The Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes peace as a “freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions.”[1] I believe that this definition fully encompasses the essence of peace. We can receive the peace of God when we are in the full company of God. “…may the peace of God rest upon you…according to your faith and good works…” [2] According to our diligence, faith in God and our good works, we can receive peace from everything around us. Meaning, that we can find peace in everything that we do, we will find God in every aspect of our lives if we are in the full company of God. The peace of God is not like the peace of the world, it is heavenly and wonderful. “…that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another.” [3] Along with having faith and doing good works we need to be grateful to God and rejoice for our blessings in order to have the full peace of God.
When we are repentant and feel the Godly sorrow for what we have done when we have sinned we will feel the heavenly peace afterwards. When we full abstain from the sins that we have committed we will feel God in our lives. “…having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience…” [4] All over the scriptures the prophets and people will repent and feel the grace and peace of God in their lives, as long as they abstain from pride and the sins of the world. As long as we allow Christ come into our lives we will feel the peace of the Lord.
As we feel the peace of the Lord we will want to share it with anyone we come across. The missionaries are out there doing exactly that. “And these are they who have published peace, who have brought good tidings of good, who have published salvation; and said unto Zion: Thy God reigneth!” [5] Missionaries take the Gospel of Christ around the world to “publish” the peace, and bring good tidings of great joy. They tell those who the meet of the peace of God and that they can be saved through Christ, which will always give them peace.
The scripture that has always been my favorite is John 14:27. [6] “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 scripture is Christ talking to the apostles before he goes to perform the atonement. This shows me that when we need Christ at our darkest hours that he will give us the Godly peace that we need to get through this life. This tells me that even those closest to Christ still needed peace in their lives to be able to get through the trials that come their way. “…not as the world giveth, give I unto you…” This is the title of my blog because it shows the essence of Christ, it shows that the world cannot give us the peace that we truly need in this life. Also, Christ tells the apostles to not let their hearts be troubled or afraid. When we have Christ’s peace in our life we don’t have room for our hearts to be troubled or afraid. When I went through a hard and dark time of my life the only way I was able to get through it was by praying for peace. I needed to fulfill the requirements of humility, faith and good works before I could actually fully receive it, but it was worth the wait. I never was truly happy until I “got over” my depression. Truly looking and searching for the peace of God was the most fulfilling and happy time of my life because I learned to truly serve and to be grateful for what I have been given in this life.
I know that God lives and that He loves me. I know that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ in these Latter Days. I know that when we truly search and understand the peace of God we will receive every ounce of it. I know that the Lord’s peace is the only comforting peace and that the world could never give this to us. I am so grateful for this knowledge and for the trials that I have had, this has truly shaped me into who I am today. I’m grateful for the atonement and I know that it is real. If Christ hadn’t performed the atonement I know that we wouldn’t be fully able to feel His peace. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
8 comments:
Very uplifting. Let us all continue to publish peace amongst the inhabitants of the world.
you know, you have brought up many excellent points. it seems that there is not enough peace in this world. i love peace. reeses peices too! good job yo
I love the thought that the world cannot give you the peace that you need in order to make it through life. Instead, we must turn to Christ for support.
wow, thank you so much for your testimony and for sharing your personal experience. I am sure it will comfort many others to know that someone else has gone through the same situation! I love that you brought up the difference between peace of the world, and heavenly peace!
Katrina- i think that depression is something satan likes to throw at us. Keeping us in a rut, not feeling peace. But I am happy you have found your peace. :) thank you for your blog
Katrina, Thank you for your words. Your faith and testimony has strengthened my own.
I enjoyed your comments. It is comforting to know that even Christs disciples were in need of his peace and comfort, and to know that is is not only after a fall that we are able to feel this love and peace.
I liked your insight that we can have peace in whatever we do, we just need to allow Christ to come into our lives. Thanks for a great blog!
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