a nearby lake. But, as a Christian Scientist, I wanted to do more than just ``get away from things.'' I took the Bible with me and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. I spent some time praying and reading. But comfort still seemed far away, and joy was intermittent.
It was then that I turned to the Bible verse ``As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted.'' It struck me that these words in Isaiah weren't only a promise that God would comfort me, but they included a command as well: ``And ye shall be comforted''!
What a surprise! Here was a clear incentive to abandon self-pity, burden, fear, and worry, and to start expressing the confidence, joy, trust in God, and peace that were rightfully mine as His spiritual offspring.
I knew from reading the Bible that Christ Jesus didn't spend his time stewing and worrying -- he simply went about healing and helping others. I, too, could obtain peace and comfort just as the Master did -- through prayer and trust in God, good.
It was then that I looked up across the peaceful, duck-filled lake and saw the fast-moving cars of rush-hour traffic. But I realized that right in the middle of all the noise and hurry-scurry commotion was this peaceful, quiet, undisturbed lake. Finally, after all my praying, the message was clear: It didn't matter how chaotic my surroundings appeared; right in the middle of all the turmoil I could find the peace that comes from a knowledge of God. I didn't have to let the turmoil govern me, because I was subject only to God's government and I could surrender to His care.
The spiritual light of Christ, Truth, had dawned in my thought and the burdens began to lift. I began to see my God-given oneness with God -- wholly unbroken, complete, and undisturbed. Once again I felt the joy, appreciation of others, and the expectation of good that was normal for me. I was healed. There was no more back pain, no more feeling of burden, fear, self-pity, worry. That day fulfilled for me the promise Mrs. Eddy gives in Science and Health: ``To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings.''
As we trust God's love for us, His children, each day can provide new opportunities to find His peace in our lives.