Peace and Quiet

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:1-4 ESV).

 

I don’t know how many pictures of the Little Pigeon River in the Smoky Mountains I have taken over the last five decades. The one I have attached here was chosen simply because it evoked a sense of peace and quiet when I was browsing through the files. Peace and quiet is in high demand, especially in the high stress and anxiety of our present day.

 

I’m sure you’ve been there though… worn out at the end of the day, seeking some calm and rest at home. But then peace is the last thing you find when you walk into the room. The chaos may be from family squabbles, unresolved issues from a difficult day of work, or any sundry of other sources.

 

Inevitable the thought courses through your mind: “Can’t I have a little peace around here?” It may be because of some unfulfilled desires in your heart. In fact, our reading today indicates that most conflict comes from unmet wants in your innermost being, a lack of satisfaction with what you have. That does not in any way diminish the intensity of your frustration, nor does it mean there is something evil lurking in your heart. Most of the time it simply means we need a reminder of Who really is the source of peace and quiet.

 

Of course, some desires, such as greed, revenge, and lust are obviously wrong. Other desires are good. These are things like a loving spouse, obedient children, loyal friends, and a good-paying job. But even the good desires can become sources of conflict when they take control of our thinking, deciding, and feeling. Watch out when “I desire” becomes “I need” or “I deserve” and then “I demand”. Often that thinking leads to the attitude of “I will attack anyone who gets in my way.” We must ask ourselves two questions: Is my desire for God’s presence, love, and power greater than anything else? And are my wants the same as what God wants for my life? Paul testified, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…  I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12-13). Make that your prayer and much of the chaos will dissipate. He’s got this!