ACIM Lesson 185: I want the peace of God.
"To say these words is nothing. But to mean these words is everything. If you could but mean them for just an instant, there would be no further sorrow possible for you in any form; in any place or time... These words do not request another dream be given us. They do not ask for compromise, nor try to make another bargain in the hope that there may yet be one that can succeed where all the rest have failed... Consider but what you believe will comfort you, and bring you happiness... one question should be asked of all of them, 'Is this what I would have, in place of Heaven and the peace of God?'"
This week has felt challenging, not only personally, but I've seen some friends going through some difficult times also. Yet, ACIM Lesson 185 has become a bit of a mantra for me when my thoughts are feeling unsettled - "I want the peace of God."
As the lesson says, to say the words isn't much but to mean them can erase all sorrow as it releases the judgments of what "should" or "shouldn't be." It releases the thoughts that the external world, external circumstances rule my internal experience. What brings me peace and happiness is never material possessions, events or relationships with other "people." Rather, the peace of God comes from knowing that I am a child of God and am already home in the arms of God.
Some say that heaven is a state of mind, while hell is the pain we bring when we fight with our thoughts. I don't think heaven and hell are limited to the functioning of our minds, but rather the awareness of what is true or not. When I begin to judge the world I am seemingly in and think it can control me, I am forgetting that I alone rule my mind. I have forgotten that Holy Spirit has gently planned my experiences for my good. I have forgotten that God is Love and therefore so am I.
As I went through the last few days, I realized that I was trying to base my happiness on external circumstances. I was wanting to make things go as I want to in the future though at the moment I have no control of that. So, I said today (and meant it as much as I was able to!), "I don't care about anything else! I want the peace of God."
I want the peace of God more than I want a piece of chocolate. I want the peace of God more than I want a new outfit. I want the peace of God more than I want to be in relationship with certain people. I want the peace of God. That is my choice. That is my priority and as I move into that, I am able to better release my attachment to anything else as it doesn't really matter that much. God's will for me is perfect happiness, as well as it is God's will for you. I want to be happy and I'm willing to let go of the things that make me unhappy. What things are you choosing to hold onto, substituting them for the peace of God?