From Pieces to Peaceful

Do you ever feel like you're in pieces? Like the whole picture is not clear? Do you struggle to understand  how the people, circumstances, and emotions of life fit together?

If so, you are a lot like me. I  go through each day with a desire to fit the pieces together, to make peace with all the pieces of my life. Although this is a daunting task, it would be a lot easier if I understood what that word "peace" really means!

My 9 year old loves peace signs. She has them hanging all over her room, has them on her t-shirts and earrings, and spends time doodling them in her notebook. When I researched the history of this symbol, I found that it originated in 1958 by the Campaign of Nuclear Disarmament. I'm pretty sure my 9 year old doesn't know anything about nuclear disarmament. (Even I don't know anything about it!) She just thinks peace signs are cool.

Other symbols of peace include a dove and olive branch and the v-shaped hand signal. Although these are widely known symbols of peace,  are they really helpful in explaining what peace means? There are also various sayings that have recently become more popular that have to do with peace. I've seen countless t-shirts with the saying, "Peace, love, (fill in the blank)". And, although originally produced by the British government as a propaganda poster in 1939, variations of this are now all over Pinterest:

Still confused about peace? I was too. So, I decided to look up some synonyms for the word "peace". Here are some of my favorites:  calm, ease of mind, reassurance, imperturbability, stillness, unconcern. Need more clarification? Sometimes knowing the opposite of what you want to achieve helps make a goal clearer. So, here are some of my favorite antonyms for peace:  uneasiness, restlessness, anxiety, apprehension, fearful expectation.

After all this research, I determined that peace is difficult to achieve. It's a lot easier to be filled to anxiety or uneasiness than it is to be filled with peace. Then I realized, peace is only difficult because I frequently attempt to gain it on my own. Doesn't it make more sense to go to the one who is called the "Prince of Peace" to ask for help? Jesus said in John 14:27

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (NIV) 

I read once that this "peace" does not mean an absence of conflict or trial, but rather the ability to "keep it together" during those times. That is what I desire, the ability to exhibit calmness and confidence during times of trouble, whether big or small. And, that kind of peace has been given to me. All I have to do is accept it. 

My favorite synonym for peace is imperturbability. Lord, help me to be imperturbable today...