Finding Peace in Chaotic Times

Why peace is not tied to circumstance and how to access it in chaotic times.

Peace. We are all looking for it, and it seems to be elusive at best these days. All we have to do is turn on the TV to be bombarded by reports of conflict. How can we find peace in the middle of all that is going on?

While it may be impossible to change chaotic circumstances around us, it is possible to experience personal peace, even in the middle of tumultuous situations.

Of course, there are simple things we can do, like meditation, practicing gratitude, and creating calm environments where possible. All these things are good, and they work. But the peace I am referring to here goes deeper than that. It is the peace that is not able to be understood because it is found in the presence of the Prince of Peace; Jesus.

I'll never forget attending a funeral years ago. I had stayed with a lovely family for about 2 months while I was waiting for a housing situation to be resolved. This family had turned most of their basement into an apartment for their children's Grandmother to live in. This woman was amazing. She had lost her husband and had very little in the way of material possessions. She was often in pain, but she was always cheerful and peaceful. Nothing seemed to bother her.

She understood that peace was a gift that she could choose to pick up and carry with her no matter what was occurring at the moment. She pointed out that being upset didn't change anything anyway. It didn't take her pain away; in fact, anxiety would increase her chronic pain. She spent a lot of time in prayer and reading her bible. The rest of her time was spent encouraging other people. When she passed away, she requested that everyone attending the funeral have a party because she knew where she was going and she planned to be partying when she got there!

She had requested an open casket funeral because she wanted people to understand that she moved to heaven peacefully. And indeed, she did. She looked as though she was sleeping with a slight smile on her face as family members passed by and patted her hand. It was the most peace-filled funeral I have ever attended.

This event helped me to process the grief usually associated with death in a very different way. I was not twisted inside over the fact that she was no longer with us. I had hope, I was happy for her that she was not in pain, and I got to say goodbye to an actual person. There was closure for me, as odd as that may seem.

As we sang the songs she loved, shared memories of her, and visited with each other, every person present experienced a sense of peace that was unusual and refreshing. I believe it was because this woman had loved Jesus and understood how to hang out with him. When she died, she made sure he was invited to the party and we all felt his presence of peace; the peace he brings to any situation.

In John 14:25-27, Jesus says this:
“I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught." (MSG)

We have Holy Spirit to be with us, no matter what is going on in the world, and his name is 'The Comforter'. How appropriate. Jesus knew we would need comfort; otherwise he would not have sent someone whose job it is to comfort us.

In John 16:6-7, Jesus is talking to the disciples prior to his death, and he says:
...You are only filled with sorrow. But the fact of the matter is that it is best for you that I go away, for if I don’t, the Comforter won’t come. If I do, he will—for I will send him to you. (TLB)

Everyone has a spirit guide; there is a myriad of spirit guides available to choose from. Trust me, they aren't all friendly. You want the one who is named "Holy". Holy Spirit guides you with truth, clarity of thought, insight, wisdom, and most of all, peace and comfort.

This is how we can have true peace. In the same way that my friend's Grandma lived her last days in peace by shifting her perspective from everything that was wrong with her to her beautiful relationship with Jesus and Holy Spirit, we can do the same.

It is in this relationship with God where we are able to relax and live in peace, trusting that though things don't make sense to us and even look awful, He sees and He knows. He has not forgotten and He has a solution. Where we are powerless to change things, He is not, and He knows how distressing all the chaos is to us. So He gives us the following invitation and promise:

Philipians 4:6-7
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.

God does not want us to experience anxiety over circumstances we have no ability to resolve. So instead, He gives us comfort like the good Dad he is when we come to Him and dump all our worries and fears on the table. The miracle is that this sort of peace He gives is not tied to circumstantial resolution. It is instantaneous and always available. And that truth alone always brings me peace.