Stress and the Tranquility of Truth – Part One
Stress is probably one of the most often mentioned issues affecting total well-being. Some seem to thrive in it while most are drowning in it. Much of our stress revolves around truth versus lies.
Let me explain by beginning with a visit to a peculiar family.
If you watch television at all, I’m sure you’ve met Mayhem. He’s become a rather popular guy thanks to a certain company's commercials. What you might not have realized is who his parents might be: Chaos and Confusion.
Chaos and confusion show up in many arenas allowing “Little Mayhem” to run around in our physical world, our emotions, our spiritual experiences, at church, in relationships, financial matters, and politics to wreak havoc.
I recently found myself skimming two military documents: Chaos Theory and Strategic Thought and Chaos as Strategy. A small part from one of them reads:
“The objective: Convince leaders no clear solution exists within their sphere of control.”
And: “Adversaries will almost certainly use the leverage of chaos as a strategy for gain.”
I then realized this is not a novel thought.
We live in a spiritual war zone and Satan, our adversary is the author of chaos and uses it for his gain all the time. You’ve no doubt heard his lies to promote chaos:
There is no hope,
There’s no way out
God doesn’t care about you
It’s all your fault
The scriptures are full of chaos. Listen to the psalmist cries as he experiences chaos and confusion:
….trouble and anguish have found and taken hold of me……many are my persecutors and adversaries…….my tears have been my food day and night…….
Fortunately, our Psalmist knows who to go to in his chaos: …..Lord, out of the depths I cry to you.
Throughout scripture we are reminded:
Tranquility can rest within us – peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. John 14:27
There is a way through the darkness – Thy word is a lamp unto my feet. Psalm 119:105– He is the Light of the world. John 8:12
We can delight in God’s commands – They are life to us. Proverbs 3:1-3 – Guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Proverbs 7:2
We are not alone – We take refuge in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91– He will walk with us through the valley of the shadow of death, Psalm 23. I am with you always, Matthew 28:20.
It is not in the absence of chaos but rather in the presence of truth during the chaos, that we find peace. The TRANQUILITY OF TRUTH!
Allow me to bless you with this prayer:
I bless your spirit with the ability to detect the lie, expose it and disarm it by speaking truth in its stead. I bless you with clear thinking in the presence of chaos and confusion enabling you to light the way with truth, hope, healing and peace for yourself as well as others during your personal storms. I bless you with victory over satan’s chaos and his plans to destroy people by putting them in touch with the Prince of Peace. Allow the tranquility of truth, and the peace of God to prevail wherever you find yourself. Amen.