The Problem is Not Out There

If your heart is not at peace, something is wrong inside of you. These words are not to rebuke or judge but to show where peace is found and how to obtain it. The natural tendency is to find something or someone to blame for our pain. But if we truly want to be healed, we will stop blaming and projecting our problems onto others. 

When we touch a hot stove top, the burning pain is there to warn us. It tells us to move our hand. The same is true for our feelings and psychological pain. The pain is simply a warning sign. Something inside needs to shift, change, or move. We change our situation from the inside out. 

We all feel pain and turmoil. Pain can be very beneficial in helping us learn. Those who experience the greatest abuses and contradictions, have the greatest opportunity for growth.

When we say things like why me?  Or life isn’t fair. Remember some of the worst things happen to some of the best people. Life isn't fair because you have expectations. The key to happiness is letting go of expectations and dealing with what is in front of you. Life is tough, it is cruel at times, but there is also great capacity for happiness, even joy.

What’s the benefit of knowing pain is my great teacher? If I know I am supposed to learn from my pain, I can choose to be a good student. I can do something about it. If pain is just random suffering, then I am powerless. 

. . . though he was a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. Hebrews 1:12

. . . And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the Celestial Kingdom, otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself. And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it must needs be by the things which they suffer. T&C 107: 1

Obedience to what? Jesus encourages us to be obedient to the laws of happiness. . . “Men are that they might have joy . . . “ 2 Nephi 1:10. When we are out of harmony with the laws of happiness, we experience pain. We are born into a world of pain. We all have different pain to work through. The purpose of life is to get better as soon as possible and be happy. 

We can do something about our pain. We can shift, move, and change. This is easier said than done, but totally in our control. Jesus has all power to lead us through the healing process if we will only ask for His help and follow His counsel. 

Healing starts with forgiving ourselves. We can’t do anything about the past except learn from it, and sometimes we can reconcile our mistakes with others. Don’t spend much time fretting about the past. Put your behind in your past. 

We also get to forgive others. Forgiveness has little to do with the other person. To withhold forgiveness only damages us. When we recognize we are all in a learning process, it makes it easier to give up a grudge. Being angry is a waste of time and energy.  A heart at peace is so much more desirable. 

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you — not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. “ John 9:9

The Lord’s presence brings peace and understanding. Peace is the one feeling the devil cannot imitate. If you are in turmoil, go inside and fix the problem. Call on the Lord to help guide you through the process. The problem is not out there. It is inside you, and you have power to be healed.