At times we need to reflect on gentler things that calm and refresh. One way is to think of good things and give thanks. It’s a formula for peace that God gave us in Scripture.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:6-7.
Our thankfulness brings contentment and starts to multiply when we put our mind to it. Start with the big and the obvious and then go deeper, and peace will enter your heart and mind. By including things you usually don’t think to be thankful for, your perspective will expand as will your relationship with God. Let it become a brainstorming session so that each item will give way to several more. Here are some examples.
· Faith
· Food and shelter
· Family
· The Eucharist
· Prayer
· Access to the Angels and Saints
· My education
· Clean water; hot and cold water
· Ice cubes
· Washing machines
· Microwaves
· All appliances
· Window screens
· Bugspray and sunscreen
· The radio
· Confession
· Ice cream
· Music
· The good things that happened today
· The bad things that taught me lessons
· My ability to speak
· My ability to walk or to get around if I can’t walk
· All the diseases that I don’t have.
· Medical care for whatever I do have or will get.
You get the idea. The more you do it, the easier it gets. Here are some other of my favorite calming thoughts borrowed from Before I Go: Letters to Our Children about What Really Matters by Peter Kreeft along with Scripture to support it.
Mornings
Heraclitus said, “The sun is new every day.” He was astronomically wrong but spiritually right. Each day is a new gift from God. It doesn’t come from yesterday. It comes from God. Time can’t make more time. Only God can make more time. Thank Him for it every morning.
Surfing Wisdom
Life is made of waves. (Everything is.) It comes in crests and troughs. It’s easy to ride the crests the real test is the troughs. Expect them. Ride them out. That’s part of our job description. Imagine a fire fighter who was surprised, angry, and resentful every time the fire alarm bell rang.
The Burning “I”
Prayer is not only conversation, it is transformation. It is not only light, it is fire. And the closer you get to Him, the hotter the fire gets. Words begin to melt. The first word that melts in His presence is the word “I.” That is His unique name. The closer you get to Him, the harder it is to begin a sentence with “I” It melts in the fire of “Thou.”
Thankfulness, prayer, and meditating on God’s presence are divine tranquilizers—“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8
It does not make all our troubles go away, but it brings us peace of mind and makes whatever troubles we do have, easier to manage.
May the peace of Christ be with you!
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