Calm Hearts In a Chaotic World
Calm Hearts in a Chaotic World
In Pixar’s 2014 film Inside Out, there’s one character in the mind of young Riley that resonates with me way too closely: Fear! In the movie, this character hits the panic button with any little issue Riley faces, whether big or small. I found myself nervously laughing as I realized, “That’s me!”
My particular “the sky is falling” moment happens when the “Check Engine” light comes on my car’s dash. Within milliseconds, my mind rushes from “Oh no!” to “How much money do we have in the emergency account?” to “We can’t afford another car right now,” to “We’re going to be homeless and destitute…we won’t survive this.” Maybe you can relate?
My car’s issues are dwarfed by the larger cultural, national, or international issues constantly bombarding us: presidential elections, coronavirus variants, supply chain shortages for Christmas gifts, rising gas prices. Truth be told, there is no shortage of things that can whip up worry and anxiety in the human heart.
How should a Christian approach those things that cause fear, worry, and anxiety, especially when the Bible explicitly labels anxiety a sin (for example, see Matt. 6:25 and Phil. 4:6)? Is it possible to have a calm heart when the world around us seems to be in chaos?
Christian platitudes fall short in effectively dealing with anxiety: “Let go and let God,” “This too shall pass,” “God never gives you more than you can handle.” While we’d like to think a certain amount of self-determination will keep our hearts in a good place, what if the truth is, we need something outside ourselves to have true peace?
The Bible consistently and accurately calls us to turn to Christ when we begin to worry, become anxious, or succumb to fear. It’s only through a robust and ongoing relationship with Jesus that we can find true calmness in a world tossed to and fro by the brokenness of sin.
One of my favorite passages to help my anxious heart is Philippians 4:4-9 (ESV). The Apostle Paul begins with a command to rejoice – a nearly impossible thing to do if my heart is gripped by the clutches of anxiety at the moment. So how do I do that? I think verse 5 is key: “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.”
“The Lord is at hand.” Paul could’ve been referring to the imminent return of Jesus, a common theme in his epistles. However, he must’ve also had in mind that Jesus is always present in the life of believers! Many verses throughout the Scriptures affirm the nearness of God as our helper, provider, shelter, and defender (check out the Psalms for a refresher). These truths should bring great comfort.
So when my heart begins to speed toward the downward spiral of anxiety, the first step is to remember, “The Lord is near.” And since He promises to never leave me nor forsake me (Heb. 13:5b), I know His steady presence is standing by and helping me.
Whether the light comes on my dash or the next variant of the coronavirus has been detected in North America, I can be confident that the Lord has not abandoned me. Therefore, I need to repent of any anxiety that has already crept into my heart. I need to turn to Christ with the joyful expectation that He is still in control.
This repentance leads me straight into the prayer we find in verse 6: “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” “God, you know I need reliable transportation to accomplish my duties at church and work. I know I can trust you to help me with whatever repairs are necessary.” “God, you know I’d rather be physically healthy. But even if you choose otherwise, I know Your purposes with my life will not fail.”
And what is God’s response to sincere prayer offered in this way? Verse 7, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Again, notice this happens “in Christ Jesus.” As we bury our lives in Him, we find that His peace surrounds and guards us.
Practically though (besides acknowledgement of His presence and then prayer), how do I get keep my mind from spinning out of control? Check out verse 8. I call this the “Think List.” “Finally, brothers, what is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (emphasis mine).
Take a notecard and make a list of as many things as you can think of that match the descriptions found in verse 8. Then, as your mind begins to move toward those things that cause turmoil in your soul, pull out your notecard and redirect your thinking to those things.
At the top of your list should be the work of Christ on the cross for your salvation! If your salvation has been accomplished and is secure, then your eternal destination is known. Every worry in this world begins to fade in light of that magnificent truth.
As the old hymn goes, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full in His wonderful face; and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace!” May you find calm amid the chaos as you lean on Christ!
