The Availability of Peace

 

I'm about 3/4 of the way through the book, "Lark Rise To Candleford." Many people would recognise the name, as the BBC turned the book into a very good TV series. I had believed the book was based on fiction, due in part to the fact that it was on television. I was pleased to read though, about halfway through the book, that it is in fact an autobiography written by Flora Jane Thompson, based entirely on her experiences growing up in a Victorian countryside hamlet near Oxfordshire. I really admire the simple lifestyles that are portrayed and the singularity in thought. The people in that time faced a great deal of hardship and lack, but they did their best and didn't think themselves half as hard done by as my generation seems to think of themselves. 

Flora writes, "Their favourite virtue was endurance. Not to flinch from pain or hardship was their ideal... A woman would say, 'I set up wi' my poor old mother six nights runnin'; never had me clothes off. But I didn't flinch, an' I pulled her through, for she didn't flinch neither.' Or a young wife would say to the midwife after her first confinement, 'I didn't flinch, did I? Oh, I do hope I didn't flinch.'" 

Compared to our current culture where being a victim is en vogue, this is so refreshing. To overcome. To endure with dignity. 

It's also tempting to believe that because of their simple lifestyles, these people had less difficulty to deal with than we do.

All in all, there is nothing new under the sun. People have had difficulty, temptation, sickness, disease, strife, worry, anxiety as long as any of us can remember. We have all striven for (even if we don't recognise it) an abundant life. What does that look like? On the outside, I'm sure living abundantly looks differently for each person. At the core of the abundant life though, is the availability of hope, peace and joy in the midst of stress and distress. How available is peace to you? Or hope? Or joy? I mean, it's easy to be content when things are going well. But what about when the circumstances are completely out of your control, what then? I'm grateful for the Christian beliefs that I hold to, that Jesus stands in the gap for me and for all who turn away from their sinful nature, believe and receive Him. I can cast my cares on Him and hold fast to the peace and joy that surpasses all earthly understanding, because my hope and trust is in God. I hugged a widow yesterday who just lost her precious husband to a quick and painful illness. As I hugged her, she said, "It's okay!" And she meant it! She isn't removed from the painful and chaotic reality of losing her partner, but the lasting joy and the peace that she has is very real. And she has a dignity as she endures each moment. 

I pray that I have dignity and long suffering in the midst of trial. I know myself well enough to know that I would fold under hardship by myself, but because of the availability of hope, the availability of peace, I can withstand. I hope it's the same for you, dear reader. 

Be blessed!