Finding Peace in a Chaotic World

"Life just seems really heavy lately" is a phrase I have been hearing myself say often. Between world events, local community disasters, friends walking hard roads and personal hardships, it seems like the prayer list is neverending. Multiple times this month I have woken up with a hurting heart or have tears brimming ready to spill over as I read about more brokenness in our world.

As I wrestle with it, I find my time in scripture longer, my heart eagerly waiting some truth from the Father, to replace the constant chatter of people's opinions. I know God sees the struggles and hurts. I know He weeps with us and grieves. I also know that He is the redeemer. He will work all things for His glory, in His timing, for His purpose. The words from the story of Joseph echo in my mind. "What was meant for evil, God intended for good."

That quote is paraphrasing Genesis 50:20 where Joseph is reconciling with his brothers years after they sold him into slavery and plotted for his death. Genesis is the first book of the Bible and from the early chapters we see a world infected. Sin enters the chat in chapter three and what was perfection is corrupted with human brokenness. The chapters and books of the Bible that follow are filled with themes of cultural disobedience, family disputes, greed, jealousy, pride, corrupt leadership, betrayal, selfishness, immorality and so many other themes that we are familiar with because they are still present in our world today.

Yet, thankfully that is not where God chose to end the story. From Genesis to Revelation we see redemption as a main theme. God loves and cherishes His people. He is in relentless pursuit of their hearts. He desires relationship with them. 1 Peter 2:9 says this:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. ~ 1 Peter 2:9

God did not leave us in sin He called us out of it, offering us the gift of salvation through His son Jesus. All we have to do is accept it and when we do our lives our changed. We live differently, because our home address changes. When we choose to place our trust in Christ and follow Him, earth is no longer our home. Philippians 3:20 says that our citizenship is in heaven. If we are ambassadors than we aren't going to look like the culture around us. This is easier said than done, because this means that when trials and hard times hit, we aren't to respond the same way as those around us.

But how are we to respond? Our natural, human instinct is going to be fear, anxiety, anger, sadness, etc, but how do we move out of these initial emotions to be a testimony of God's faithfulness? Thankfully scripture guides us, Romans 8:35 says that nothing will separate us from the love of God, not trials or hardship. We can find security knowing that in Him we are safe. John 16:33 says that Jesus has overcome the world. He knows that there will be hardships in this life, but He has already won the battle. The victory is His and as His children we are on the winning side, we need not fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us given us a spirit not of fear, but of power, self-control and love. James 1:2 tells us to count it as joy when we are faced with hardships.

All of these verses might cause thoughts of how? This is impossible? Can I ever really live in this type of peace and assurance? Our world is just so chaotic. I would remind you as I have had to remind myself, that nothing is impossible with God. We are changed from the inside out when we walk in relationship with Him. As we spend time in prayer and His word, He is consistently and intentionally renewing us to become more like Him. So yes, when we face hardship we can combat it with joy, peace, assurance and confidence because we know that God is holding and guiding us through it. That we are on the winning side, that through these seasons God will teach us more about His character and draw us closer to Him. It doesn't make it easy, but it makes it less lonely.

When the fruit of this blossoms in our lives, people are going to notice. They are going to ask questions and yes, some might have some hurtful words. But this is our opportunity to point people to Christ by how we live our lives. We are walking testimonies of God's faithfulness when we actively place us trust in Him and live life from a place of peace, even when the chaos swirls around us. This is how we further God's kingdom and make disciples of all the nations as we are called to do. It isn't easy, it isn't on our own strength, but it is the only thing in this world that has any lasting impact.