Guidance for Christians in achieving inner peace
A study of the New Testament literature reveals an important relationship between an
individual's fidelity to the requirements of the gospel and their own sense of peace and
wellbeing. In other words, Christians can expect to find inner peace ultimately in and
through living out their vocation as disciples of Jesus Christ and directing their lives
towards the following of his teaching.
Example of Jesus' life
Jesus himself is regarded as the bringer of peace and to live in close relationship to him
and his teaching will allow the follower to experience this peace. Jesus' own life is seen
as a model of living in peace and therefore Christians are encouraged to model their
lives on his example in doing so they will be able to find peace.
The examination of Jesus life and ministry reveals a number of important elements in
achieving this sense of peace and wellbeing. These elements include Jesus' integrity
and fidelity to his mission, his balance of prayer and active ministry and the
communal nature of his work.
A brief reflection on each of these elements will help provide an insight into achieving
inner peace.
Integrity and Fidelity
Effect of compromise
The most basic and fundamental aspect of being at home with oneself and thereby
experiencing peace and wellbeing comes from maintaining a sense of integrity and
fidelity to one's vocation. It would not be possible to achieve inner peace while
experiencing turmoil and inner conflict due to compromising personal values etc.
In his life and ministry, Jesus faced various occasions where it would have been
expedient to turn his back on his vocation and accept a compromise or succumb to a
temptation of selfishness. These temptations are essentially about serving one's self or
avoiding challenging situations. Jesus' example clearly shows the importance of being
true to the values of the gospel and not being prepared to accept compromise. Such
compromise would inevitably erode a sense of inner peace as it amounts to a lack of
integrity and will always result in inner conflict.
Temptation in the wilderness
These types of challenges and temptations can be seen in the accounts of Jesus'
temptation in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry (Matthew 4:1-11 &
Luke 4:1-13). These temptations offer Jesus an easy way out of challenging
circumstances and also encourage him to put himself and his own needs before those of
others. To have accepted these offers would have resulted in Jesus' compromising himself
and losing the sense of peace that arises from integrity.
By refusing to be tempted he retains his integrity and is able to faithfully go about his
ministry. This includes the important element of being able to place his life at the service
of others. This selflessness is a liberating quality which has a significant impact on the
capacity to achieve inner peace.
Christians, therefore, will find guidance in the example of Jesus' life and ministry which
will assist them in achieving inner peace through being faithful to their calling,
maintaining personal integrity and placing the needs of others before their own. These
elements provide a sense of freedom and wellbeing and avoid the kind of inner turmoil
and conflict which arises from selfishness and compromise.
Prayer and Service
Balance of prayer and active ministry
The ministry of Jesus highlights the aspects of prayer and service being kept in
balance. The gospel accounts portray Jesus as a man of prayer who is frequently in
communion with God. These occasions of prayer are particularly evident leading up to
significant moments in his ministry.
Clearly prayer is a vehicle through which Jesus is able to nurture and sustain the
relationship with God which is the source of his wellbeing and inner peace. This
relationship of prayer is something which followers of Jesus are strongly encouraged to
emulate in order achieve this sense of peace and serenity.
For Jesus, prayer is not a withdrawal from the events of daily life but rather an
opportunity to reflect on them and gain strength to face their challenges. Jesus' ministry
conveys a sense of balance between prayer and contemplation on one hand and active
service on the other.
Not in competition
These two elements are seen as complementary, not in competition with one another.
Prayer is seen as an essential adjunct to the active ministry while the ministry is seen as a
practical expression of the life of prayer.
Together the two elements of prayer and service provide important aids for Christians in
the search for inner peace. Prayer enables the Christian to sustain and nurture their
relationship with God. Through prayer they are able to draw meaning and understanding
concerning day to day life as well as gaining strength and inspiration to enable them to
meet daily challenges.
Service flows from prayer
The active component of service flows out of the contemplative element of prayer. The
understanding gained through prayer and reflection informs and guides the Christian to
respond to the call to service. Additionally, the strength and inspiration they gain
through prayer enables them to rise to the challenges they may face in serving others.
Christians are encouraged to find a balance between the contemplative and the active
elements of life. An overemphasis on prayer and contemplation can lead to insularity
while an overemphasis on active service can lead to burn out. Either of these excesses
will undermine the search for an inner peace.
Community
Harmony in community
Another characteristic of Jesus' ministry which is followed by Christians is the element of
community. The Christian community is an important source of help and support and
the unity which can exist in such communities provides tremendous assistance in the
search for inner peace.
Jesus' own community was made up of those who followed him throughout the region of
Galilee and then on into Jerusalem. His community of followers shared a great deal of
his experience, learned from him and supported him in his ministry. Such elements of
sharing, learning and supporting will assist individuals to find a harmony and sense of
purpose in community which assists in the search for inner peace and wellbeing.
Absence or disintegration
The importance of community in the achievement of inner peace can best be illustrated
by the effects of its absence or the effects of its disintegration. The absence of
community leads to isolation and separation. Because people are essentially social by
nature, the absence of meaningful community will inevitably erode their sense of
wellbeing and destroy their inner peace.
Likewise, the breakdown or disintegration of a community through conflict, disunity etc
will also have a negative effect on an individual's sense of wellbeing.
Towards Inner Peace
Prayer, service, ritual and community
For individuals to achieve inner peace, following the example of Jesus is a fruitful and
worthwhile path. Various groups within the Christian tradition will have established
methods of following this example. They will normally include the use of prayer, ritual
and the reading of scripture, the service of others and the participation in community with
those of similar beliefs.
Basic orientation
Creating a basic orientation in life which supports the quest for integrity and fidelity to
the gospel is an important foundational element. It will not be possible to achieve inner
peace while values are seriously compromised.
Maintaining a sound balance between prayer and service is also fundamental to the
quest for a sense of peace and wellbeing. Both prayer and service are essential and each
should support and draw from the other.
Engaging with a local community is also an important element. Communities provide
important occasions of interaction for sharing, for learning and for support. The absence
of meaningful community undermines the possibility of achieving inner peace.