“Rather, God has commissioned us as agents of intervention in the midst of a hostile and broken world” ~ Philip Yancey

It is consistently painful hearing and watching the news. It seems like we live in a world where feeling safe, happy or peaceful, is not a reasonable possibility. Catastrophic weather patterns, violence in the name of God or religion. Hatred and disharmony is a way of life.

Being a Christian for many years,  I often want to share the kind of peace I find in just having faith in the unseen, hope in something so much bigger than the world I inhabit. I don’t want to ever be the crazy Christian, screaming my beliefs at people in my life and even less in the subways or streets. I once heard a pastor say “don’t be a crazy Christian, be someone so bright with Gods love that people will feel his love through you.”
I am human and even with so much faith, I often feel overwhelmed with the brokenness of our world. I often feel such enormous sorrow and such a weight at what I see and hear — feeling so helpless in promoting change and making a difference. Wanting so very much to live in a very different world. Somehow, though, I have found a way to stay positive and even spread a bit of it.

There is an internal peace that I carry. A shield of armor that allows me to walk and live with a light, loving and grace filled heart.

I can only explain that it comes from God. There is a grace of peace that comes from knowing him and knowing that I am cared for and protected. He gives me the ability to speak the language of love and in doing so, I am able to share it.

Whatever you believe in my loves, let the unknown mercy of something bigger than yourself give you hope. I speak to many who believe and many who don’t and even some who believe in something –but are just not sure what that something is. The one consistent thing I see, is that those who believe in God or something bigger than what is seen, tend to be less anxious, handle difficult times with more ease and typically tend to maintain an attitude of hope and positivity.

Being a Christian does not spare you from feeling lost, scared or even helpless. I have to work very hard through, prayer, meditation, and even in doing good deeds to spare myself these feelings. My dears, this world is not for the weak at heart, we must constantly seek out all our internal hidden ammunition and not surrender to depression and feelings of hopelessness. It is a real challenge — Every. Single. Day. Even for those who are well armed and have a hefty reserve of emotional ammunition, it is challenging.

Here are some things that help connect us to that ammunition:

* Disconnect or decrease the amount of Screen time – Whether it is television or your access to electronics. Bad news is everywhere and it seems that it spreads like wild fire.

* Meditate – lately, I have been using the App Insight Timer (it’s free). You can can do as little as 5 minutes in the early morning (I find it wonderful before the sun comes up) and then 5 minutes before bed (when the sun goes down) — you can meditate as long as you are able to. I have found it useful, to find a quiet place at lunch time and meditate in the middle of the day as well.

* Plug in to some relaxation/yoga music. It helps to ease your mind and reduce negative thoughts.

* Spend time in nature; close your eyes, let your senses reconnect with the earth. Let yourself feel the breeze on your skin, the sun on your face, the sounds of nature sing to you. Hear, smell, feel all that is natural and a gift to us humans.

* If you don’t pray, read a daily healing devotional to start your day and then spend some quiet time reflecting on how you feel and focus on self-love and sending out love. If you pray, make it a daily habit. Not left for just the moments of despair. Praying daily keeps us

* Try to only engage in positive talk with people. Negativity leads to increase heart rate, ill feelings and more negativity.

* With kindness and gentleness, eliminate toxic people from your life. Engage only when absolutely necessary.

* Most importantly, be purposeful and convicted in giving Love, Kindness and Compassion. Give all three with deep generosity.

The world is broken in so many many ways but it does not have to dictate your inner joy or peace. It can pass through you and then you can release it back to the universe. Do not hang on to it. All things come and they go. Be the light in a dark world. Choose to heal the space around you by being a reflection of loving grace and universal compassion. Let it begin and end with you.

With Love, Light and Joy ~

Maria