Quia fecisti nos ad Te, et inquietum est cor nostrum donec requiescat in Te.
“You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.”
With these famous opening words of the Confessions, St. Augustine frames any genuine inquiry into the nature of inner peace.
The desire for inner peace is written upon our very nature. Although many individuals make choices that result in internal disorder and even chaos, these decisions are often driven by a misguided understanding of what truly brings fulfillment.
Christmas is universally celebrated, but its timing imposes unique pressures on those in the southern hemisphere—pressures not equally shared by those in the north. Many families are struggling to make ends meet due to soaring power prices and the government’s commitment to zero net target. Balancing the demands of long summer holidays for our children, potentially taking them on vacations, and then preparing them to return to school, all while confronting the mounting credit card bills from this period, is a significant concern for many.
All of this can keep the residents of the Land Down Under up at night. A considerable number of them can only dream of sinking into slumber, tossing and turning until morning. According to recent reports, more than half of Australian adults experience at least one chronic sleep-related symptom that undermines their ability to maintain a healthy and fulfilling life.
Let me now shift my thoughts to the Northern Hemisphere, where, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, approximately 12% of Americans suffer from chronic insomnia—a disorder that can itself be a manifestation of depression. Of course, depression is far more likely to follow insomnia than the other way around. A substantial number of these work second jobs, many as single mothers or single fathers. To put it briefly, the concerns currently weighing on Americans’ minds—job insecurity, finances, politics, and more—are all contributing to dangerously restless nights.
Even though the two countries are thousands of kilometres apart—practically waving at each other from opposite sides of the planet—their people still struggle with nighttime rumination and anxiety. And both non-believers and believers—sometimes even Catholics—yearn to regularly sleep like a log, seeking a decent rest without turning to pharmaceutical backup.
Various “experts” suggest as a remedy listening to all sorts of meditation, deep breathing exercises, biofeedback, and neurofeedback. “Your breath is always with you, and both yoga and meditation practices harness the power of breath control to help shift your state of mind.” All you have to do when you find yourself on a New York Subway, surrounded by people and noise, is close your eyes, and the problem disappears like a bubble. For many people, these meditative activities seem completely harmless, but some Christians argue that they can open a person to a spiritual realm forbidden by the Creator.
Jesus said to His disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” (Jn. 14:27). Only God can give you inner peace.
Archbishop Fulton Sheen was profoundly convinced of this truth. In his work, Peace of Soul, the prolific theologian and masterful spiritual director asserts that inner peace cannot come from the person, any more than the person can lift himself by his own ears. Help must come from without; it must not be merely human help, but Divine help.
A plethora of saints, blessed, and servants of God indeed emphasized the importance of inner peace, often regarding it as essential to spiritual growth and closeness to God. For many of them, this type of peace is a precious pearl that must be guarded more than anything else. Here are some remarkable figures, alongside quotations:
“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.” – St. Francis de Sales
“O Jesus, I ask but Peace…Peace, and above all, Love…Love—without limit.” – St. Thérèse of Lisieux
“O Jesus! Who knows how important is this peace to us; do Thou incite Christians to strive to gain it!” – St. Teresa of Avila
“When I submit to the holy will of my God, a deep peace floods my soul.” – St. Faustina Kowalska
“Don’t worry to the point of losing your inner peace. Pray with perseverance, with faith, with calmness and serenity.” – St. Padre Pio
“Unless souls are saved, nothing is saved. There can be no world peace unless there is soul peace.” – Ven. Fulton Sheen
It is inconceivable to oscillate between incessant social engagements, driven by the cacophony of noise, the relentless pursuit of success, and career ambitions, while simultaneously seeking refuge in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, attuned to His divine words and the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, and experiencing profound peace. As Christians are but sojourners in this world, it is imperative for them to cultivate a degree of detachment from worldly affairs, for God has chosen them as His first fruits (Jn. 15:19).
One must not attempt to serve two masters. For sanity’s sake, we need to find ways of fostering inner peace and avoiding the slavery of news addiction, for we all are created in the image and likeness of God, whom the fallen angels despise and long ago vowed to annihilate.
The gift of genuine inner peace is one of the most evident indicators that we are on the right track and making sound decisions. When we choose to follow the will of God each day, despite the difficulty and initial sacrifices such choices may entail, peace guides us to the will of God, and the will of God leads us to peace. The Virgin Mary was a beacon of inner peace, for she lived in constant communion with God, who continually dwells within her.
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk. 1:38)
On a personal note: I too wrestled with this problem until I understood the crucial role of information hygiene—the mind isn’t a trash bin, and it really does matter what we throw into it.
Gradually, I came to recognize that while confession and regular adoration of the Blessed Sacrament are foundational, they may not be sufficient on their own. A detailed, individual discernment of God’s will emerges as the sine qua non for lasting inner peace. Sometimes, of course, Jesus permits a lack of sleep, but even then, a deep peace remains in the heart.
Reflecting on inner peace, I turn to St. Teresa of Avila, whose words of wisdom can become a spiritual compass:
Let nothing disturb you;
Let nothing make you afraid;
All things are passing;
God alone is changeless;
Patience gains all things;
Whoever has God wants nothing;
God alone suffices.
May everyone enjoy profound peace this Christmas season.
Photo by Marin Tulard on Unsplash
