ONLY THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN LEAD US AWAY FROM THE NEGATIVE EMOTIONS THAT HAVE COME TO CONTROL US FROM WITHIN.
The Psalmist prays, “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Ps 139:23). It is the Holy Spirit who knows what is hidden in our hearts, for “He scrutinizes everything” (I Cor 2:10). When the Holy Spirit shines into the depths of our hearts, God’s love flows in, ushering in healing and peace.
The peace of God surpasses all understanding” (Phil 4:7)
We have permitted our hearts to degenerate into storehouses of negative emotions and attitudes. This is, in fact the result of the many negative experiences of our past. Bitter memories linger and erode our nature. We loved, trusted and cared for people. We imagined they would appreciate and honour our regard for them. However, those we held closest to us, rejected us, and caused us deep hurts. People ignored and humiliated us. The pain remains fresh, though we imagined time would heal. When we were betrayed and deceived, anger consumed us. Fear and insecurity began to dictate our behaviour. We have questions about how and why we were treated so unfairly, and how we can settle scores. We were advised to forgive and forget. We pretend not to care, while in reality our hearts are gripped by the unhappy moments of our past. If we truly search our hearts, we would realise we are helpless prisoners of bitterness. Scripture reminds us, “He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds” (Ps 147:3). Only the Holy Spirit can lead us away from the negative emotions that have come to control us from within. He is the “Helper” who rescues us in our helplessness. Only when the Spirit of God flows into our hearts, will there be peace in our hearts. While we imagined we were justified in being disturbed and angry, God offers us His own peace a peace that “surpasses all understanding” and “will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7).
The kingdom of God is peace in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17)
Today so many people, young and old, struggle with anxiety and sleeplessness. We will be able to sleep only when there is peace. If there is an intruder in your bedroom, and you notice he is armed with
a dagger, will you be able to sleep? Fear and anxiety rage within us precisely for this reason, that we have not sensed the protective presence of God with us.
God the Father sent Jesus His Son to the world that we may sleep well! Our heavenly Father knows this is very important. When the body and mind are at rest, we sleep soundly, and we are refreshed to live and work for His glory. This is why when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the messengers from heaven came declaring, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth. peace to those on whom His favour rests” (Lk 2:14). From the angels’ ‘Gloria’, it is clear the glory of God is very connected to peace in our hearts. When one is able to sleep, there is peace and new strength. One is able to rejoice, and live a good life. St Irenaeus teaches, “The glory of God is a human being fully alive.” We have a God who delights in and finds glory in a person living in peace. When God takes His place in our lives, He banishes all that disturbs the human heart.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you” (Is 26:3)
Let us keenly consider the things that have distressed us and deprived us of peace. We realise that every such instance was caused by our inability to understand or accept our circumstances. We had calculations, and expectations. When things went contrary to these, and it was beyond our power to steer the course of events, we were disturbed. As children, we loved our parents. When we love someone, we try to build our life around that person. We grow to heavily depend on him or her. The baby clings to the mother and the father. When the baby notices the absence of the parent, it would cry aloud. The mother comes running and picks it up. The baby is at peace, and the crying stops. As long as the parent is distant, the child is angry and distressed. I remember an interesting conversation I had when my nephew was a little child. I told him, “Do you know that your dad is my brother?” He protested, “No. My dad is my dad.” When I repeated that His dad was first my brother, he shouted loudly, “My dad is my dad.” When my brother playfully joined it, telling him, “Yes, but I am also his brother.” He began to cry, and then rushed to me and scratched me all over. The child was upset. He could not understand what we meant, and feared that I was taking away his possession! He wanted his father to be his own. If anybody threatens to deprive him of that sole possession over his dad, he would not take it kindly. Finally, my brother pacified him saying, “I am yours.” The little boy was happy. As he grew older, this grip loosened. Now, this teenager does not need his dad and mom all the time. In fact, he would not want his parents to be around him all the time. At college, he meets a girl whom he grows fond of. He slowly builds his life around the girl, and soon begins to feel that girl is enough for him. He returns late from college, and continues to spend long hours with her on the mobile phone. When the dad questions him about what kept him so long out of the house, he is disturbed and tells the dad, “It is not your business.” What he means is that the centre of his life is not the dad. That prime space is given to someone else. One day the parent notices that there is only one phone number that is repeated in the call list, at all times of day and night. He enquires and realises it is a girl. He is upset, and questions the boy, “Who is this girl you call all the time?” Now, the boy has become stronger, and boldly declares, “It is my girlfriend.” The dad tries to reason with him, “Son, you are just in the first year of college. How can you waste all your time like this?” He dismisses the advice, “Dad, you belong to another generation. This is what life is all about love.” He argues, imagining everyone should understand what he knows. His priority now is to build his life around this person. This perception too will someday get altered.
