An individual comes to truly desire peace in their own life
True Desire
An individual truly desires peace in their own life when they desire the benefits of resolving a conflict more than the benefits of not resolving it.
True desire can be contrasted with partial desire, which is when an individual desires, to some degree, the benefits of resolving a conflict, but still desires the benefits of not resolving the conflict more. An example would be an alcoholic that may very well desire the benefits of quitting drinking (ex. better family life, job performance, health, etc.), but continues to desire the benefits of drinking more. In such a case, the conflict is rationalized and left unresolved: they continue to drink.
True desire manifests itself as a continual and permanent disposition to resolve the conflict; in other words, when true desire is present, resolving the conflict becomes a top priority in the individual's life.
True desire comes from the heart.
In My Case
I did not consciously realize that it was peace I desired until years into the P4 Process - I actually thought I was searching for "happiness".
I mention this because I think that many people who arrive at this first step aren't conscious of their true desire for "peace": they know that they truly desire something - "joy," "truth," "purpose," "their true self" - but they may not name it as "peace".
Whether the individual names their desire "peace" or not doesn't really matter. What matters (as we are about to find out) is that their heart knows what they need... and it is peace.
In Scripture
"Let us, then, make it our aim to work for peace" (Christian Prayer, Rom 14:19).
In Medjugorje
"Peace, peace, peace - and only peace!" (Messages, June 26, 1981) |
