The Tribune

By Rev Canon S

Sebastian Campbell

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

(John 14:27)

HAVE you ever spent time with someone who exudes peace no matter what is going on in his environment or even in his life? A friend of mine talks about a former co-worker of his, let’s call her Bernie. Bernie suffered domestic abuse at the hands of her alcoholic husband for more than 25 years before she left him.

During this time, she lost two of her five children. They were playing in the yard and locked themselves up in an old refrigerator. She survived breast cancer and experienced the many other challenges we all do on a daily basis. When he first met Bernie, my friend said, he was struck by the fact that nothing seemed to ruffle her feathers. Bernie never complained about small issues that we magnify every day. She was the epitome of peace, and it was apparent that she was not going to let anyone take it away from her. She set the tone for her environment no matter where she was.

On the other hand, I know of hell-raisers. They exude hell wherever they go. A woman once testified to me, “Every time I open my mouth the wrong things come out.”

Can some people just not help themselves, or is it just habit? Some people are so downright negative that we look in their direction to criticise any motion put to the floor.

What about you? How much peace do you exhibit?

Let’s start with your job. How well do you respond to the challenges of the day in your workplace? Are you always on edge or complaining? What is the appearance of your work area? Is it neat and orderly, or are there mountains of paper around? I’m no neat freak, but I’m a lot more peaceful and proficient when I’m not surrounded by things out of place. Disorder can be mentally distracting and stress inducing. If your office is messy or you work in a space with messy people, you may find it necessary to temporarily working in a conference room or another area if you have a pressing project. If this isn’t possible, try bundling papers with a grant rubber band and putting them out of sight as you work on one project at a time. Keep glass-top tables free of smudges. Live plants should be kept and trimmed and free of dead or yellowing leaves. The sight of disorder can subconsciously erode your peace.

What about your overall demeanour? Are you always fuming over the mistakes of “dummies” and “idiots”? Have you learned to stop sweating the small stuff? Have you stopped to consider what a poor witness it is to not reflect peace, a fruit of the spirit, in your life? But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this king of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Gal 5:22-23)

Play relaxing music in your car. Avoid talk shows; sometimes, they can increase your vexation. The right music can be a great source of peace in any environment. When Saul was tormented by an evil spirit his servants told him, “Let us find a good musician to play the harp for you whenever the tormenting spirit is bothering you. The harp music will quiet you, and you soon will be well again.” (1 Sam 16:16)

Regarding your domestic environment, no matter what goes on the outside, your home is your refuge and you guard its peace with all your might. You saturate the atmosphere with prayer each day, you communicate effectively, you are far from being selfish or insisting on your way, and you and your family “let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.” (Col 3:15)

Stay the course. Be the light that so shines that others will look at you and desire a relationship with the Lord.

The Lord’s peace, if we have it, will go with us without regard to environment or circumstances. The peace of the Lord passeth all understanding, so can you.