A Season of Grief and Healing, Stage 6: Finding Meaning in Peace

Second Sunday of Advent

By Kam Cook

Stephen Ministry Coordinator

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulder. And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
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 (John 14:27).

Grief is an intense emotional response to the pain of loss, a reflection of a connection that has been broken; grief is the emotional, spiritual and psychological journey towards healing. Embracing the uniqueness of each individual’s grief affirms our feelings and ultimately gives us a profound sense of peace.

Paradoxically, peace lies in the center of pain. When you let your feelings out – feel them to the fullest - they lose their power over you, but when you hold your feelings inside – try to control them – they tighten their grip on you. The only way out of pain is through it. You must feel pain before you can feel the release that follows.

The Hebrew word Shalom is translated as “peace,” but its connotation is much broader than lack of conflict. Synonyms include well-being, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility. The Prince of Peace came into the world to bring peace, but peace on earth is only possible when our hearts find peace. Jesus offers us the gift of peace, but we have to be willing to rid ourselves of all that gets in the way of us accepting it by seeking inner peace and peace with others.

We are constantly fighting anxiety, stress, and inner turmoil, and we desperately need inner peace to help us through the difficult circumstances of life. Trust in Jesus restores our right relationship with God and gives us peace of mind. Over the past months, our grief has often caused us to be mad with ourselves and with God for allowing the troubles that have beset HHBC. We must forgive ourselves for our perceived sins of commission and omission and ask God to forgive our anger. Peace of mind will occur when we trust that God can heal our hearts, this church, and our broken world.

We go through many challenges in this life, and one of the most difficult is when our relationships are in turmoil. That’s when we need to ask Jesus – the Prince of Peace – to come and bring peace to our relationships, to reconcile and to restore them. Matthew 5:9 tells us: Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God. We must be willing to put aside our differences and become peacemakers. Although we won’t forget, we need to move forward by forgiving those we hold responsible for the loss of our beloved staff and for the changes that have occurred as a result of that loss.

In Luke 2:14, the angels proclaimed “Peace on earth, goodwill towards men” to the shepherds that first Christmas Eve. Just as the wise men went searching for the newborn King of the Jews, we too seek our Prince of Peace; in seeking Him, we find Him; in finding Him, we find rest for our souls – we find the “Peace that passes all understanding.”

Grant that we may become instruments of peace in our hearts, our church, and our world.Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. And where there is sadness, only joy. - Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

If you are seeking the “Peace that passes all understanding” – either inner peace and/or a resolution to conflict with others-a trained Stephen Minister is available to walk alongside you on your quest. For more information on how Stephen Ministry can provide you with confidential, nonjudgmental one-to-one lay pastoral care, contact Referrals Coordinator Peggy Williams at (478) 719-3340 orpjwms12@gmail.com.

Recognizing that God is the ultimate Cure Giver, the Mission of the Highland Hills Baptist Church Stephen Ministry is to serve God and bring Christ’s healing love to individuals who are experiencing life’s challenges through confidential, non-judgmental, one-on-one Christian care.