Finding Peace in Your Life
Finding Peace in Your Life
By Kathy Penrod
Sometimes having peace can seem like a distant hope rather than a reality. We live in a world full of contention, anger and retribution. On social media and in the news we see everything from countries to former spouses at war. We see celebrities respond in anger with physical violence or cutting remarks. Comments on social media are often fraught with hatred and intolerance. The news bombards us with mass shootings and political unrest.
Peace, in any form, can seem like a long way off.
While we cannot control others’ actions, we can control what we do. We can choose to be peacemakers rather than peacebreakers. We can choose to follow Jesus Christ’s teachings, as modern day disciples, and do all we can to promote peace.
But where do we start?
We start with the words of a modern day prophet, Russell M. Nelson, who said,
“My call today, dear brothers and sisters, is to end conflicts that are raging in your heart, your home, and your life. Bury any and all inclinations to hurt others—whether those inclinations be a temper, a sharp tongue, or a resentment for someone who has hurt you. The Savior commanded us to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, and to pray for those who despitefully use us.”
We can choose to end the conflict in our lives. Being a peacemaker means we pray for those who despitefully use us. It means we love our enemies. Being a peacemaker means we hold back hurtful comments. It means we cleanse our heart of conflict.
Elder Dale G. Renlund said,
“When love of Christ envelops our lives, we approach disagreements with meekness, patience, and kindness.”
By filling our lives with Christ’s love, we will find that peace comes more easily. We will be less likely to approach sensitive issues with anger and resentment. Filling our heart with Christ’s love will cleanse our heart of conflict and contention.
The crowning event in the Book of Mormon is when Jesus Christ visits the people in the Americas. He taught them, just as he had the people in the Old World. And His visit, teachings and love changed the people. It changed them so much that for a number of years after His visit, there was “no contention in the land.”
About this phenomenon, Elder Renlund said,
“Do you think that the people were unified because they were all the same, or because they had no differences of opinion? I doubt it. Instead, contention and enmity disappeared because they placed their discipleship of the Savior above all else.”
That is the key. Putting our discipleship of the Savior above all else. When we do that, we can eliminate conflict in our lives. “
Jesus Christ is the source of all peace. Maybe we don’t have peace in the world right now, but we can work on the personal peace our Savior has offered us. (John 14:27)
President Russell M. Nelson said,
“We are followers of the Prince of Peace. Now more than ever, we need the peace only He can bring.”
Only Jesus Christ can offer us the peace we seek. Learn of Him. Let His love saturate your heart. Let His teachings guide you. As you strive to be a peacemaker, you will find that your life fills with peace. And, oh, how we all need peace today.
