Peace in Christ

Where do you turn for peace?

When the demands of the world press in on you--when the house is too messy or too noisy (or both), when the to-do list is daunting, with bills to pay and school supplies to buy, dinner to make, relationships to maintain and meetings to attend—where do you turn to feel the blessed stillness and relief of peace?

I feel peace when I participate in sacred ordinances in the temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The temple is the house of the Lord. Unlike my house, it is clean, orderly, and bright. As I pray, read scriptures and seek guidance from my Heavenly Father, I feel closer to Him. It is a brief period of time when I can be truly alone with my thoughts and I feel completely calm.

Ironically, the process of getting to the temple is as turbulent as it gets. It involves loading kids into the car and driving to Anchorage in a rush, trying to get there by my appointment time. This is a cakewalk compared to when I lived in Virginia and the closest temple was a four-hour drive: meaning a road trip an overnight hotel stay.

I’ve been asked why, if it is such a hassle, do I go to the temple? The answer is simple: it’s worth it. Peace is valuable—it comes at a cost. If you want to relax at the end of the day in a clean room, you have to put in the effort to pick up your clothes and make your bed. If you want to enjoy a peaceful paddle on the lake, you have to haul the canoe and pack the sandwiches and sunscreen and life jacket.

A beautiful song often reminds me, “When there’s no peace on Earth, there is peace in Christ.” (Peace in Christ, McKenna Hixsom) We can enjoy the serenity that Christ offers, but only if we enter into a relationship with Him. And that takes work.

Avoiding work is human nature, and we all seek a quick-fix for daily stressors: social media, chocolate, a self-help podcast, a few deep breaths. My trials in this life have been mild compared to some, but when my life feels out of control, I have been known to literally run from my screaming, chasing children up to my room, lock the door and—rather than sinking to my knees to seek comfort from the Lord—hide under a blanket and watch Netflix on my phone for a few minutes until my heart rate slows.

I’m not knocking Netflix: five minutes of a feel-good movie can be helpful, in a pinch. But in the long run, I think the words of another song express a more eloquent solution:

“Where can I turn for peace? Where is my solace when other sources cease to make me whole?...Where, when my aching grows, where, when I languish…where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish? Who, who can understand? He, only One. He answers privately, reaches my reaching, in my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend. Gentle the peace He finds for my beseeching. Constant He is and kind, Love without end.” (Where Can I Turn for Peace? Emma Lou Thayne)

Christ Himself tells us, “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.” (KJV John 14:7)

Watching a show, lighting a candle, sitting in a clean room…all these can bring us comfort and calm in this life. But true, lasting peace, comes only from the Savior Jesus Christ. In order to gain that peace, we need to pray constantly, read the scriptures and do the things He would have us do. As we grow closer to Christ, it becomes easier, and more second nature, to turn toward him when we need Him, and rely on Him for peace during times of struggle.

I testify that when you seek to build and maintain a relationship with Him, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (ESV Philippians 4:7)

Rachel Kenley Fry is frantically getting her five young children ready for school, getting four turkeys and two rabbits ready for their 4-H shows at the Fair, and getting herself to the temple and the church to chase after lasting peace. She is a stay-at-home mom, avid reader, aspiring author, and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.