Find Peace in the Storm

“Despite dismal conditions in the world and the personal challenges that come into every life, peace within can be a reality. We can be calm and serene regardless of the swirling turmoil all about us. Attaining harmony within ourselves depends upon our relationship with our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and our willingness to emulate him by living the principles he has given us.” (Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Peace Within,” April 1991.)

Peace from Within

In John 14:27, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

What does it mean to have peace from within? Jesus calmed the raging storm for his apostles (see Mark 4:36-41; Matthew 8:23-26). These men, former fishers with great knowledge of the sea, its currents and moods, understood how to navigate around storms. What they had never encountered before was someone who not only understood the waves, but could exercise complete control over them. They were sailors who could harness the wind, but the Master could control not only the wind, but the waves and the storm as well.

We’ve seen that the winds and storm can be calmed, or that we can be calm in the midst of a raging storm, but how do we get to that point for ourselves?

In Doctrine & Covenants 19:23, Jesus himself tells us, his modern-day disciples how we can find this peace for ourselves. “Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.”

I find it significant that these tender words of counsel come just a few verses after the Savior describes the agony of what it was to go through the atonement. “I suffered these things for all…Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink…” (D&C 19:16,18).

In other words, “I know what you have been through. What you are going through. I know how it feels -every ounce of pain and fear and worry that you have. If you will just let me (Learn of me! Listen to my word!), I have all the answers you need (Walk with me!) and you will find peace.”

“The phrase ‘Peace, be still’ that the Savior uttered when he calmed the storm-tossed sea, can have the same calming influence upon us when we are buffeted by life’s storms.” (Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Peace Within,” April 1991.)

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About the Author:

Laura will be the first to tell you she’s not perfect. That’s why she loves the restored gospel, and loves the atonement.