How to Have Peace in the Midst of Chaos

I was driving with my son the other day and what we saw on the road from other drivers was absolutely scary. There were people cutting people off, people honking and angry at each other, people in a rush and doing careless things that endangered themselves and others. It was absolute chaos on the road. As a mom, I of course chose to use this as not only a driving lesson for my son, but a life lesson as well. I told him he needed to stay in a place of peace, even though it was chaotic all around him. I shared how this is currently the state of the world. You too may have noticed, the enemy has recently upped his game. It’s as if the word has grown even darker overnight. People are stressed, overwhelmed, burdened, depressed, hopeless, angry and even lawless and it’s manifesting in various ways in people’s lives and interactions with one another. If you’re sensitive in the spirit, you may also feel the increased intensity of the battle. I believe the word chaos describes it in a nutshell. The definition of chaos is: complete disorder and confusion, and this is exactly what is happening. I went on to share with my son, that without Jesus, people will fall prey to this chaos, but with Jesus we can have peace even when surrounded by it.

Ephesians 5:15-17 which says,

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Friends, we must heed this truth and be very careful how we live in the days we’re in. We need the wisdom of the Lord, and to know His will. We often talk about the evil agenda of the world, which is true, but as Christians we recognize this agenda is actually the plan of satan, the god of this world. 2 Corinthians 4:4 reminds us that:

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Without Christ, we all walk blindly amidst the chaos. We need to be grounded in truth. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. As Colossians 2:7 says, we must “let our roots grow down into him, and let our lives be built on him.” Friends, going to church once in a while, or just saying, “I’m a Christian,” is not enough. We need to walk in the truth each day, and have a strong and personal relationship with Jesus, spending time in the Word of God and growing and becoming more familiar with His voice so that we can follow Him. This is vital. We need to be so filled with truth we become immune to the lies and entanglements of this world. We need the Holy Spirit to help us to navigate each day how to live and walk in the will of God until He returns. If you haven’t noticed yet, what worked for us in the past, isn’t going to cut it anymore. While it may seem scary or discouraging, be encouraged because we’re promised PEACE in the midst of any troubles we face. In John 16:33 Jesus said:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

We can have peace just like Jesus had in the midst of the storm. He not only had peace, He released peace. He spoke to the storm and it obeyed. This is the kind of authority you and I have in Jesus. We’re more powerful than we often realize and this too, is why the enemy wants to keep us blind, numb and distracted. He doesn’t want us to recognize the powerhouses we are in Jesus. We must understand that all we’re seeing around us has not taken God by surprise. It was prophesied in Isaiah 60:2 that when things got very dark, the light would break through. That light is you and me. It’s our shining moment! And yet, it’s hard to shine when we’re fearful or caught up in the chaos. We need God’s peace.

Our peace will increase as we get our houses in order. This means we need to start with ourselves, shoring up our foundation in Christ. We must draw closer to the Lord in this season, laying aside the weights, the idols and whatever else keeps us from remaining hidden in Him. Maybe things in your life are shaking and chaos is knocking at your door and you don’t know what to do. Thankfully, Hebrews 12:26-29 clarifies what’s happening and what to do:

At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”^[a] 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our “God is a consuming fire.

We were never meant to be a part of this world system. It will and is being shaken. We’re citizens of heaven called to walk and live out the Kingdom. It’s time to let go of the faulty things of this world we’ve depended on and cling fully to God. Jesus is the solid rock, our strong foundation that can’t be shaken. With JESUS we can stand firm in the midst of anything. What faulty things is God calling you to let go of? What have you depended on other than God. These are questions we must all reflect upon. Remember also that peace is a fruit of God’s Holy Spirit which means we need more of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we empty ourselves of the things that have consumed us, we make more room for the Holy Spirit and the PEACE He brings us.

We also need to be connected with other believers. Too many believers are out there as lone rangers. Now, more than ever, it’s time to be connected to a church body. Hebrews 10:25 warns about “neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Regular church attendance is not just a privilege, a tradition or something to do once in a while, but an absolute life or death necessity. YES, I said LIFE or DEATH. Not just for us as we need one another in these dark days to encourage each other, hold each other accountable and support each other as we fight the darkness in the world together, but also life and death for those out there that still don’t know Jesus. There are lost people on their way to hell and we have the answer. We hold the truth they need so that they can be set free and saved. We must unite with our family in Christ and pursue the mission we’ve been called to with a passion which is to seek and save the lost. We become a testimony to the world and a beacon of light drawing others to Christ. If you’re not committed to a church family, find one and get committed now. Paul expressed the power of being connected with one another, sharing how together we should be:

“standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.” Philippians 1:27

This is a beautiful thing. Personally, I’m so thankful for my church family. We have each other’s backs. None of us are perfect, but we love God and each other and that is such a gift.

So I’ve shared a lot, but to sum it up, how do we have peace in the midst of chaos?

1. We recognize what is happening in the world and how God has called us to live in this day and age.
2. We draw closer to God and strengthen our relationship with Jesus by spending time daily in the word, listening for the voice of the Holy Spirit each day.
3. We let go of faulty things, the entanglements of this world system and walk in His Kingdom, making room for more of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
4. We get connected or remain connected to a church family, standing firm in one spirit not just for ourselves but for the lost that need to be brought in.

All of these things will help us to walk in peace in the midst of chaos. They will help us, as Colossians 3:3 says, to remain “hidden in Christ.” We can’t hide from trouble, but God will keep us protected and secure in Him as we walk with Him daily. Chaos may ensue around us, just like it did in those moments on the road that day with my son, but we can live in peace and not only navigate through the darkness, but become a beacon of light to others. Blessings friends.

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