Finding Peace Amidst Chaos

Several years ago, there was a series on TV called, Lost. In the first episode, a plane crashed on a deserted island in the middle of nowhere. It was chaos. Jagged, twisted parts of the plane strewn all around, some burning. Survivors were in different stages of just experiencing a traumatic event. As the scene expanded, and you could see people struggling to get to their feet, helping others, looking for their friends and loved ones, running, etc., there was one lady sitting alone calmly in the sand painting her fingernails.

I know many of you feel as though your plane has crashed, and you’re struggling to comprehend what’s happened. You feel the world around you no longer makes sense and you don’t understand why. You can’t believe the things that are going on or why it’s being allowed by your fellow man – a sentient being, with a mind, and logic, and reason. What’s happened to just good ole fashioned common sense, right and wrong, or simple morals? Where are the people in places of power who are supposed to do the right thing? What is happening to our society? Where is Truth? Where is justice?

Please know, you are not alone.

There are millions of us who feel the same way. We have all watched as Truth is questioned, words have been redefined, division fueled, laws ignored, lies proliferated, and children have come under unprecedented attack. And there is more, much more.

The world watches too. Some of them have struggled to get to their feet or ran away. Most though, have sat quietly in the sand painting their fingernails by either being completely ignorant of the situation, complacent, or in support.

We are not the world, and that’s why all these things bother us so much. As born-again believers, we are children of God. We love God. We love His Word. We know Truth. Ungodliness and sin make us sick. We see something deeper, bigger than just, “Times are changing.” We see a flood of unrighteousness we’ve never seen before in our lifetimes. Whether it’s political corruption, sexual perversion, the destruction of our cities, whatever it is – there’s plenty to choose from. It’s painful, and it just doesn’t make sense how so much ungodliness has come to light in such a short amount of time with so many openly supporting and pushing it. It’s shocking to us. And worst of all – all of this ungodliness, all of it – is totally and completely focused on self, on what the flesh wants. Be it power, money, pleasure, whatever. It’s all about the flesh. God is not in it.

Things Jesus never said:

• Be true to yourself
• Follow your heart
• Feel good about who you are
• Trust your gut
• Happiness is what matters most
• Just be a good person

Apart from loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37) you cannot be “true to yourself” or “follow your heart” or any of those other things. True happiness is only found in Him and His way. This is why we are so sick of what we see in the world today. We know the Truth. His way is best, and all we see are people following their own ways with no thought of God. They scream and shout and get angry and push it in your face and pass laws and demand you accept it and call you names when you don’t. But we cannot accept it. We will not. They seek to glorify themselves, and we seek to glorify God. They are filled with their ungodly ideas fueled by their emotions irrationally, guided only by their self-interests. “They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly,” (Psalm 17:10). We are filled with the Holy Spirit and fueled by God’s love. He is our anchor, the rock of our foundation. His Truth is our guide. “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness,” (Psalm 17:15).

• Let me remind you, there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

While all these happenings may seem overwhelming, it is nothing new. It may be new to you, but it is not new in the world. The world is in a fallen, sinful state. There will always be times when more than not will reject God and seek self-glory. This is the devil’s playground.

How do we cope? What are we to do? Everything must be held to the light of scripture. Remember, Satan seeks to destroy (1 Peter 5:8).

Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.

Ephesians 6:11-12

We pray, read God’s Word, worship, and serve. We don’t stop. We keep fellowshipping and sharing the Gospel. We don’t stop. We do everything we’ve always done. We teach our kids right from wrong, Truth from lies. We don’t stop. We love our neighbors and our enemies. We take up our cross and follow Him. We don’t stop. We run the race that’s set before us with our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2). We don’t stop. Peace is found in this way, and in knowing who God is and who we are as believers.

We should rejoice that people have shown us who they really are. More will show us. Now we know who needs prayer and who to stay away from or not support.

Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. Therefore, do not become their partners. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light – for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth – testing what is pleasing to the Lord. Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. Everything exposed by the light is made visible, for what makes everything visible is light. Therefore it is said:

Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.

Ephesians 5:6-14

Be aware, be mindful, but do not be dismayed for God is with us. This ship may not right itself in our lifetime. Things may get worse, but that does not change who we are and what we are to do. As David said, keep the ways of the Lord, and do not wickedly depart from God (Psalm 18:21). We are children of light and God is with us.

The rain falls on the just and the unjust alike (Matthew 5:45). We may not understand every part of God’s plan, but we don’t have to. We only need to trust Him. Truth lives and justice will prevail. Things may seem like chaos unbound, but it is not, and God is watching.

The Lord is in his holy temple,

The Lord’s throne is in heaven:

His eyes behold,

His eyelids try, the children of men.

Psalm 11:4

Wherever you’re at, whatever you’re going through, I pray this has somehow blessed you today.

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