The Three Cs of Finding Peace in Challenging Times

Sherry Hayes-Peirce discusses three steps to achieving peace of heart.

My mother is a prayerful person, and through the years she has always helped me to find peace in the face of challenging circumstances. When we were growing up, when we said or did something to cause her distress, she would always say, “I am not going to let this disturb my peace.”   

These days there are so many things that disturb our peace. During a recent women’s retreat I attended, the topic of finding peace was shared — and it seems it all boils down to three things: the Cause (what disturbs your sense of peace), your ability to Control the situation, and your desire to Change it.   

It is said that in the absence of peace there is fear. What causes you fear today? Is someone you know and love ill? Does the news of the day fill you with anxiety? Are you struggling financially? Will your child get into the right school for fall? Or a litany of other vexing things?  

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7) 

The First C: Cause

So the first step is to limit what causes you to lose your peace. Of course if someone is ill you will feel fearful. The news of the day can definitely raise your blood pressure. Not having the sufficient finances to meet your daily needs for living is concerning. What school your child gets into triggers fears for so many parents that it could affect their future in a negative way.  

The Second C: Control 

In the instances listed above, let’s explore where you have control. Can you control the health of a loved one? No, in most cases, save you are the match for a lifesaving transplant. Can you control the news? As a former news reporter, unless you are a working member of the press again the answer is no. When it comes to financial matters the answer may vary, depending on the reason for the money related issues. As a widow whose husband controlled the purse strings I am having to learn the hard way to live within a budget. In other cases a loss of a job, a shift in the budget due to an increase in expenses can be dire to your ability to maintain your standard of living. In situations like this praying for the intercession of our saints or for God to reveal a solution, gives us a sense of control that our needs will be provided for. Do you have control in getting your child into the right school? Again, the answer is no.   

As you read this you are probably thinking, easier said than done to just accept what is happening. I agree with you, but God reminds us:

“Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.” (Matthew 6:34)  

The Third C: Change

Our minds focus on ways that we can change the cause of what disturbs our peace so much that it affects the health of our own bodies. There is an acronym for FEAR, False Evidence Appearing Real, that so resonates for me. So many times the cause triggers imaginings of the worst outcome, leaving no imaginings of God’s grace or plan in the situation.  

 As the Scripture verse above so clearly outlines, “the peace of God ... surpasses all understanding.” Mere mortals lack the ability to control so much in our lives. However, our faith tradition provides a well of resources to draw from in fearful times.  

The message is clear that the only way to find peace is through being in the presence of God.  

In our Church calendar, May is dedicated to our Blessed Mother; in the secular calendar this month, there is a focus on mental-health awareness and meditation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church encourages the practice of meditation to be present with God (2707). It is also a wonderful way to find peace of mind, body, and spirit. Praying the Rosary is one such meditative practice. The rhythm of the prayer really does help you find peace in the midst of the storms of life’s journey. Subscribing to the Hallow App and other Catholic apps daily can also help you find peace. Spending time in Adoration is the most effective way for me to find peace.

I would love to hear from you the ways you find peace in these turbulent times: let's talk about it in the comments. May the peace of Christ be with you today and always! 

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Copyright 2024 Sherry Hayes-Peirce
Images: (top, bottom) Canva; (center) copyright 2024 Sherry Hayes-Peirce, all rights reserved.