by Chris Banescu –
Only God can bring genuine peace and calm to the human soul. Only our Saviour has the power to impart this peace to us. As Christ promised, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:26). Only this godly peace can sooth our souls, calm our minds, and comfort our hearts.
“The soul that loves God has its rest in God and in God alone. In all the paths that men walk in the world, they do not attain peace until they draw nigh to hope in God,” reminds us St. Isaac the Syrian. “All the blessings of the soul, that is, all that constitutes the true life, the peace and the joy of the soul, come from God! This I have proved by experience. My heart tells me so,” testifies St. John of Kronstadt.
Nothing in this fallen world is capable of imparting this godly peace to our souls. We can’t find it in material success, riches, fame, or worldly awards. Neither money, nor material possessions, nor earthly power, nor carnal pleasures or amusements can give it to us. No medication, no therapist, and no psychiatrist can impart it to us. No worldly guru and no godless spiritual experience can provide it either; although they may offer a counterfeit “peace” that has no staying power and brings little comfort in the end.
God created us to live in communion with Him. God designed us to run on Him. “He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other,” wrote C.S. Lewis. Despite our rebellion and sinfulness, our souls still depend on God for their very existence and sustenance; even when we deny or refuse to acknowledge Him. We still need His Spirit to sustain us, restore us, and bring us true peace.
“It is the property of the spirit to seek God, to strive towards Him, to thirst for Him. Nothing created, earthly, worldly can ever satisfy it. No matter how many good things a person has, it will never seem enough, he will always want more and more. This eternal lack of fulfillment, this constant dissatisfaction proves that our spirit strives towards something Higher, the Ideal, as they say. Therefore, nothing earthly can replace this Higher Being, this Ideal. The soul is restless, finding no peace. Only in God, in living communion with Him, can a person find total satisfaction and rest, having obtained grace-filled peace of soul and calmness,” reminds us Archbishop Averky.
Draw near to the Lord in faith, repentance, stillness, prayer, and supplication. Seek Christ with an open and humble heart. Ask Him for the peace that your soul thirsts for and your heart desires. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7). Only Christ can bring this godly peace to our souls.
(Photo credit Pixabay)
