By using prayer as the first line of defense, we know we can never go wrong.
As someone who's always struggled with anxiety, keeping peace amid chaos has never been my strength. I often cater to the emotions inside me, the emotions that then overrule my actions. Throughout the Bible, numerous examples of peacemakers are found who maintain peace amid chaos. With the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us, we can always maintain peace. The important thing is not to give in to outside circumstances or allow our minds to give over control to our spirits.
Although anxiety is something I'll probably always struggle with, I have learned over the years to remain peaceful even when things seem to be out of control. Here's how I learned to stay peaceful when chaos surrounds me:
Remember Who’s in Control
No matter how chaotic things become, I must remember that God remains in control. This is the bigger picture of everything in my life. When I don't understand why things are happening the way they are, or when things become chaotic due to the overwhelming emotions in the situation, I must remember that God is not surprised by any of this. He is not wracked with fear over the outcome. Instead, he remains in control because he knows he is the one who is in control and makes the final decision regarding the outcome.
I must also remember that God is in control, and when I feel out of control, that's when my fear intensifies. I deceive myself into thinking that I can control certain things, and I feel upset or nervous when things feel out of control. However, it's the wrong perspective. I must remember that God is in control of the situation. He knows how everything's going to turn out. Even if the problem doesn't turn out as I’d like, he can provide me with new ways to start a new chapter in my life.
Be a Peacemaker
Instead of being the person who must maintain peace, I can be the person who makes peace even amid chaos. Matthew 5 tells us in the Beatitudes that peacemakers are those who are blessed. Although peace cannot be achieved in every situation, it's important to remember to be the person who makes peace. This means I may have to be the one who seeks someone else out and wants to reconcile their relationship. This may mean offering an apology first, even if we were the ones who were wrong.
I need to analyze my heart and discover if there are any areas in this situation where I was at fault. If the answer is yes, then I need to make peace with that person. It's more important to be in the right relationship than to be right. In an argument, people are fighting to have their way or to be proven right, putting on a facade of intelligence or arrogance. However, wanting to be right fills their heart with pride. Pride is the antithesis of healthy relationships. When people are filled with pride, they tend to look inward and satisfy their own selfish desires. People who have humility, however, can see things for what they truly are. They are natural peacemakers who can reconcile when necessary, offer and ask for forgiveness, and rebuild trust to maintain a healthy relationship.
Don’t Initiate Conflict
Believe it or not, some people thrive on drama. If their lives are boring and they don't see much fruit from it, it's easier for them to create drama to put themselves at the center and get the attention they want. However, this is not a healthy way to achieve peace. Although it is essential at times to point out someone's sins so that they may grow and that relationship can be preserved, it is not always good to be the person who initiates conflict. This is especially true if the only motivation is to use it as a protective measure.
Don't initiate conflict, but don't run from it either. Running from conflict will only allow someone to ignore or overlook issues. Although it may appear as if those issues are dismissed, the reality is that they are not. Those issues will eventually rear their ugly heads. Do your best to resolve conflicts effectively so that every party derives the maximum benefit. When healthy people are involved in conflict, they use this uncomfortable situation to heal and grow. Either person seeks to meet that need by either resolving the conflict or preventing conflict from even beginning. This can alleviate a lot of drama and conflict for all those involved.
Pray
Prayer is always the best tool because it allows us to go to God with anything. Scripture says to ask God for anything. This may mean even the most outlandish request. When we are amid chaos, it's easy to try to resolve it on our own. We desperately try to see ourselves as people who can resolve conflicts and avoid drama. However, God understands both sides and the unmet needs each person possesses. He can turn any situation around to his advantage. We must ask him. Those who choose to ask the Lord for anything will be blessed beyond measure.
Don't pray simply by rattling off a list of prayer requests. Instead, go to God, thank him for who he is, confess your sins, and then launch into your requests. You'll be surprised at how the intimacy between you and God deepens. Make the request the last part of your meeting with God. Let God know how much you mean to him first, then present your requests to him. You can ask for anything in his name. If it is his will, it will be done. We can take comfort in the fact that God knows every situation and every good that will come out of it. By using prayer as the first line of defense, we know we can never go wrong.
Be Strong
Be steadfast in your identity. Don't let fear weigh you down and allow Satan to implant lies into your mind. Lies can soon turn into doubts about who God is and who you are when left unchecked. Allow God to anchor you in his Word. The person who clings to God allows him to deal with every situation as he sees fit. The stronger you remain during conflict, the more people will trust you and want to follow you because of your leadership. Be a person who leads others. Don't follow behind.
Be extremely resilient. Help yourself bounce back from whatever chaos you're going through. Give yourself ample time to heal, and once you've done so, you'll be better equipped to make the necessary adjustments, such as repairing the relationships in your life. It won't be how much money we have or the accomplishments in our lives. Instead, it will be about who God is and our identity in him. When we understand that God sees us as heirs to His throne, we need to act accordingly.
Achieving peace amid chaos is never easy. Sometimes it is downright impossible. Nonetheless, we must all do what we can to make sure peace is achieved in every area of our lives. Do an honest assessment of your relationships. For other people in your life, when do you need to reconcile or make peace so that you can live a life of harmony and unity in Christ?
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