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Calm in the Chaos

There has always been an internal struggle for me to create peaceful situations.  To fix things for people. To coordinate the chaos around me.  In fact, my key verse for this school year is Romans 12:18, "Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone."  I think this is an easy way to make the world a better place.  Of course, we won't agree on everything.  But if in our everyday lives we choose to live in peace with others, we are doing our part to be the good.

Now, I'm not saying that I've perfected this art.  I have become quite skilled at avoiding conflict (which isn't necessarily healthy all the time).  Sometimes I have to physically say the verse to remind myself of my goal to lull the madness encircling me.  The reason for this is because I, in and of myself, cannot create peace.  I simply have access to the One who can. My time with God must be my top priority.  I cannot love my family and others properly and live in perfect peace if my relationship with God isn't where it should be.  I cannot be a help to others if He isn't helping me.

Those that know me well know that I stay pretty busy.  What many people don't know about me is that my Myers-Briggs profile is INFJ.  That's right; I'm an introvert.  But I'm also a people pleaser.  What seems like extroversion is true concern for other people and making situations and individuals comfortable (doing all I can to live in peace with everyone...EVERYONE).  By the time Friday rolls around, I'm usually mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted. It's not uncommon-especially this school year- to find me napping on Saturday or Sunday... or both!  I need the time to recharge and prepare to put myself out into the world again on Monday.  

It would be so easy to neglect spending time with my Creator, Savior, and Friend just to regain some energy.  But the more I learn about God and the peace He gives, the more I crave time with Him.  I don't get everything about life here on this earth.  I don't understand why some people choose to create controversy and hostility.  I can't comprehend the darkness that people allow into their lives to do terrible things.  Tragedies happen all the time, and when they hit, all I know to do is to lean into Jesus in those moments.  One thing I do understand is that we live in a fallen world.  The enemy wants us to feel despair, hopelessness, and unloved.  No, I can't create peace.  But I press into the One who can, because the more I press in, the more I recognize who I am in Christ:

  • I am close to God. (Psalm 34:18)
  • I will never be abandoned by God. (Deuteronomy 31:8)
  • I am rescued from trouble. (Psalm 34:17)
  • I am strong and courageous. (Joshua 1:9)
  • I have a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
  • I am valuable. (Luke 12:7)
  • I am taken care of. (Psalm 55:22)
  • I am God's masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10)
  • I am heard by God. (Psalm 34:17)
  • I am a citizen of Heaven. (Philippians 3:20)
  • I belong to Christ! (1 John 4:4)
  • I am chosen. (John 15:16)
  • I am more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37)
  • I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
  • I am a child of God. (John 1:12)
  • I HAVE PEACE. (John 14:27)
This is only a short example of what God says about me...and YOU!  And this is my source of calm in the chaos.  The link below is a song has been on my mind all week.  I hope you'll take a listen and be at peace knowing our God never fails.


© Jill Cook, Unbroken & Undone Ministries. All rights reserved.

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