Daily Thought For March 13, 2019
The Peace That Surpasses Understanding
We must try to keep our hearts continually, unshakably serene throughout the vicissitudes of life. Even though everything turns and changes around us, we must ever remain steady-always looking, striving, and aspiring toward God. No matter what course the ship takes, no matter whether it sails to the east, west, north, or south, no matter what winds drive it on, the mariner's needle never points in any direction except toward the polar star. Everything may be topsy-turvy, not only around us, but within us as well. But whether we are sad or happy, full of sweetness or bitterness, at peace or disturbed, filled with light or darkness, troubled or at rest, delighted or disgusted, experiencing aridity or consolation, scorched by the sun or refreshed by the dew-for all that, the fine point of our heart, our spirit, our higher will, which is our compass, must ever look and tend toward the love of God, its Creator, its Savior, its sole and sovereign good.
"Whether we live or whether we die," says the apostle, "if we belong to God, who shall separate us from the love and charity of God?" No, nothing shall ever separate us from this love, neither trials nor anguish, neither death nor life, neither present sorrow nor fear of future troubles, not the wiles of evil spirits, neither the height of consolation nor the depth of affliction, neither consolation nor dryness must ever separate us from that holy charity which is rooted in Jesus Christ.
St. Francis de Sales Golden Counsels pp.12-13