LOSTONE Posted June 27, 2014 Posted June 27, 2014 We all most likely know we live in a fallen world and it will only get worst. For many of us, this reality goes beyond just the knowledge of such things, but straight into the daily struggles of living of it. For so many of us, we are alone in this fallen world, struggling to find peace and joy. We have no one there to help or support us. No real family or friends connection. It’s sad, but this is the true harsher reality of life for so many out there. Me for one. Add to this harsher reality financial struggles, health struggles ( physical / emotional ), spiritual struggles and reality can easily become way overwhelming to deal with on a daily basis. Almost impossible to survive daily, much less find peace and joy in our lives. So... How does one who stands alone with such harsh realities find peace and joy? Hope? Is hope alone enough? Church? Is church enough? How do we....?
rpn Posted June 27, 2014 Posted June 27, 2014 I think there is lots of peace in knowing Heavenly Parents and our Savior created us and placed us here to succeed in learning what we need to know to return to Heavenly Father. There is peace in understanding the Plan for us. There is peace in knowing that They personally know us and what we are doing in each moment and are our biggest cheerleaders. But I don't think church is enough. Hope and that eternal knowledge can help. But I think we need to serve others and be served by others. Sometimes this never results in making a new "family". But lots of times, when we serve others, even in small ways, we make friends and create a routine that gives meaning to our lives.
Garden Girl Posted June 27, 2014 Posted June 27, 2014 (edited) Hello Lostone...Numerous times when listening to the news of the day, when viewing the "world," I am left with a sense that things are really spiraling downward... and the most peace, joy, and comfort comes from immersing myself in the scriptures, and through prayer. One of my favorite passages: John 14:26-27... "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name (Christ's), he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." I can't tell you how often I have turned to this passage as I have prayed, and have found the peace and comfort promised. Many other scriptures bring peace and comfort when I need them: John 15:10-11... "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 16:33... "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world, ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." And from the Book of Mormon... Alma 38:8... "....But behold, I did cry unto Him and I did find peace to my soul." Alma 58:11... "Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance." And from Doctrine & Covenants... Section 59:23... "But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come." Section 121:7-8... "My son (Joseph Smith), peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." These are a few of the scriptures that bring me comfort when faced with the "world" or adversities... the older I get the more I seem to keep a prayer in my heart... it's just there... and I feel that peace that is promised... and the comfort of the Spirit... So, I encourage you to continue on... endure it well... from the beach on a rainy Pacific Northwest day... GG edit to add: And I agree with rpn that service to others can bring us joy... Edited June 27, 2014 by Garden Girl
The Nehor Posted June 27, 2014 Posted June 27, 2014 While God gives some peace tribulation is the default in this life. We have hope but only hope for a better world will be fulfilled fully; our hopes for this life are often frustrated. 1
saemo Posted June 27, 2014 Posted June 27, 2014 (edited) We all most likely know we live in a fallen world and it will only get worst. For many of us, this reality goes beyond just the knowledge of such things, but straight into the daily struggles of living of it. For so many of us, we are alone in this fallen world, struggling to find peace and joy. We have no one there to help or support us. No real family or friends connection. It’s sad, but this is the true harsher reality of life for so many out there. Me for one. Add to this harsher reality financial struggles, health struggles ( physical / emotional ), spiritual struggles and reality can easily become way overwhelming to deal with on a daily basis. Almost impossible to survive daily, much less find peace and joy in our lives. So... How does one who stands alone with such harsh realities find peace and joy? Hope? Is hope alone enough? Church? Is church enough? How do we....?I never felt so alone, or so lonely, as I did during the time I was discerning whether or not to convert to Catholicism. While that loneliness was there, it was also a time of peace and joy. Joy in coming to know Jesus, and a real sense of coming home. I am alone in my faith still. My entire extended family are Mormons, or angry ex-Mormons. Mormonism, being the center of how they define their spirituality or rejection of it. My immediate family are all atheists. So, it's just me. I was looking at the crucifix in our church not too long ago, thinking how alone Jesus was on the Cross. So I give my loneliness to Him, when it comes around, and join my life to His. I don't know of any other answer than that. Hope has a name: Jesus Christ. It is in communion with Him that we are joined as one body. So, we are alone, together. Edited June 27, 2014 by saemo 1
LOSTONE Posted June 28, 2014 Author Posted June 28, 2014 Thank you all for taking the time and energy to share your insights on this subject. It so does help me alot as I am sure it helps others as they read your replies.I make no secret about it. I am struggling in my faith and seeking more than what I already know. I want to believe and feel I am where I need to be and know what I need to know in my faith walk, but also I want to feel like I belong and wanted where I am at or end up being.
rpn Posted June 28, 2014 Posted June 28, 2014 And if and when you come to a place emotionally and spiritually where you will be okay just in your relationship to God, even if there is never any earthly support, you may well experience a kind of freedom that will allow you to act in ways that will bring you joy. The Job story tells about how this works. 1
BouncingSouls Posted July 3, 2014 Posted July 3, 2014 For me, I have truely found happiness. I was unhappy with my life in certain situations for a very long time. I took control and decided to make these changes. I dont dwell on things, I find the positive in ever situation. When I am down, I make a point of it to go out and do something to take my mind off the situation.
