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The "Remedy" for a World in Need of Peace
By Dcn. Jim Corder

When it comes to peace, are you part of the problem or are you part of the "Remedy"? Jason Mraz has a great idea on how to bring about peace in a world of fear. His message is that peace is really up to us. So let's consider his prescription for the remedy.

Fear of Violence

Many of us feel like there is too much violence in the world. There are too many bombs and guns being used in Baghdad, Afghanistan and the war-torn area surrounding the Holy Land. But we also feel helpless, and ask questions like "What can I do?"

The remedy is the experience. It is a dangerous liaison.
I say the comedy is that it's serious. Which is a strange enough new play on words.
I say the tragedy is how you're gonna spend the rest of your nights with the light on.
So shine the light on all of your friends because it all amounts to nothing in the end.

Jason Mraz is sharing the "Remedy" of how to repond to the fear and violence in our world:

1) Understand that peace means we address the fear in our own lives.
2) Treat People with kindness and with compassion.
3) Pray for peace in our world and in our hearts.

We must understand that peace starts with our attitudes. It is how we address the fears we have that determines how we react to the rest of the world around us.

Responding to Fear

Mraz has a great insight into how violence is so much a part of our world today. Think about all of our experiences when it comes to violence. Most of the time when people respond to others with violence or with a lack of compassion, it is out of some sort of fear.

How do you respond to the fears you have? Mraz suggests that fear can get such a hold on us, that we can be controlled by it. ( ... the tragedy is that your gonna spend the rest of your nights with the lights on)

We must understand that when we respond to our fears, we usually end up overreacting to a particular situation. We don't usually make the best decisions when our fears and doubts are in control.

Violence or Kindness?

I heard two men talking on the radio in a crossfire kind of new reality show.
Uncovering the ways to plan the next big attack they were counting down the days to stab the brother in the be right back after this the unavoidable kiss, where the minty fresh death breath is sure to outlast his catastrophe.

Sometimes we think of violent actions as the way we hurt others. The truth is our mouths can cut others as deeply as any knife.

How do I speak or act towards other people? Mraz tells us to "shine the light on all of your friends." The general principle is that if we want kindness and compassion, then we need to treat everyone that way. But it is always easy to be kind to people who are kind to you. The challenge is to react positively to those who treat us unkindly.

Here is something I want you to try. The next time someone treats you with harshness, rather than respond to them with the same, treat them in the most compassionate ways possible. Treat them so kindly that you win by melting their coldness with your warmth. Imagine if everyone would try to approach others like this. The world would be a much different place!

Free Will -- Poison or Remedy?

...something on the surface it kind of makes me nervous who says that you deserve this and what kind of god would serve this? We will cure this dirty old disease if you've got the poison I've got the remedy

Sometimes we wonder why God allows such awful events to happen in our world. What we have to remember though is that our God has given us this thing called free will. The problem is that not everyone uses their free will to control themselves, but rather choose to act or say things that are hurtful or violent. For them, free will is the poison.

Let us make sure that we pray for each other, that God can touch our hearts and minds. When we experience the love of God, it makes it easier to put aside our fears and worries and respond to others with love and compassion. We all have the power to be kind. For us, free will can be the remedy.

Mraz has decided that he is not going to let his fears get the better of him. He is going to remove the worry and doubt and simply do all he can to stay away from the "poison" in our world. What will you do?

It really can be up to us. Because, in the words of Jason Mraz, "if you've got the poison, I've got the remedy."

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