Finding Peace in a Chaotic World

Peace is a Person

I see it there... the raging waters. This is no peace filled scene.

The fury of the wind - ripping, tearing at the sails. Driving the boat in chaos - up and down. First tipping to the port, then the starboard. Whipping the occupants with darts like steel as the rain beats on their trembling, rain-drench, terror-laden bodies. Some of them are professional fishers. They know this lake. Others are landmen. Only crossing the waters when necessary.

But One.

Sleeps.

Giving What You Own

We read this story in Mark chapter 4. It has been a long day of teaching the principles of the Kingdom of God. 

Seeds and Sowers

Baskets and Brilliance

Patience and Preeminence

Weary and worn, Jesus climbs aboard, lays His head on a pillow in the back of the boat, and sleeps.

The storm comes and the disciples are terrified. They feel small and helpless against the relentless waves. Even the bravest among them wails at the wind.

How can He sleep? 

Help Us! Don't You Care!

"And He got up and [sternly] rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still (muzzled)!" And the wind died down [as if it had grown weary] and there was [at once] a great calm [a perfect peacefulness]. Jesus said to them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith and confidence [in Me]?" Mark 4:39-40

The Prince of Peace speaks what He owns. Peace. And what He speaks to obeys.

Peace Under Pressure

Here's the thing, Lovely One. Peace is a command to us, too. But we have free will. We aren't like the winds and waves which have no agency of decision. When their creator speaks, they must obey. We decide whether we will receive the peace of the Lord or leave it out there as an unclaimed gift.

Peace under pressure means that even when the wind still rages, we are at rest.

Interestingly, the rest of Mark 4 says this:

"They were filled with great fear, and said to each other, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" Mark 4:41

When Peace had come, they were still afraid.

The Disciples didn't carry the One who is Peace inside of them like you and I do (Christians, that is). We have an advantage they didn't. They were still in the undisclosed future without the benefit of the Risen One in their midst.

These men and women were completely different on the other side of the cross. Bold and asking for more boldness. (Acts 4) Staring down stones, rebuking sorcerers, ignoring religious conventions, openly rebuking those who blasphemed the Name.

Prison or Palace, He is the Same

Don't get it twisted, it doesn't matter what tier of society you live in while battling fear, anxiety, or torment.

 You can be the most secure financially and experience the torment of anxiety. Conversely, you can live on the streets yet encounter Peace. You can have a high-stress, ultra-demanding work environment and live in the rest of the Lord. Yet, you can also be a woman without a responsibility in the world, and struggle every day.

Imagine "Peace" was an item you could go to the store to buy. It would likely be "out of stock" most of the time. Because we live in a world of chaos. Doubt and fear plague our hearts. Along with those disappointing party guests, we have to endure political unrest in all the scary countries. Additionally, a handful of spiritual leaders have been exposed as immoral or unethical, so our spiritual anxiety is up, too.

Wouldn't it be great if we could go to a friend and that friend could just pour peace on us? 

Oh wait. He can.

How to Cultivate Peace and Overcome Anxiety

What I'm about to share with you isn't the end of the conversation. There are so many ways to foster peace and overcome anxiety. However, this is something you can do right now, at this moment. After all, sometimes that's what we need. We're like the Disciples crying out, "Help Me!"

Any time you can do this outside with your bare feet in the grass is a win. Why? Because our bodies carry electrical charges, and walking barefoot helps diffuse those electrical pulses. And, breathing in the fresh air, and looking up to the heavens can't hurt, can it?

A Lifestyle that Promotes Peace

On the Journey to Wholeness, experiencing a lifestyle of peace is one of the primary goals. Wholeness is built on the shalom, peace, of God. 

As a result, the only way to truly cultivate a lifestyle of peace is to develop a deeper relationship with the One who IS peace. And that comes with daily devotions in the Bible (alongside any other devotional books you might read), prayer, and hanging out with other believers.

It's also important to guard your eye-gate and ear-gate. That simply means pay attention to what comes in through your eyes and ears. If you are feeding yourself chaos, chaos in your thoughts and environment will be the result. This is something you can control. In fact, it is your responsibility.