Many youngsters come here for a retreat. Very often i have been met by a youth who would confidently confide, “You know,
Father, I love that girl. She is so beautiful, and so good to me. She fills my heart, and I know if only I can marry her, I will be the happiest man on the face of the earth.” In the early years of my ministry, I made the mistake of believing them. I helped a few by speaking to their families and enabling them to go ahead with their marriage plans. Over time I realized they were not the happiest men or women. One may wonder, what was wrong in falling in love? Loving someone is a virtue. The problem is when we try to build our lives on a human person. When we pin our hopes on a person, or a dream, on anyone or anything outside of God, we would be disturbed. Any challenge to our goal of being in control of our destiny would cause us to be upset. There is no peace. This explains why boys and girls, who are in love, are often not able to sleep! Neither are they able to study, nor do they relish the opportunities of their circumstances. Years pass, and they settle in marriage. This, however, isn’t the passkey to peace. Disappointments happen, when one realises the spouse does not match up to the long held expectations. Then the child comes along. Now, roles are reversed. The parents are building their lives around the children. They remain disturbed, though the reasons now are different. Why are we disturbed all the time? The reason is we are not building our life on the one love that will never fail us. The persons in our life are bound to disappoint us. No human can fill our hearts, and be faithful to
the end as God alone can. When we learn to build our lives on the foundation of the love of our God, we will be firmly rooted in peace “To set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Rom 8:6) or anything outside of God, we would be disturbed. Any challenge to our goal of being in control of our destiny would cause us to be upset. There is no peace. This explains why boys and girls, who are in love, are often not able to sleep! Neither are they able to study, nor do they relish the opportunities of their circumstances. Years pass, and they settle in marriage. This, however, isn’t the passkey to peace. Disappointments happen, when one realises the spouse does not match up to the long held expectations. Then the child comes along. Now, roles are reversed. The
parents are building their lives around the children. They remain disturbed, though the reasons now are different. Why are we disturbed all the time? The reason is we are not building our life on the one love that will never fail us. The persons in our life are bound to disappoint us. No human can fill our hearts, and be faithful to the end as God alone can. When we learn to build our lives on the foundation of the love of our God, we will be firmly rooted in peace.
“To set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Rom 8:6)
God had a great plan in the history of salvation for Simon Peter. “I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church” (Mt 16:18). This is why the Risen Lord would ask him, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” (Jn 21:15). Simon Peter would confess, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” The gospel account mentions Peter was hurt because this question was asked three times! Though he affirmed his love, the Lord would repeat the question! One wonders why Jesus asked him thrice. Some may explain that the number three is important. There is a far deeper reason though. At one time Jesus had warned him, “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat… I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.”.” (Lk 22:31-24). Peter thought that was impossible. He was so sure of his superior strength and faithfulness, and would say, “Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you” (Mt 26:33). We are aware that few hours from then, he vehemently denied Jesus three times. Jesus was not shocked or offended. The gospel describes that “At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter” (Lk 22:60,61). Even as Peter was still denying that He knew Jesus, the Lord turned to look at him with love. This love pierced the heart of Peter. He was convicted in his heart, and “He wept bitterly” (Lk 22:62). The Risen Lord asks Simon Peter, “Do you love me more than everything else?” This was to instruct him that he could not build his life on his own strength. Our one confidence is the faithful grace and power of God. When we realise He is our stronghold, we build our lives on Him. We recognise the peace, beauty and meaning of life springs from Christ alone. We are living in times of great turmoil. We pursued success, wealth, and power. We have attempted to establish our lives on relationships. We imagined political clout and financial gains would make us secure. All the possessions of the world cannot guarantee us unfailing peace. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives” (Jn 14:27). What the world promises as peace is very illusory. So clearly have
Jesus, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you. I love you more than everything else. I have decided to live for you.” As we place our trust in Christ, we would experience peace in every circumstance.
Prayer
O God, you are the strength of my heart. I anchor my life on your love, that though this world may be tossed about by storms, I will be held in peace. I offer to you everything else that I idolised, and that has caused me distress. I enthrone you as my God, that I may experience the peace that surpasses understanding. In your presence, I will find my rest and glorify you all my life.