.

PEACE.

"The Lord is near; have no anxiety, but in everything make your requests known to God in prayer and petition with thanksgiving. Then the peace (1) of God, which is beyond our utmost understanding, will keep guard over your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ  Jesus."  (Phil 4:6,7 NEB).

ENDEAVOUR TO HAVE A CALM SPIRIT.
'Every morning compose your soul for a tranquil day, and all through it be careful often to recall your resolution, and bring yourself back to it, so to say. If something discomposes you, do not be upset, or troubled;  but having discovered the fact, humble yourself gently before God, and try to bring your mind into a quiet attitude. Say to yourself, 'Well, I have made a false step;  now I must go more carefully and watchfully.' Do this each time, however frequently you fall. When you are at peace use it profitably, making constant acts of meekness, and seeking to be calm even in the most trifling things. Above all, do  not be discouraged;  be patient;  wait;  strive to attain a calm, (2)  gentle spirit.'  (F. De Sales).

'We should all endeavour and labour for a calmer spirit, that we may the better serve God in praying to Him and praising Him;  and serve one another in love, that we may be fitted to do and receive good;  that we may make our passage to heaven more easy and cheerful, without drooping and hanging the wing. So much as we are quiet and cheerful upon good ground, so much we live, and are, as it were, in heaven.'  (R. Sibbes).

'The subjection of the will is accomplished by calmly resigning yourself up in everything that internally or externally vexes you; for it is thus only that the soul is prepared for the reception of Divine influences. Prepare the heart like clean paper, and the Divine Wisdom will imprint on it characters to His own liking.'  (M. Molinos).

SUBMISSION TO GOD LEADS TO PEACE.
'Strive to see God in all things without exception, and acquiesce in His Will with absolute submission. Do everything for God, uniting yourself to Him by a mere upward glance, or by the overflowing of your heart towards Him. Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inward peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset. Commend all to God, and then lie still and be at rest in His bosom. Whatever happens, abide steadfast in a determination to cling simply to God, trusting to His eternal love for you;  and if you find that you have wandered forth from this shelter, recall your heart quietly and simply. Maintain a holy simplicity of mind, and do not smother yourself with a host of cares, wishes, or longings, under any pretext.'  (F. De Sales).

'We sleep in peace in the arms of God, when we yield ourselves up to His providence, in a delightful consciousness of His tender mercies; no more restless uncertainties, no more anxious desires, no more impatience at the place we are in;  for it is God who has put us there, and who holds us in His arms. Can we be unsafe where He has placed us?'  (Fénelon).

"May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in all ways. The Lord be with you all."  (2 Thess 3:16 NEB).

THE RESULT OF SELF-WILL.
'Your own self-will and anxiety, your hurry and labour, disturb your peace and prevent God from working in you. Look at the little flowers, in the serene summer days; they quietly open their petals, and the sun shines into them with his gentle influences. So will He do for you, if you will yield yourself to Him.'  (G. Tersteegen).

'Study to follow His Will in all, to have no will but His. This is your duty, and your wisdom. Nothing is gained by spurning and struggling but to hurt and vex yourself; but by complying all is gained     sweet peace. It is the very secret, the mystery of solid peace within, to resign all to His Will, to be disposed of at His pleasure, without the least contrary thought.'  (R. Leighton).

'This deliverance of the soul from all useless and selfish and unquiet cares, brings to it an unspeakable peace and freedom; this is true simplicity. The state of entire resignation and perpetual acquiescence produces true liberty; and this liberty produces perfect simplicity. The  soul which knows no self-seeking, no interested ends, is thoroughly candid; it goes straight forward without hindrance; its path opens daily more and more to 'perfect day', in proportion as its self-renunciation and its self-forgetfulness increase.'  (Fénelon).

"But the wisdom from above is in the first place pure; and then peace-loving, considerate, and open to reason;  it is straightforward and sincere, rich in mercy and in the kindly deeds that are its fruit. True justice is the harvest reaped by peacemakers from seeds sown in a spirit of peace."  (James 3:17,18 NEB).

"…let us continue at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have  been allowed to enter the sphere of God's grace, where we now stand."  (From Rom 5:1,2 NEB).

HOW TO BE AT PEACE WITH GOD.
'God is a tranquil Being, and abides in a tranquil eternity. So must your spirit become a tranquil and clear little pool, wherein the serene light of God can be mirrored. Therefore shun all that is disquieting and distracting, both within and without. Nothing in the whole world is worth the loss of your peace; even the faults which you have committed should only humble, but not disquiet you. God is full of joy, peace, and happiness. Endeavour then to obtain a continually joyful and peaceful spirit. Avoid all anxious care, vexation, murmuring, and melancholy, which darken your soul, and render you unfit for the friendship of God.  If  you do perceive such feelings arising, turn gently away from them.'  (G. Tersteegen).

"Be humble always and gentle, and patient too. Be forbearing with one another and charitable. Spare no effort to make fast with bonds of peace the unity which the Spirit gives."  (Eph 4:2,3 NEB).

"So, then, let us pursue the things making for peace and the things that are upbuilding to one another."  (Rom 14:19).

"…agree with one another; live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you."  (2 Cor 13:11 NEB).

"Happy are the peaceable, since they will be called 'sons of God.'"  (Matt 5:9).



(1)

PEACE:

Freedom from disturbance or contention.
Ease of mind or conscience. Tranquility.
(2) CALM: Serene, tranquil.

 

 

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