Fortress

Fortress

The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.

“WELL, I’VE STARTED WATCHING the clouds for Jesus. I expect his return any day,” I say with a rueful chuckle, clearly teasing but often with a decent dollop of wishful thinking.

That’s my pitiful attempt at apocalypse humor when asked what I think about the churning, never-ending chaos in current events. And, in truth, I follow it up with a sincere discussion because I know anxiety and fear often lurk just beyond the question.

What do we do when faced with an increasingly chaotic, mixed-up world?

We pray, certainly. But categorizing the chaos helps me determine my next steps as I pray. A person far smarter than me suggested we separate chaotic events into one of two categories: predicaments and problems. Predicaments are issues over which we have little to no control. Problems are issues in which we have control. We manage predicaments; we solve problems.

Once I label something a predicament, I waste no additional energy trying to solve it. It is something that belongs solely and wholly to God, our defender and our fortress. It’s a relief, honestly, to release it in its entirety to prayer. I still have to live with it or through it, and I have to manage it—but I trust God to be with me in the midst of it, my foundation and shelter.

If something is a problem, I have prayerful choices to make. I have a role to play in the resolution, and I can focus my attention on making discerning, scripturally sound decisions. I have a way forward, action steps, even if it’s distasteful and something I’d rather not do.

Chaos in the world is nothing new. Our spiritual ancestors experienced as much and more chaos as we have at the hands of governments, natural disasters, and disease. God is not surprised, and we are not alone. Jesus is our great hope and firm foundation, a solid rock, a secure anchor in the midst of chaotic events.

Lord, reframe our perspectives in the midst of chaos. Keep our eyes on you and give us wisdom over which things are predicaments to be managed and which are problems to be solved. Amen.

-Julie

One Good Step: Prayerfully categorize the chaotic events causing you unease. Ask God to give you an action step for the things you’ve labeled a problem.