Where Do You Find Peace?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to the books of Philippians and Colossians in a lesson titled “I Can Do All Things through Christ Which Strengtheneth Me.” The lesson was preceded by this bit of wisdom: “When was the last time you read the spiritual impressions you have recorded during your study of the New Testament? It might be helpful to review the promptings you’ve been receiving.” The lesson was introduced in the following paragraph. 

Paul wrote his epistles to the Philippians and Colossians while he was a prisoner in Rome. But these letters don’t have the tone you might expect from someone in prison. Paul spoke more about joy, rejoicing, and thanksgiving than he did about afflictions and trials: “Christ is preached,” he said, “and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice” (Philippians 1:18). And “though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding … the steadfastness of your faith in Christ” (Colossians 2:5). Certainly, “the peace of God” that Paul experienced in his difficult circumstances “passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7), but it was nonetheless a reality. In our own trials, we can feel this same peace and “rejoice in the Lord alway” (Philippians 4:4). We can, as Paul did, rely completely upon Jesus Christ, “in whom we have redemption” (Colossians 1:14). We can say, as did Paul, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13; see also Colossians 1:11).

This scripture block contains numerous principles, but I have chosen to focus on only one: “I can find joy in Christ, regardless of my circumstances” (Philippians 4:1-13). The applicable scripture verses are as follows:

1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

3 And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Paul’s life vividly illustrated the truth expressed in our day by President Russell M. Nelson: “When the focus of our lives is on … Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening – or not happening – in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him” (Joy and Spiritual Survival,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 82).

The world is in turmoil with war in Europe and the Middle East, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters, and wickedness in our nations. The only way for us to have peace is to focus our lives on Jesus Christ and His gospel, just as President Nelson said.

Watch for times in your life when you feel peace and note what it was that brought peace. I feel peace when I go to sacrament meeting to partake of the sacrament. I feel peace when I am in the temple. I feel peace when I sing the hymns of Zion, listen to conference talks, or study the scriptures.

I know that we can find peace in our lives by focusing on Jesus Christ, no matter what is happening in the world around us. In today’s world when evil is increasing, we can feel peace by following Paul’s counsel to “think on” things that are pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, or praiseworthy” (Philippians 4:8; see also Articles of Faith 1:13)