The Peace Within

“God doesn’t want us to be together.”

Okay, so those weren’t his exact words…but they may as well have been. And while I am all for following the will of God (duh), one thing I am not in support of is this basic temptation we as Christians fall into the trap of—assuming a feeling is from God when there is a lack of peace and running with it. Often times, our lack of peace is due to our own choices. Indeed, “peace” is an interior disposition of heart, soul, mind and body; it isn’t a fleeting emotion or happy feeling.

I am all too positive that I have used these words before (“God doesn’t want this for me” or “God doesn’t want me to be with this person”) prematurely. And if you are somewhat attempting to follow the will of God, I am sure you have also. What a disservice we do to ourselves and our lives by following our short-sighted understanding of “peace”.

Last night, I was having a conversation with a dear friend. She was sharing with me why she avoids “discomfort”. She equated discomfort and darkness, contrasting them from peace, and, paraphrasing Father Jacques Philippe, stated, “pretty sure…your soul has to be at peace for Him to speak to you…”

I started to think about what she said, and as I did, the words “God doesn’t want us to be together” (something like that) came flooding back to my mind. What confirmation God was sharing with me about feelings, spirits, and His will.

If you are familiar with Ignatian Spirituality, you will recognize the terms “consolation” and “desolation”. “Consolation can hold many emotions and experiences. Consolation does not mean that I feel constantly happy or at peace. In fact, sometimes when I am doing precisely what God is leading me to do, I might feel negative pressure from others, or I might find the experience a challenge because I’m growing and learning.” (https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/25557/consolation-and-desolation-2)

In fact, our very own “lack of peace” or “discomfort” is simply a result of our own sins and often points us in a direction of how we should grow. For example, during Lent on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Catholics fast from food (you know, two small “meals” that together don’t equal the size of a large meal plus one large meal). I don’t know about you, but I am not comfortable during those two days. Honestly, if I allow myself to be, I am pretty miserable. And, as much as I LOVE Good Friday, it can easily become the most PAINFUL day of the year…because I love to eat. Importantly, though, it isn’t because I am not “at peace”. In fact, I am called to fast on those two days, so I know I am doing the will of God. Yet, as uncomfortable as I am, there is still a strong peace in my heart. Indeed, peace exists when we do the will of God. But peace is not equal to comfort.

Another example: if you have ever watched The Passion, you will remember the scene from the Garden when Jesus falls to the ground and satan attempts to tempt Him. In that moment, we can see the agony and discomfort on Christ’s face, for He knows what torture and pain He is about to undergo on Good Friday. Yet, His soul is at peace. How can we be sure? Because, again, peace exists when we do the will of God (and peace isn’t an absence of discomfort). For Christ was following the will of His Father- He was submitting to God’s will that He die on the cross for our sins and be resurrected. Thus, our ultimate salvation was throught with discomfort and pain…but the greatest peace this world (and Human) ever knew.

As Christians, we do ourselves a huge disservice when we ignore the spiritual battle that lies within our hearts, souls, and minds. In doing so, we forget what “discernment of spirits” means and how that plays the largest role in our lives regarding our thoughts and emotions. As we grow closer to Christ, the devil does everything he can to thwart us. As we move away from Christ, the devil does the opposite.

As we look at our lives and relationships, the paths we are walking, the goals we are setting, and the choices we are making, it is crucial we understand what is meant by the will of God and how in turn that internal dialogue and battle wages on. Peace exists in the midst of total pain and discomfort; the goal is listening to which voice is from God and which voices are not.

"Try to keep your soul always in peace and quiet, always ready for whatever our Lord may wish to work in you. It is certainly a higher virtue of the soul, and a greater grace, to be able to enjoy the Lord in different times and different places than in only one." -St. Ignatius of Loyola