Walden Posted July 3, 2014 Posted July 3, 2014 We all most likely know we live in a fallen world and it will only get worst. For many of us, this reality goes beyond just the knowledge of such things, but straight into the daily struggles of living of it. For so many of us, we are alone in this fallen world, struggling to find peace and joy. We have no one there to help or support us. No real family or friends connection. It’s sad, but this is the true harsher reality of life for so many out there. Me for one. Add to this harsher reality financial struggles, health struggles ( physical / emotional ), spiritual struggles and reality can easily become way overwhelming to deal with on a daily basis. Almost impossible to survive daily, much less find peace and joy in our lives. So... How does one who stands alone with such harsh realities find peace and joy? Hope? Is hope alone enough? Church? Is church enough? How do we....? Acceptance of the Four Noble Truths and the alignment of my life with the Eightfold Path has brought much peace to my life.
Kenngo1969 Posted July 3, 2014 Posted July 3, 2014 While God gives some peace tribulation is the default in this life. We have hope but only hope for a better world will be fulfilled fully; our hopes for this life are often frustrated.Too true.
Kenngo1969 Posted July 3, 2014 Posted July 3, 2014 I'm reminded of the line from the film, God's Army. Elder Allen tells Elder Dalton of his chaotic home life, and how his mom traded in his birth father for a stepfather who was even worse. Dalton says, "At least your real Father is there for you." Puzzled and indignant, Allen replies, "I haven't seen him in 13 years." Glancing upward to drive home his point, Dalton replies, "I was talking about your Real Father." For what it's worth. I wish you well.
rpn Posted July 4, 2014 Posted July 4, 2014 And serving others is a solid way to improve one's feelings of sadness or loneliness.
Kenngo1969 Posted July 6, 2014 Posted July 6, 2014 And serving others is a solid way to improve one's feelings of sadness or loneliness.That's true ... provided one has sufficient impetus from a psychological and emotional standpoint to make it happen. If not, one may, for a time, need less to serve than to be served. Hopefully, we can be in tune and sensitive enough to the needs of those around us to recognize when they're in the latter category rather than the former. 1
Buzzard Posted July 6, 2014 Posted July 6, 2014 I'm nobody special, everyone experiences adversity of some sort, so please don't think I am glorying or bragging about what I have gone through. But since 2003, I have lost three jobs, a child, been operated on four times, died once (but only for a few minutes so that hardly counts), and was told in 2010 that I had two years to live. I am still under the cloud of an ultimately fatal medical condition. Also in 2010, medical expenses and the collapse of a business forced me into bankruptcy. So it's fair to say it's been a rough ride at times.But it has also been a time of blessing. My daughter completed her degree and an honorable mission, I finally found steady employment, and I have outlived my original prognosis by over two years. Plus, while I certainly have health issues, I am able to work, to get outdoors to hike and fish, and to be with and enjoy my wife and family. I was even able last fall to return to my old mission field with my family. It is hard to describe how grateful I am to my Heavenly Father for the gift he has given me in these last few years of an absolute conviction of the gospel and his personal love for me, which has often been the only way I have gotten from some sun ups to sundowns. That might sound trite or self serving, but it's the only way I can think of to put it. 3
Tacenda Posted July 6, 2014 Posted July 6, 2014 I'm nobody special, everyone experiences adversity of some sort, so please don't think I am glorying or bragging about what I have gone through.But since 2003, I have lost three jobs, a child, been operated on four times, died once (but only for a few minutes so that hardly counts), and was told in 2010 that I had two years to live. I am still under the cloud of an ultimately fatal medical condition. Also in 2010, medical expenses and the collapse of a business forced me into bankruptcy. So it's fair to say it's been a rough ride at times.But it has also been a time of blessing. My daughter completed her degree and an honorable mission, I finally found steady employment, and I have outlived my original prognosis by over two years. Plus, while I certainly have health issues, I am able to work, to get outdoors to hike and fish, and to be with and enjoy my wife and family. I was even able last fall to return to my old mission field with my family.It is hard to describe how grateful I am to my Heavenly Father for the gift he has given me in these last few years of an absolute conviction of the gospel and his personal love for me, which has often been the only way I have gotten from some sun ups to sundowns. That might sound trite or self serving, but it's the only way I can think of to put it.Awesome is all I can say.
Recommended Posts