No matter what time of year it is, the stressors of life never seem to be on vacation. The holidays often bring more worry than cheer as we try to negotiate family relationships, plan the perfect Thanksgiving meal, and somehow buy the perfect gifts for everyone on the list. Springtime brings with it taxes and allergies. And then summer comes along–and even our vacations often stress us out! What can be done to bring real and lasting peace into our lives?
Francois Fenelon weighed in on this question when he wrote,
“Real peace in this life must be attained with a full view of one’s own imperfections, neither slurred over nor tolerated, but, on the contrary, condemned to the full extent. Then one bears the humiliation of one’s frailty in peace, because there is no more clinging to self. We are troubled by our own faults more than those of other people, not because they are our own, but because it is our duty to correct, to conquer, to renounce, to humble ourselves, in order to accomplish the will of God, even through the sacrifice of ourselves. The disposition which you need to cultivate is faithful attention to the light thrown upon your imperfections.
Try not to vex yourself by forestalling the future, any more than by fretting over the past. Resign yourself to God, and do with simplicity the best you can, according to the light of the present moment.”
Fenelon understood what Paul was trying to communicate in Philippians 4 when he wrote:
“. . . do not be anxious about anything,but in everything by prayer and earnest entreaty, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
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