“Everything's in chaos”. It’s a phrase I seem to be hearing more lately. In my lifetime I’ve witnessed a lot of social change, disasters large and small, and frightening events in our country and across the world. But these events seem to come and go. Is that social change now coming harder and faster, and are we witnessing more extreme loss and misery these days? Or maybe we’re just hyper-sensitive.
Perhaps the question is beside the point.
Our scriptures tell us that we will experience trouble, but Jesus has come to help us overcome (the negative effects of it). For me right now, that overcoming has to do with understanding the collateral damage of horrible events in other places. I say that with the risk of sounding shallow, because it’s not ME it’s happening to. But our God asks us to care for others. And I feel, at the same time, deeply saddened by what is happening and incapable of really helping.
And that is frustrating!
Maybe there is something to be said for not letting ourselves be sucked into a worldview of last days pessimism and despair - something that would rob us of a promised personal peace. Chaos is a very powerful word, and let’s not hide our eyes from misery around us and feel something - then at least pray! Can we set aside the news hyperbole and achieve an authentic empathy?
Peace seems to be the opposite of chaos, and I was once told of a great definition for it. Our natural minds envision peace as an absence of turbulence, like a slow moving and meandering stream. But instead, swap that image for a tiny and beautiful bush firmly attached to a rock - in the middle of raging whitewater.
Strength in the midst of danger.
So today, how do our tender hearts not only survive, but thrive? I’m wondering if compartmentalizing our worries and fears can be a good thing. I absolutely don’t believe we are to be detached and isolated in our fantasies. But maybe part of taking care of our emotional health involves really focusing on our own challenging moments.
What am I feeling right now in my own conflict? What might the Lord be trying to communicate to me? How am I to respond best to others in this situation right now? It may be hard to do, but there are delicious fruits of the spirit to follow!
We cannot be positive agents of change if we let ourselves go down with the ship. Pessimism is certainly a part of that, but so is fear, insecurity and anger. Our Lord is the perfect physician of our troubled hearts.
Let’s try to:
Focus on what we can control and do
Stay in our essential moments
Take special care of ourselves
Practice kindness with others
Peace to you all!
John 16:33 MSG
(Jesus answered them,) “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it - saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”
About the Author
Terry is a man in constant motion to explore new horizons. He has a thirst for new places and faces, and a deep love for the natural world - with a weakness for waterfalls and sunsets. All of this venturing out helps to both ground and inspire him, because it opens him up to people, with their vast, collective array of experiences, outlooks and responses.
He finds all of this fascinating and sees that it has encouraged the growth of something crucial in his Christian development: empathy and compassion toward his brothers and sisters on this planet.