Peace, Be Still

      We all have moments of trial, struggle, fear, hopelessness.  During these moments where do we turn, what do we do?  For me, it is usually a good long run, to leave it all behind for an hour or so, get time to clear my head and try to tackle it again when I'm in a better state of mind.  This is my ideal situation, though most of the time I don't have the means to just drop everything and run.  During these times I find myself a slave to emotions such as distress and hopelessness.  Everything comes crashing down all at once, or so it seems. 
      During one of these such moments in the MTC, I had a very caring teacher share some wonderful information with me.  He showed me the picture I've attached below, Peace, Be Still by Simon Dewey.  In this picture Christ had just been asked by his disciples, "Carest thou not that we perish?" Mark 4:38-39 The winds, the waves, the rain, all of the elements were upon them and they thought they surely would perish.  And just as they turn to the Lord and plea for help, he calms the sea.  What peace I felt as this teacher explained this story.  "Sometimes we have trials and by no means are they easy, but I like to think of it this way:  We have to first be given the storms so that, in time, Christ can pull us through, or calm the storm.

    During difficult times, I'm often at fault of relying on myself.  When the time comes and I can humble myself enough to turn to God in prayer, and rely on Christ to be my guide, I do receive the peace I need and the comfort I want.  I'm grateful for the experience I had and the care someone took to help me understand how I can and should bring Christ into my life more.  For anyone reading this that is or has ever felt these feelings of fear, doubt, loneliness, despair and hopelessness during difficult times, it is my wish that you can take comfort from Christ.  He is always there, we need only seek him.