IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!” – Psalm 46:1-3.

If you habitually turn on your computer and scroll through your newsfeed every morning, you are probably in for a jolt. When we look at the current global landscape, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of challenges facing our world. We’re witnessing unprecedented political polarization tearing at the fabric of societies worldwide, economic instability threatening the financial security of millions, and unprecedented social upheaval.

It is hard to look at what is happening around the world and in our own backyard without a mix of anxiety and uncertainty about the short—and long-term outlook. But when things seem like they are spiraling in the wrong direction, we need to remember that Christ is our only guaranteed constant in life and that our comfort is found in our Creator, not our circumstances.

Isaiah 46:10 says, “Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.” This text says that God has the rightful authority, the freedom, the wisdom, and the power to bring about everything that He intends to happen. And therefore, everything He wants to come about does come about. This means that God plans and governs all things. God reveals the end from the beginning and that His purpose will stand, emphasizing His omniscience and sovereignty, meaning He knows and controls all things, and His plans will be fulfilled.

Our faith in Christ offers a firm foundation when everything else seems to change—seeing these difficulties through the prism of faith, realizing that our hope is rooted in Someone far greater than our current circumstances.  To become more like Jesus, we need to practice living with purpose. This means understanding that our lives have significance beyond our immediate circumstances. Every act of kindness, every word of encouragement, and every moment spent in prayer contributes to God’s larger purpose. We may not always see the immediate impact of our faithfulness, but we can trust that God is working through us to accomplish His will, even amid chaos. In other words, rather than the chaos of our times diminishing our faith, let them refine and strengthen it.

We all know people who are wrestling with anxiety or are feeling overwhelmed by their current circumstances. Shoot them a text, meet up for coffee, or find some other way to spend some time with them to encourage them. Proverbs 12:25 serves us well in this area:  “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

Finding comfort in the chaos is simple, but it’s not easy. Be patient, be persistent, and lean into our ever-present comfort: Christ.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the current state of the world make you feel, and how can we find hope amid chaos?
2. How can we find peace and stability in a world that often feels unstable and chaotic?