Bringing calm to all kinds of storms

The path to conflict resolution

By Herb Huebsch

Wouldn't it be nice to stroll through life calmly and serenely no matter what comes along? While that might seem unachievable, there is a lot a person can do to have the kind of peace that difficult circumstances simply can't take away.

The Psalmist tells us how: "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! ... He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven" (Ps. 107:21, 29, 30). The conviction that we are accompanied at all times by an all-powerful, loving Father-Mother God encourages us to turn to Him when we are stressed or troubled, and provides the calm and wise thoughts needed to master the stress and eliminate the trouble.

At one time, the school board in our district decided on a policy that many teachers thought would damage the quality of education for the entire area. The faculty presidents held an emergency meeting. Various attitudes were expressed: "There's nothing we can do. They are determined to go ahead with this plan." "It's a disaster and our hands are tied." "They're telling us that if we don't like it, we can find another job." Everyone was upset. But one faculty president had another view. He said, "Let's go think about this one more time and meet tomorrow."

At home, he prayed. "Father-Mother, I know You are the Maker of all and You would not cause anguish for any of Your children. So there must be a solution. I know that You are communicating this solution to all of us and that it will bless everyone, for You never set Your children one against another. I know that if we approach each other with genuine love rather than with despair or disrespect, we can find unity."

There is a lot a person can do to have the kind of peace that difficult circumstances can't take away.

This person knew that there is only one God, one Mind, which is never in contention with itself, and that man is the expression of this one Mind. As a result there is always a place of calm and oneness that can be found between warring parties. All people, whether they recognize it or not, are unified, since oneness comes from the fact that we are all the offspring of the same wise and loving Father-Mother. We are God's likeness, so we have the same wise and loving nature as God. It occurred to this individual that there was at least one point that the board of education and the school faculties could agree on—they all wanted the best education for the children.

He noticed that, once he was working from this point of clarity, the communications between the contending parties began to express more of their common goal. Mutual respect and calm was restored. Before long a solution was found that both sides could support.

We do have a choice: storm or calm. Turning to God, acknowledging His wise and loving nature, and ours, blesses everyone.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

They are God's beloved children!

February 8, 1999

Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit