Friday, March 13, 2020

Simple Country Catholic: Finding Peace in the Coronavirus

Simple Country Catholic: Finding Peace in the Coronavirus: I have found a profound peace in the midst of life's circumstances which I have no control.  There will always be a virus, war, sufferin...

Finding Peace in the Coronavirus

I have found a profound peace in the midst of life's circumstances which I have no control.  There will always be a virus, war, suffering, tragedy, illness and ugliness.   It's times like these that one should reflect on the bigger picture of life.  Times like these one should hug their loved ones a little tighter, be kinder to their neighbor, ask themselves what and who am I living for?  what am I doing with my life? how am I treating others? what's my purpose? what is missing from my life?

Suffering is good


I truly believe that good comes out of suffering.  Throughout history when there is great tragedy, humanity seems to come together. We remember we belong to each other.  Pettiness seems to disappear, the big picture emerges.  It's like we need to be reminded that we are made for love.  We need to be reminded we are all connected. We need to be reminded of the frailty of our lives.

Peace


I have found this peace because of my faith.  Believing that my soul will live on after my body dies helps me navigate this world.  Anxiety and fear dissipate.  The path that leads to a true and everlasting peace is supernatural.  There is no logical reason why I should be so content. The help I receive is only a result of looking into my soul and asking if I will allow something bigger than me to enter. 

Hope


My hope is that those who are suffering great anxiety and fear will look at their lives and contemplate what could be missing.  I have an answer.  Peace is real. Joy of life is real. There is more to life that just what is on the surface. Go deeper. Allow yourself to be vulnerable to something bigger than yourself. 

Never lose hope. A new day will dawn and we will have a peace that surpasses all understanding.

A new day


Stay calm, rejoice and pray


"Rejoice in the Lord, rejoice...Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made be known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:4-7

St. Augustine said "our hearts are restless until they rest in thee." 

Is your heart restless? Do you have peace?