Peace in a Turbulent Season

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. –Psalm 127:1

In the mornings, I like to sit down to enjoy a cup of hot tea and soak in a moment of peace before I jump into the busyness of the day. But lately, the sense of peace I get from God in those special moments quickly disappears the moment I log onto my computer.

The latest political news crowds the screen, and my social media feeds are full of heated comments from one side or the other. Sadness, frustration, and even anger steal the peace I felt just moments before, and I start my day fighting rising anxiety. The months leading up to a turbulent election are even worse.  

Sometimes, I’m tempted to unplug all my communication devices and shut the door to keep the world from creeping in. But God didn’t call us to hide in a hole, even during an election season. So, how do we walk in His peace in an increasingly chaotic world? 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

Our God is a God of abundance. He wants us to live our lives full of peace, love, and joy. The enemy uses anxiety, anger, and frustration to steal what God has meant for us to enjoy. But living that out when the media around us is screaming negativity is not easy. 

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. (Psalm 127:2)

When we eat the “bread of anxious toil,” it disrupts the life God intended for us to have. It even invades our sleep. God must build the house and watch over the city. He must be in charge of my day from those glorious moments of peace first thing in the morning to my last thoughts as I’m drifting off to sleep. But here’s the catch—we must let Him.

When Peter got out of the boat to walk on the water, his eyes were fixed on Jesus. But when he let them wander, he caught a glimpse of the swirling waves and his focus broke. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” (Matthew 14:30) In a single moment, Peter looked at the chaos of the storm around him instead of the One who brought him peace. That’s all it took for the turmoil around him to seep into his soul and create fear and anxiety. 

We can’t avoid the barrage of political ads and negative news that streams onto our lives every day, but we do have a choice. Do we allow the media to dictate our focus? Or do we keep our eyes fixed on the One who promises us peace in the midst of a storm? 

Lord, thank You for giving us a way to endure the storms we face and giving us an everlasting peace that we can count on! 

~

Scripture is quoted from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.