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IN EVERY AGITATION, SEEK A 'CALM ZONE' INSIDE AND THE VOICE OF GOD WILL SPEAK THROUGH AND FOR YOU

The Spirit of God is a spirit of peace, and He speaks and acts in peace and gentleness, says a priest named Jacques Philippe, in a new book of note: In the School of the Holy Spirit.

Underscore his words: the motions of God are delicate touches; they don't make noise; and they can penetrate our spiritual consciousness only if we have within us a sort of calm "zone," and tranquility.

In other words: don't cause yourself trouble. Don't let agitation inside make it difficult to hear His still, small Voice (I Kings 19:12).

How to reach the calm zone?

It is a gradual process, this priest points out. We have to work at it. We have to desire it. We have to orient toward it. We have to pray for it.

And we have to achieve the ability to block out troublesome thoughts (which so often come from the enemy -- or should we say: the Agitator).

It is true: If we don't seek peace of mind actively,  "in all circumstances," we lose direct contact with the Lord.

In spite of everything, make this effort. (An effort it is!)

But what results.

We have to practice peace. We have to hold it as a goal. When we don't we react to situations in a human, agitated, hasty way.

That causes a mess, as well as interior turmoil.

"It isn't easy," writes the priest (we'll make his book available shortly), "but by practicing hope in God, abandonment, humility, and the acceptance of our inner poverty through an unshakeable truth in God's Mercy, we will reach peace little by little."

Don't you hate that feeling of losing peace? Yet, it happens every day all day. The devil's playground (or rather, battlefield) is the mind.

As John of the Cross said, "Take care to preserve your heart in peace; let no happening of this world upset it." When you have peace, you have faith. Watch God answer wondrously!

Stop being a perfectionist.

Perfection does not exist on earth.

Struggle does (and joy in those struggles!).

A harm it is, notes Father Philippe, to upset ourselves and lose the "impulses" of the Holy Spirit.

"Maintaining peace is linked to the practice of silence," he says in his potent little book. "This silence is not an empty silence: it is peace, attentiveness to God's Presence, and attentiveness to others, waiting in hope and trust in God."

When someone accuses or insults you, be as silent as you can; wait on God to instruct you. Be a person of few words. When He does instruct you, the timing will be potent. One word will have more of an effect than dozens formulated out of fear, worry, frustration, or anger. Never talk through those emotions! You will be speaking out of weakness.

Silence is the opposite of dissipation. It creates the capacity -- the room -- for God to operate within you.

And when He is with you, no one can be against.

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