Finding Peace in the Middle of Chaos
How do you experience peace in chaos? The answer might be simpler than you imagine.
Yesterday felt a little like my neighborhood had turned into a movie set. Typically a quiet community where people walk their dogs, my family is used to hearing the sounds of birds chirping or occasional music played during outdoor get-togethers.
So overhearing heated arguments and shouting matches was really out of the norm.
From watching neighbors have a heated debate on their front lawn to overhearing a man screaming into his cell phone while he walked his dog, it felt like we were living through an episode of The Twilight Zone.
It was a beautifully sunny summer Sunday. What had gone wrong?
Living Under Perpetual Stress
I couldn’t help but think of the perpetual stress it seems like everyone is experiencing. Worldwide, chaos is increasing. Growing numbers of people are really, really sick with serious health conditions. The political climate is heating up to blistering levels. The price of everything, from utilities to food, is making it difficult for most people to afford to live.
The thing is, there seems to be no remedy for these massive stressors. There’s no quick fix, no promise that everything will improve.
Quite frankly, this has to exhaust everyone.
Is there any hope?
If you and I focus on all of the tension and trouble in this world and in our lives, we will face an unbearable amount of stress. And all of that stress might spew out in shouting matches in the middle of a peaceful neighborhood.
But that kind of stress-filled, emotionally overwhelmed reality is no way to live.
How can you find hope in the middle of hostility? How can you live a life of peace while you’re surrounded by pain?
Jesus talked with his disciples about this as he explained his upcoming death. John 16:27-33 tells us:
“The Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”
“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
“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.”
In this world you will have trouble. That is certain. And it’s felt by each of us right now. But examine the next words of Jesus: “Take heart! I have overcome the world.”
How can we take heart? Right before Jesus tells that we’ll have trouble in this world, He reveals that in Him we may have peace.
When the storms of life rage and this world seems like it’s filled with trouble, we can take heart and find our peace in Him. Because He has overcome the world, we can experience peace through Him.
Avoiding distractions
Is peace ever promised in this world? No. Trouble is.
Worldly influences definitely will try to distract you from trouble through comfort and convenience. But none of those distractions will satisfy. You won’t find peace in your latest purchase, no matter how shiny or spectacular it seems. Peace won’t come through a fantastic vacation or the house of your dreams. None of those distractions offer true, feel-it-in-your-soul peace.
But Jesus does.
Earlier in the book of John, Jesus explains, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
Even when you have trouble in this world, your heart doesn’t have to be troubled. You don’t have to be afraid. Jesus gives peace.
Through your faith in Jesus–that’s confident belief in Him–you’re made right with God. You also experience peace with God through your Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).
That means, Jesus not only brings you peace with God, but He also gives you His peace. This peace is only through Him. It’s nothing you can create on your own, and it’s nothing you’ll experience by earthly happiness.
Peace in chaos
If we know that this world does not offer peace but Jesus does, what does that mean for our everyday lives? How does this shape the way we live when we’re faced with trouble? When there’s pain or chaos, how do we experience peace?
A peace-filled life in the middle of painful circumstances is possible. It doesn’t come through retail therapy or gorging on your favorite food or drink. A reliance on relationships won’t fill your heart with peace either.
Rather, you can experience peace first by having a relationship with Jesus, where you know who He is. He already knows you and He loves you. Seem strange? It doesn’t have to. Learn who He is by reading the Bible. To get introduced, start in the book of John in the Bible. John tells Who Jesus is and he explains the love Jesus has for you.
Once you get to know Jesus, your relationship begins when you believe He is who He says He is. As you trust Him, you can communicate with Him through prayer at any time and in any place.
When you feel like you might be paralyzed with fear because of current events, pray. Ask Him for His peace.
When your life situations seem like they’re going to completely overwhelm you, pray. Ask Him for His help and guidance. Ask Him to fill you with His peace.
Whatever unsettling or horrific circumstance comes your way, ask Jesus for His peace. Just as He promised, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will give you peace.
If you’re already in a relationship with Jesus and you’ve trusted Him, how has He filled your life with peace?
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