OLIVE - "When You Need Peace in the Storm"
Your Divination
Everything feels chaotic. Your mind won’t stop racing, your relationships are tense, and you can’t find a moment of actual peace anywhere… not even in your own head.
Saintly Wisdom
Mary is often depicted with olive branches because she knows what it’s like to live through uncertainty. From the angel’s visit to watching her Son die, her life was anything but peaceful on the surface. Yet she carried an inner peace that came from trusting God completely, even when nothing made sense.
The Olive's Story with Mary
The olive branch has been a symbol of peace since Noah’s dove returned with one after the flood, signaling God’s mercy and the end of judgment. Mary is called the “Queen of Peace” because, like that olive branch, she brings news that the storm is over… that God’s mercy triumphs over His judgment. In the Garden of Gethsemane (literally “olive press”), Jesus sweated blood while praying for strength to face the cross. Mary, who also suffered watching her Son die, understands what it means to find peace in the midst of crushing circumstances. The olive must be pressed to give its oil… and sometimes we must be pressed to discover the peace that lies within us.
The Prayer
“Mother of Peace, my world feels like it’s spinning out of control. My mind races with worry, and I can’t find rest anywhere. Teach me your secret… how to stay calm in the center of the storm. Help me trust that God is working even when I can’t see it. Quiet my anxious thoughts and fill me with your peace that surpasses understanding. Let your olive branch remind me that after every storm, there is rest. Amen.”
Practical Reflection
Peace isn’t the absence of problems… it’s the presence of God in the middle of them. Mary found peace not by controlling her circumstances, but by surrendering them.
Takeaway Mantra
“In the storm, I choose to rest in God’s peace.”
Simple Action Step
Set a timer for 3 minutes. Sit quietly and breathe slowly, saying “Jesus” on the inhale and “peace” on the exhale. Do this whenever chaos hits.
