For some time, I have noticed that my life's duties
have accelerated at an alarming rate, and I am busier now than when I worked full
time and attended night school to get my first degree. And it has not been
good for my health or peace of mind.
Before people used to talk about "Type A"
personalities, people that strived for perfection and had a schedule that spun
circles around everyone else. They were the doers and ones that insisted on succeeding well at
everything they did. But now it seems that in addition to myself, almost everyone I know is
as busy as I am, and we are all "Type A personalities." So what is happening
that so many people are busier now than they've ever been?
Many Christians and even non-Christians can sense
there's been a change in the world. Time seems to be passing quickly, and the
world seems to be growing darker, and this is Biblical (see Matthew 24:23). With technology like
smartphones and tablets that are quick and the world's knowledge is at our
fingertips, we can overload our minds and not even realize how much information
we are forcing our brains to process.
Searching online or anything else we are doing on our
tech toys can and do eat up a good chunk of our time. It is no wonder we
suffer from information overload, and it is no wonder we fall behind on so many
of our duties, even basic duties. Sadly, many relationships (or lack of) are a
reflection of this. Loneliness, lack of purpose,
fatigue, exhaustion, and depression are the norm for many today, especially in
the Western world.
Recently I had a wake-up call when my body sent
several alarming signals that I was overdoing things. In fact, this went on
for a few days and I wondered if I should see a doctor. I decided to pray
specifically to the God who made me in the first place, and ask Him what to do. He brought to mind
several things. First, I was all over the place in my thinking wondering which task to
perform first, so my brain was on overload making it hard to sleep at night. Bingo! Lack of sleep from
over-thought processing!
I was given the sound advice to calm my thoughts by
focusing more on Scripture than on the many things I need to do. Another word
for it is "meditation."
Meditation is a word used loosely and frequently amongst
non-Christians of the faith. They will mediate on various passages,
philosophies and so on, often to music. I meditate on the
Psalms, and now when I read I try to spend enough time that a new revelation of
Scripture will come to me. I consciously push every other
thought aside and I ask for God's help to silence my distracting thoughts.
Then I purposefully dwell on that one or series of Scripture surrounding that
one thought. By the way, meditating on Scripture brings results that bear good
fruit, because it is the "living" Word of God. It also comes with
promises like in this familiar passage:
Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in
the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in
the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the
LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by
the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also
shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
I realize too that there is an enemy, the devil,
trying to keep us constantly distracted and not think about Scripture or God. He's been doing this
since the beginning in the Garden of Eden. He is the author of
chaos and confusion, and he works so subtly we often don't even realize that
he's crept into our thought life!
He distracts us constantly because he knows the power of
the Word of God, and especially when we use it and believe it, it will defeat
him and bring down his evil schemes.
In fact, over time, when we've been spending more time in
the Word, we will recognize the fact that he is an imposter come to steal our
peace and our joy and our peace of mind!
2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not
carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every
high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into
captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
To answer the question, Can
we be Calm in the Midst of Chaos? Yes, I believe
we can, but not without the Prince of Peace, Jesus, the Lord of all Creation
and heaven and earth who created us and loves us. He loves us each in a personal
way and He knows our name. He longs to have fellowship with us, but He can't when we're too
distracted by the things of this world. And if we think we can have peace and
calm without Him, it will only be short-lived and as temporary as a watered plant
during a severe drought. If we truly want peace in the
midst of our chaotic world, we must put Him first, and then consciously take
the time to spend in His Word.
Then just talk to Him as if we are talking to a friend
over a cup of coffee. Ask him questions, then wait for His answer. Do this daily and over
time you'll notice your world go from crazy to calm. I can honestly say that this is what is
happening to me, and it’s only been a short period of time.
Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you,
that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be
of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
