the journal

The word peace has really resonated in my heart lately. We live in a world full of contention, hate, and persecution. You see so many things on the news about people being bullied, put down, and even murdered. There are wars everywhere and even contention within our own country. People seem to always think that they know what’s best and they won’t listen to anyone else’s opinion. The divorce rate is so high and families are falling apart because of contention and even hate. And that is the furthest from peace.

I’ve recently been thinking about a few people in my life that can’t seem to find peace in their lives. For some reason or another, they are struggling. And finding peace is hard. In a world like I just described, it can sometimes seem impossible. But that’s exactly why we have to find peace. I’m pretty lucky. I don’t feel like I’ve ever had a time in my life where I couldn’t find some sort of peace. But my heart aches for those that aren’t as lucky as I am. For those that are lost, frustrated, depressed, alone, and angry. It’s for you that I’m writing this today.

From the words of Jeffrey R. Holland, ‘You are doing better than you think you are’. You are capable of finding peace in your life. It may not come all at once and it may not come immediately. But as you work to find peace in your life, you will be blessed. Having peace doesn’t just come automatically. It’s something we have to work for, strive for. Now, there have been many times in my life where I didn’t feel complete peace, but thanks to family, friends and my Savior, I was able to feel calm and re-gain peace in my life. By doing the things that bring me peace. By reading my scriptures, keeping my house clean, praying often, listening to music, getting out of the house and spending time with loved ones.

Peace can come in all different ways. It can come from the hug of a friend, the smell of a flower, even the sound of the rain on your window. Just look around, you can find peace anywhere, you just have to look harder and listen better. I’m learning a song on the piano right now (yes, I play the piano, but not well) that has really touched my heart and I hope it will touch yours as well. This link is not of me playing or singing, but I hope that by listening to this song, you will find some sort of peace. Even if it’s only momentarily. Because in a world full of contention and hate, ‘He gives us hope when hope is gone, He gives us strength when we can’t go on, He gives us shelter in the storms of life. When there’s no peace on earth, there is peace in Christ’.

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2018-01-0010-peace-in-christ?lang=eng