I, for one, am a fan of predictably calm and peaceful days in my life. It may be a lofty quest, but when the timing is right, I thoroughly soak-up and savor the experience. All too often though, the day's path gets derailed, changes course, and once in a while can be found a crumpled mess on the side of the road... a horrifying crash, turmoil, sorrow, disappointment, and quite a bit of self-pity!
OK, I'm being over-dramatic here, but wanted to spend today's devotional by giving time, thought, and prayerful encouragement to our actions and reactions there IN that chaos. How we handle turmoil will reveal our place and closeness (trust) with our relationship in the Lord Jesus.
Regardless of 'how' you handle panic, chaos, or turmoil; right as you realize things are 'going wrong', or out-of-control, or you just have an uneasy peace in your heart, stop and 'affirm' your trust in the Lord.
Now, I didn't say 'trust in the Lord more'. That's a scripted answer being peddled too much these days. But it is also a vague and somewhat lofty goal... tough to measure, tougher to fulfill. 'Affirm' however is a better means, because this reminds us that our trust in the Lord does exist, and affirming it means we apply our trust. Something like a mountain climber's rope. We trust it 'can' handle an impact in a tragic moment/fall, but until you are actually there AT the end of that rope after a fall, have you affirmed it's value, it's worthiness, and your trust in it is confirmed.
For the chaos in that falling moment of your life, stop... calm yourself and calmly take these 'matters' to the Lord... leaving them in His trustworthy arms. Easy to say, I know, but the 'doing' part begins when you actually DO leave them there, and through thankful and trusting prayers... rest in the Lord's sovereignty, His glorious leading, and His blessing of peace over your soul.
It is all keyed through your trust. Even in Job 13:15, it reads; "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him." This is to say that trust goes way beyond logic, understanding, and any 'that makes sense to me' acknowledgements... as Job notes, "...to the death do I trust you, Lord". That is an affirmed trust.
Why do this?
God wants a closer walk and fellowship with us, and He wants you to 'rise above' the tumult, the mire, the anguish in that valley. His peace will empower and invigorate your life, as the Psalmist states in 18:33; "He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places."
Habakkuk 3:17-19 is a bit lengthy to quote here (please read it, here), but essentially it states that regardless of how things 'appear', "...Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength...". Affirming your trust in the Lord, then resting IN that trust will be your 'cure for the common chaos'!