Hold This

How do we hold peace in times of uncertainty and turbulence?

March 8, 2026

Photo by Severin Höin on Unsplash

I have always been fascinated by the change of seasons. March is a transition month here, as cold days subside and warm weather begins to return. It is also a time of turbulence as warm air clashes with cold, windy days are common, and storms can be severe.

The birds have returned with song and dance, and we have refilled the feeder. Trees are budding and grass is greening. These are the welcome signs of spring’s return. The metaphors are abundant in the natural world, and it brings me some comfort to find them. It gives me a way to see more, to look deeper and discover something new.

As I wrote in the Spring chapter of Soul Salsa, “the time of darkness and dormancy is subsiding as the life force ushers in abundant growth. Transitions are filled with uncertainty and sway as the dance between what was and what is coming keeps us on our toes.”

Beyond the season changing, a larger question of “What is coming?” hangs over our heads. We are in a season of darkness and turbulence now, and the uncertainty can cause anxiety. Aren’t we all looking for signs of hope that things will be okay? I know I am, every day. My daughter, Taylor, shared this original quote last week:

Uncertainty is a gift. If we were certain about everything, we would miss out on the beauty of discovery.

Living with uncertainty keeps us awake and alert. It is scary right now, to be sure. Things seem to be escalating downward and we’re trying to hold on for dear life.

Last week as I was lying awake in the night, my inner voice said, “I need you to hold peace.” HOLD peace….in my mind, body, and spirit, in my words and actions, in all that I am and all that I do. Hold PEACE.

Have you ever been asked to hold something in order to keep something else from falling apart? I have, many times, when helping Art attach, assemble, or move something. “Here, hold this. Can you hold this?” Sure, no problem….until it gets shaky. My strength is being tested. It’s taking longer than expected. “Keep holding this.”

It feels like that. Sure, I can hold peace….for a minute, maybe 10. It gets harder as I try to balance so many feelings, thoughts, concerns, and frustrations! But I have the sense that this ask is really important right now, so I am determined to do my best. It came from inside me, where wisdom lies, so I try to pay attention.

Reimagine peace. Carry peace. Claim peace. Embody peace.

At times like this, I feel the need for reinforcements. I’m asking you to hold peace with me, as best you can, for moments at a time or longer. We have to find it in ourselves first so we can then hold it, as we cannot hold what we don’t have. Once we find it inside, we will be able to bring it outside, and then we will find it in more places. We will begin to carry it, to embody it.

The gift that comes along with this is the assurance that the Universe is holding me, and God as Omnipotence and Omnipresence is holding our world. We are a part of that when we answer the call to hold peace, love, and joy. Hold the presence of God; embody it.

When wondering what I can do in this moment, I come back to this. In addition to other important actions and behaviors, I can work each day to remember and to hold that which is most precious and powerful.

Anne Lamott writes about explaining Good Friday to her Sunday School class: “....The world is dark, sometimes so cruel that it will take your breath away, so Jesus dies to help us change that suffering into meaning, renewal, transformation, eternal life…” (Somehow: Thoughts on Love).

After a dark, cold winter, the season of renewal arrives, bringing birdsong, beauty, and warmth. May we discover and savor all its gifts, and hold peace, even when it’s hard. This may be the most important contribution we can make.

ej

Elisa J. Juarez