All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
Chaos or Calm?
Regardless of where you live in this world you cannot escape the apparent chaos that is being played out around the globe. I have several questions to pose for us to ponder:
1) Does all the chaos cause you anxiety or are you able to experience a sense of calm in the midst of the storm.
2) If anxiety, why? If calm, why?
Please try to be a little expressive and not give a simple one word or one sentence answer.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Tammy on
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It doesn't cause me anxiety because there isn't anything I can do about it. Of course, we all can pray but I'm not stressed. We see prophecies being fulfilled & I just accept it. I think there is enough chaos in my own home alone to stress me enough that I don't have enough left over. I'm also calm because I know who holds tomorrow & it's already in His ultimate plan. I may not know that plan but He does & that's enough for me. That's not the greatest theological eloquent answer in the world but it's me - simple.
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Permalink Reply by JB on
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Does all the chaos cause you anxiety or are you able to experience a sense of calm in the midst of the storm.
At first presentation, like news and etc. “anxiety” Yes! But when I acknowledge and reflect on the Word of God, I then rest in what the Word says about end times, and who I am in Christ, then it brings the peace and assurance of prophesies, out-lined in the Word of God. And I can then say as a song we used to sing goes, “It Is Well with My Soul”
I sometimes quote the verse, Isa.41:10. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
We are not to be intimidated by what we hear or see in the news today; about the Muslim domination of the world, or of ISIS, instilling fear in God’s people.
“Dismayed” a primitive root; to gaze at or about (properly for help); by implication to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed (as looking around in amazement) or bewildered :- depart, be dim, be dismayed, look (away), regard, have respect, spare, turn.
Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.In other words, I just kinda short cut it and Say “I don’t look around for help, for He is my God.” Or what the psalmist said in Ps.118:6 The Lord is on my side: I will not fear what man can do unto me.
JB
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Permalink Reply by Mary O on
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And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. (Revelation 8:3-5 KJV
We've been seeing lots of fires, thunderings and lightnings. I don't know about the voices part. Perhaps the voices are the prayers of God's people. God hasn't really broken his silence yet. I believe He is more powerful than any of us imagined. When God breaks His silence, we'll all know it.
Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: (Psalm 83:1-5 KJV)
I have been anticipating an earthquake the likes of which we haven't seen before. I will kneel and bow down. In my opinion, that's the wisest thing to do. Then I would expect to hear the trumpets. I don't know how far apart.?? I am thankful to be sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. (Psalm 111:10 NIV)
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, (Ephesians 1:13 NIV)
From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. (Galatians 6:17 NIV)
I know we have the Lord's markings on us. My belief is that the markings and the seal can be seen in the spiritual realm. It's for all spiritual beings to see. I see 7 trumpets in Revelation. Anyone of them could be qualified.For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 KJV)
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10 KJV)
And I heard a mighty voice shouting from the temple to the seven angels, “Now go your ways and empty out the seven flasks of the wrath of God upon the earth.” (Revelation 16:1 TLB)
There is a point when the wrath of God is poured upon the earth. We haven't seen it yet, but we are saved from the wrath to come.
God bless,
Mary
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Permalink Reply by Carla on
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I have a 'before and after' response. :-)
BEFORE: Before knowing the Lord I was riddled with anxiety and fear. I never knew a sense of calm, and I used things in the world to hide behind....alcohol, popularity, shopping etc...
AFTER: Once I repented of my sin and received Jesus, I experienced an unexplainable calm, peace, comfort, hope and love... Jesus healed my anxiety and removed my fear. I can't explain it, I just know the before and after. My calm is because of Jesus...nothing else...and no one else can give me the calm HE gives.
The other day a friend of mine (she does not know the Lord) was talking about how bad things are in the world...she's very overwhelmed and afraid of death. I told her about Jesus in a letter. I mailed that letter to her so that she would have a hard copy. She responded by saying that she's not interested. I was deeply saddened for her that she would choose fear, anxiety and feelings of chaos rather than the peace, comfort, love and hope Jesus gives. I hope I planted a seed. Everyone needs to be told about Jesus so that they can be well informed and at least understand what they are saying 'No' too. Maybe one day her 'no' will turn into a 'yes'. I'm praying it will.
Blessings, Carla
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Permalink Reply by Colby on
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"Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life," Jesus says in Matthew 6:25. Easier said than done, I must admit, given the struggles of our daily lives set in the broader context of the terrible and tragic things that are happening in the world today.
Given all that we have to contend with, it is hard not to be overcome by anxiety and worry, and yet as Christians we have the serenity of Jesus in our midst.
Now, it’s presumptuous to think we can ever be as totally free from anxiety as Jesus was; but, to the extent we can, I believe we come that much closer to living our lives productively, as God would have us, and fulfilling Jesus’ commandment to love others as we love ourselves.
Jesus speaks to this when he says, “Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” The more we focus on God and not on ourselves, the less anxious we become and the more we’re able to feel and trust God’s love and care for us.
To be sure, I still have a long way to go. But, I draw comfort from knowing that God is always near me. The warmth of his abundant love and grace are sufficient to melt away our anxieties.
Let me leave you with this passage from Scripture, which speaks directly to the question you posed.
"The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:5b-7)
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Life happens. We live in a world full of chaos. Each of us will experience crisis and tragedy. But, what's important to remember is that God with us no matter what. God has not abandoned us to the chaos of the world.
As Jesus told his fearful disciples with him in a boat being buffeted about on the stormy sea, "Peace! Be still!"
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Permalink Reply by thewatchman on
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I believe that the world has always been in chaos. There have always been great crisis throughout. Its important to gain boldness and courage from those who have gone before us.
Chaos? Is it chaos or just a deepening evil that is escalating to a time "of Noah"?
I believe that it's neither calm nor anxiety filling a Christian person.....there is a peace that saturates our hearts, souls, and minds, and His name is Jesus, but "calm"? I'm reluctant to call it calm....if it means peaceful, then yes, calm is good. But I want to shout from the rooftops, I want to speak the truth in the face of calamity, with the peace and love of all those who were martyred for their faith.
In the words of Paul in Philippians 1:12-14 I leave with this:
Philippians 1:12-14King James Version (KJV)
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
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I read someone say the other day or rather asked why are Christians so pessimistic? I didn't reply because they weren't Christians & I didn't want to get into it with them. We're not pessimistic. We're just realists. We just call it as we see it & know what it is. It doesn't mean we have to like what we see does it? I know I don't like it though I expect it. Of course, we would all love to see this 'world peace' as the beauty contestants want but that's never going to happen. I'd love peace in the Middle East but that definitely isn't EVER going to happen. That is the joke of the ages. We're not pessimists. We just have the truth in black & white.
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Amen. We also already know that we have Victory in Christ because He has the victory. He's already won.
....It was very discerning to avoid giving a response, unless God is clearly leading you to say something.
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LOL, I'd love to see peace in the Middle East???? Here in America we don't have "peace." We don't see peace anywhere in this world and nor will we, ever. There will always be hatred, dissension, arguments, and wars, because this isn't about utopia here in this world, it's about power, control, and spiritual matters....this will never end, until the coming of our Lord and Savior the Lord Jesus Christ.
He tells us in His Word these things. People will hate us (those who follow Jesus), this we can be sure of. I am sure that this is only going to get worse and worse and worse.
Stand firm.
Ephesians
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
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And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. Matthew 24:6
We just tell it like it is. Face it folks. We don't sugar-coat stuff. We 100, fact-facing, all about truth, hiding nothing, Bible reading Realists. Call that pessimists if you want, I call it AWESOME. I don't have to worry about what the next second holds for me.
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