Oh, the fixer in me is restless.
I desperately want to find a magic wand or just the right words to fix our world right now. I’m listening to the conversations and I hear others who want to do the same thing.
If we’d just do this . . . all would be well.
If we’d just do that . . . this would all end.
Sometimes I listen to the news and the weight of humanity hurting humanity feels crushing.
Just turn the news off, Suzie. Don’t watch that stuff.
That doesn’t make it go away, sweet friend.
Even as I put my fingers on the keyboard today I want to write words that will help this all go away, or at least help you and me find the peace that we need.
Instead, I sat alone with the Lord and asked him the hard questions.
Why, Lord?
What do we do in a world turned upside down?
Is there something I can do?
Jesus often talked about upheaval with his disciples. It might not have been their favorite subject, but it defined their world. It made sense to talk about it.
It’s not our favorite topic either. We want to read the chapters nestled with all the goodness and promises, instead of words like these.
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NLT)
And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Matthew 24:6 (NLT)
We want to pass legislation that will fix this — or debate it until everyone sees it the same way (not going to happen).
There are helpful things we can do, but today I want to sit across from Jesus and truly listen to what He’s saying in these passages. Even as He warns of sorrow and trials and wars and threats of wars, He assures us with a promise.
There’s peace to be found in Him
Not a trite, “You’re going to be okay” pat on the back, but deeply rooted comfort that anchors us in uncertain times. There’s peace that transcends circumstances.
But there’s a second part to this. There was a reason that Jesus warned the disciples.
He wanted them to keep going.
If we are anchored and at peace inside, that means that we’re strong enough (through Him) to walk into those trials, and live among wars and rumors of wars and experience sorrow in our world, and keep going.
There’s work still to do and we don’t have the luxury of hiding in fear.
Jesus told the early followers to expect chaos and hard places, but always with the greater promise of, “I’ve got you, so keep going. Keep doing what I know you can do.”
[bctt tweet=”In an upside down world we hold on to what is true. #livingfreetogether #ComeWithMe #SpiritLedHeart ” username=”suzanneeller”]
That’s what the disciples did. At the very end they all professed this one thing as they held on to truth.
I’d do it all over again.
Knowing Jesus was worth it.
I was forever changed by His love, not my circumstances.
I feel so compelled to pray.
For my nation. For racial division to come to an end. For innocent men, women, and children caught in the crossfire. For my friends living across the world in one of the most dangerous countries to live as Christians. For the Church to love people and not be afraid to talk about the harder issues.
Yet it’s not heavy.
I realize that I can’t change the world. It’s not expected of me. Instead, I will pray. I will believe that we all have a small part to play and when we do that, there is hope for change. I’ll also trust what Jesus told the disciples, because you and I are also disciples.
He said, “take heart.”
We can take heart (courage, bravery, encouraged, hope-filled, anchored) over living in fear any day of the week.
How will you hold on to the truth? How will this anchor you in a world turned upside down?
Suzie
Related Resource
What would you say if Jesus asked you to follow where He leads, wherever that may be, whatever that may look like?
Would you be willing to whisper yes?
Come With Me: Discovering the Beauty of Following Where He Leads
Click on the link to find free resources, videos and more for this book.
Related Resource
“…we hold on to what is true.” Jesus is the only one who truly makes sense in the midst of all this, isn’t He? Taking heart, Suzie – I’m taking heart. Thanks for the encouragement in light of much worldy heaviness.
It’s been a hard week, across the world when the lens pulls out. I keep thinking that just as trials can make us stronger individually, trials can make us stronger as a body of believers. I pray that conversations and understanding is happening at a whole, new level.
This world can be a scary place, I thank God for His Word and for women like you who help us to better understand Him and the time we are in.
“There’s work still to do and we don’t have the luxury of hiding in fear.” YES YES YES! Such a powerful post packed with beautiful truth. Thank you, friend. #livefreeThursday
PEACE PEACE WONDERFUL PEACE. PEACE FROM THE FATHER ABOVE.
I’m so thankful that I have peace in my heart while living in a world of turmoil.
I’m also blessed to have a daughter that God has chosen to speak to the world about Gods loving Grace for all of us that choose to let Him into our hearts and follow Him.
Suzies mother.
I love you mom. <3
Almost 11 months ago, my family’s life was turned upside down by a life-changing, life-threatening, lifelong diagnosis. In the span of a hospital stay, we went from your average ordinary family to instant Healthcare professionals. The hardest thing about dinner used to be choosing what to eat. Now that’s the easy part. My biggest fears used to be the kinds of things every mom thinks about. Now, my mind is filled with all sorts of risk analysis, if-then scenarios, and numbers. Oh my, the numbers. “That plate is 65 carbohydrates. Your blood glucose level is 84. That means you’ll need 6.15 units of insulin. But you’re going to the swimming pool after lunch, and that makes your BG drop. Do only do 3 units. And we’ll just keep an eye on it.” “You’re getting in the car for 3 hours, your BG is elevated, and you’re excited. Check, correct, and add 50% basal for 4 hours.” “You were outside playing all afternoon, eat 12 carbs before bed so that your BG doesn’t drop too low overnight. I’ll be up to check on you in 3 hours.” These kinds of thoughts have become my new normal. It gets overwhelming at times. The uncertainty, the doubt, the frustration… and when I think about the fact that my sweet boy will be doing this for the rest of his life, I get angry. I cry out in anguish. I can’t tell you how often I’ve pleaded with God to give it to me instead. Our family was completely wrecked 11 months ago.
But yet…
Even in the midst of this tumultuous time, God has remained so faithful to our family. The circumstances of my son’s diagnosis could have been so much worse. He was just days away from being very horribly sick and could have died had we not gotten him diagnosed when we did. Our nursing staff and the doctors at the hospital were fantastic. We are minutes away from one of the best pediatric endocrinology centers in the state. My husband’s insurance allows us to give our son the best technology available to help him manage this disease. And through it all, I’ve watched my sweet boy grow in strength and faith in ways that couldn’t happen without facing difficulty. He’s learning to lean on God in his daily walk, and he is am example of courage to everyone around him. Even his mom.
So when life gets turned upside down, the only thing I know is to run to Jesus. I don’t have answers, but I know the One who does. And He’s got me and my family right in His mighty hand. That’s the best place to be.
Thank you for sharing this, Tammy.
Lord, thank you for this mother’s heart. Give her all she needs as she protects and loves and takes care of her son. Take care of her heart as she does so, in Jesus’ name.
“Take. Heart.” I needed to hear those words today. I have a feeling He’ll give me an opportunity to share them with someone else who needs to hear them as well. As always…thanks for going first. XO
My soul aches. My soul aches for God’s people. My heart breaks. My heart breaks for all people.
https://www.billiejauss.com/?p=741
The issues in our world these days have deep roots in hate and indifference (among other things). But we have this awesome community of believers who can “take heart.” We can follow in the steps of our Lord, who came to turn the world upside down himself, so to speak. It feels like things are broken. My heart is broken. It hurts to see so many people hurting each other and saying/doing hurtful and deadly things to each other. But… we have our God who loves us beyond words and calls us to walk in His ways of love and compassion for those who need. We can make a difference everyday where we walk. All the little things, acts of kindness, words of encouragement to those who cross our paths may lead to healing and building bridges, while building up the kingdom of God. Take heart, Jesus has overcome the world and we are following right beside him.
Thank you Suzie for what you do.
Thank you for your words of encouragement and for addressing the issue, when we remain silent, we allow the dark and hate to speak for us. It’s important that we rise up…in prayer, faith, and most importantly -love.