This is part 2 of my Book Club Time: Searching for and Maintaining Peace post. Part one of Searching for and Maintaining Peace can be found here. This is such a deep and rich book; do not let it’s small size fool you. Jacques Philippe can say what needs to be said so succinctly, and yet his wisdom is accessible to all. (Direct quotes in bold with my reflections following)
I started this Book Club Time series on Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart now, because we are headed into a season that can cause us to lose our peace over the last toy on shelf taken just as we get there, the last close parking spot snagged or an uncooperative ten pound turkey that won’t defrost.
One of the dominant aspects of spiritual combat is the struggle on the plane of thoughts. Really, this should not be surprising; capture a man’s mind and you control everything else, right? Our words originate as a thought. Our actions originate as a thought. If our thoughts are out of alignment, everything else will be as well. That’s why it’s so important to guard our minds and hearts. It is much easier to keep these temptations out, than to have to pull them out once they’ve gotten in and settled in the mind.
For us believers, the essential reason by virtue of which we can always be at peace does not come from this world. My kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36) It comes from trust in the Word of Jesus. This one of the reasons I encourage steeping ourselves in the Word of God. We cannot trust the world; we are not of this world. But we can and should trust the Word of God but we won’t know that Word unless we read our Bible. Just the other day I made a printable–Daily Affirmations for Self Esteem–for us to hang on our bathroom mirrors or anywhere prominent to remind us who we are in the truth and unchanging Christ, not the unstable and fickle world.
The more a thing seems good to us, the more we are agitated and preoccupied to realize it!…our wanting must always be caring, peaceful, patient, detached and abandoned to God. It should not be an impatient, wanting, hurried, restless, irritated, etc. Sounds like perfect words for the upcoming hustle and bustle. Of course we want nice things: a Good Housekeeping worthy Christmas display, a Pinterest worthy table setting…but at what cost and to whom?
It is God Who converts us and causes us to grow, not our nervousness, our impetuosity and our impatience. Powerful words. Just like we cannot stand over a tiny flower seed planted in the ground and yell at it to grow and expect it to grow. So let’s quit yelling at ourselves. Let’s do what we need to do to know, love and serve God and let Him with us as He wishes. As Mary, the Mother of Jesus said, “Let it be done unto me.”
Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect. But still, according to our Bible the one who is most perfect is not the one who behaves in an irreproachable manner, but the one who loves most. Can that be our goal right now? Instead of striving for perfect can we strive for love? Perfection is overrated and love under appreciated. I would be willing to bet that if there is an area you are struggling with in your live right now, it could use some extra love…You could use some extra love.
I’m going to need one more post to finish out my book club time notes for Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart. If you missed part one of Book Club Time: Searching for and Maintaining Peace, those notes and my reflections can be found here.
Is there an area in your life that you could use some extra love? Leave a “Yea” or “Nay” in the comments so we can pray that extra helping of love into each other’s lives.
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michelle says
Such a wonderful book. Such a wonderful author. Have you read Interior Freedom? I am reading it with my husband now.
Jenny says
I’ve read all of his books except the one on St Therese. I have not finished it yet.
michelle says
We should be friends….. i could use a deep discussion on these subjects! thanks for your posts. i will stay tuned!
Jenny says
Welcome friend!