What Brings Peace?

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Lent is always one of the busiest times of the year for youth ministers (as I'm sure it is for many other faithful Christians). This year is no different.

Through the first half of this penitential season, I have been smothered not only by a perpetually-full slate of activities, but also by serious questions about my spirituality, my family, and my job. There is no doubt that I will be closer to Christ on Easter Sunday than I was on Ash Wednesday...if I survive, that is. I won't lie: it has been quite difficult so far.

However, this particular post is not meant to be a venue for moaning and grumbling on my part. Rather, I mean to help you see that all of the excess stuff and worries can be overcome; I mean to share with you how I find peace in the midst of all that surrounds me.

I pray every morning, I sit daily in Adoration, and I make my way through The Imitation of Christ. While doing those things, I am constantly reminded that Jesus Christ has lived a fully-human life, during which time He surely dealt with stress and anxiety. In fact, the types of stress and anxiety He endured...being the Savior of the World and all...probably cannot be comprehended by any of us.

The fact that He dealt with such things in His own life brings a wonderful peace into my life that I would not otherwise have. Because Jesus bore these things, I am confident that He will give me the grace to do the same. The only condition is that I must continue to allow my life to be used for His glory. That I am willing to do!

Until next time, pray for lasting peace within all human hearts, and pray that internal peace will bring external peace.

God Bless.

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