How can we stay calm when the world seems to be falling apart?
We can’t pretend there isn’t any pain or trouble in the world. We’d be hiding from life. That isn’t real.
And we can’t say, “All is well. Don’t worry.” That wouldn’t be honest. Because we are human, we all have moments that grip us with fear and chaos. God understands.
Because the truth is, there is unrest and tragedy happening in our country and in the world. On the heels of racism erupting in violence in Charlottesville, news of tragedy and death followed in Barcelona. And before we caught our breath, Hurricane Harvey has flooded houses, and families are suffering unspeakable losses.
With everything that’s happening in the news – combined with all that’s going on in our families, our friends’ lives, with our kids, our jobs, or the heated politics – we can feel despairing or overwhelmed.
Yet, in the midst of chaos, we have an anchor to hold onto in the storms of life: Jesus.
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and steadfast…where Jesus has entered. (see Hebrews 6:19–20)
Friends, we can find peace because no matter what is happening or will happen to us, God is never going to let go of us.
No matter what shape we find ourselves in, we have shelter, someone who will hold onto us during the storms in our lives: We have Jesus.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. He is my refuge and my fortress. (see Psalm 91:1-2)
The answer to overcoming all the voices of chaos and conflict?
Listen to God’s Whispers of Rest. Listen to God’s Greater Voice of Love – God’s Voice within you.
Soak in these powerful promises to calm your soul. In turn, you will become a voice of kindness and comfort to others, right in the realities of stress. I’ve collected 40 different promises and placed them in a book I just released called Whispers of Rest. Here are eight.
8 Powerful Promises to Calm Your Soul When the World’s Falling Apart
1. When we’re tossed by life’s storms, Jesus stands close, gently whispering —
Take my hand. I will carry you through. I am with you. I will be your peace.
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (Isaiah 46:4)
2. Come to Jesus as you are, however you are, Jesus whispers —
You can be weary. Just let me love you. Just rest.
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
Notice Jesus doesn’t say, Come to me strong, cheerful, without worries.
Jesus said the opposite. We’re invited to come to Him weary — whether confused, numb, anxious, angry, or stressed. Jesus tells us to simply come. Imperfectly His. As we are.
3.You may feel your world spinning out of control. The truth is we aren’t in control. But God is.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3)
Notice it doesn’t say you have to keep yourself in perfect peace. Just turn to God with our fears, or even feelings of anger or despair. Emotional honesty is radical, honest trust in God.
Trust God by confiding in Jesus – and you will experience the perfect peace of being understood.
You will experience the peace of being God’s beloved.
4. When you don’t have words to pray, rest knowing Jesus is praying for you.
Your silence will not drive Jesus away. Nothing can separate you from His love. Not even your unrest. He’ll never get tired of you. Sometimes, the greatest prayer we can experience is God’s complete understanding and compassion. His presence.
Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died . . . is also interceding for us. (Romans 8:34)
5. No trouble or worry is too small for God to take care with you. Stay strong, knowing God has you in the palms of His hands!
Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me. (Isaiah 49:16)
6. When you’re overwhelmed, whisper His name.
Remember receiving a first love note? It didn’t have to be long. Yet your heart felt known seeing your handwritten name. It kept you company in the daily grind. Whisper His name and listen for His echoes return in the quiet. God names the stars and He whispers your name.
He heals the broken hearted . . . He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them. (see Psalm 147:3-5)
7. We may be uncertain about our next steps, but we can be certain of God’s hand in ours.
Nevertheless I am continually with You. You hold me by my right hand. With Your counsel, You will guide me. (Psalm 73:23-24)
Exhale, sweet kindreds. You are safe in His embrace.
8. The hardness of the journey doesn’t mean you are on the wrong path.
Jesus whispers,
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
…
because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.
….
Do not be afraid, for I am with you. (see Isaiah 43:2-5)
A Whisper of Rest Prayer for Today: For Peace in a Storm
Dear Jesus,
Help me to see you in this storm.
Carry me back into the boat.
Calm my soul right now.
In the chaos of fear and uncertainty,
give me courage to hold on to You,
and trust this storm won’t last forever.
Take my hand. Be my peace.
Thank You for being faithful. Never letting me go. I love you.
Amen.
And finally, if anything should become broken – if our hearts should break beyond what we can bear – everything broken leads us to everything beautiful.
Because in everything broken, there stands Jesus.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?…
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.
Listen to God’s whispers of rest. Be His beloved. Just rest.
_____
What whispers of rest has God put on your heart – to calm your soul in the midst of chaos?
Let’s share and encourage each other!
_____
By Bonnie Gray, author of the new 40-day devotional detox Whispers of Rest.
Leave a Comment
Michele Morin says
I cherish the illusion that I am in control of things, but when the world “falls apart,” I’m reminded of Who’s really in control. Spurgeon said, “I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.”
I’m not anywhere close to that level of trust, but he certainly has given us something to trust for, hasn’t he?
Naomi Fata says
When the world seems to be ‘falling apart’ fear does take over people’s minds and actions. It is such a comfort to be able to turn to Him who holds all things – that Rock of Ages as Michele Morin mentioned in the previous comment!
Thanks for the encouraging words!!
Gretchen G says
Thank you for the beautiful reminders of God’s presence and unfailing love! Just the other morning I awoke in the grip of anxiety and fear and fought it with reminders of who God is and who I am. I will bookmark this devotion and keep it close. I know the enemy will continue to fire the arrows of fear at me…but meditating and praying over these verses is my best defense. Thank you, Bonnie!
Eunice B says
Thank you for these precious verses!! What a friend we have in Jesus, and such a wonderful reminder of His love and care for us…each day!
Liz says
Simply, thank you!
Lyn says
This really resonates with me, and oh how my family needed this in a big HUGE way. Thank you Bonnie for writing this today. We have lost two very young souls in a short time. I have 6 sisters and one older sister lost a daughter June 1 she was only 35 years old and my younger sister lost her son Aug 27 he was 26 years old the same age as my son. All I can do is cry. I whisper “GOD” always!
Penny says
Bonnie,
Your words always have a way of touching my heart, thank-you so much.
Blessings to all,
Penny
Kathy Cheek, Devotions from the Heart says
I know this post will encourage so many, and I hope many in southeast Texas read it and are reminded that God is with them through the storm and will be their strength through recovery and rebuilding.
I lived in Houston for 25 years before moving to Dallas in 2008, and it is heart wrenching to watch this happen and know many friends have watched the waters rise in their homes. I hope they remember their help is in the Lord.
Brenda says
Well that’s just beautiful. Thank you, Bonnie.
Mia says
During a recent worship service, in the midst of worship the leader said “He will quiet you with his love”…this spoke DIRECTLY to my spirit and brought such great comfort. I needed the “noise” to be quieted within me. I was not aware that those words were actually scriptural until this week where the verse was included within my daily devotional. How excited I was to see the words and what a wonderful confirmation! Zephaniah 3:17 ESV “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” ♥
Pearl Allard says
Bonnie, needed this. Thank you.
Nancy Ruegg says
I love your fresh insights for these promises, Bonnie: 1) We don’t have to keep ourselves in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3), just turn to God with emotional honesty and express our trust in Him. 2) Not silence, not even unrest, will drive Jesus away (Romans 8:34). 3) The hardness of the journey doesn’t mean we’re on the wrong path (Isaiah 43:2-5). My most noteworthy whisper of rest came a number of years ago, the day after receiving disturbing news: “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand” (John 13:7). Granted, Jesus was speaking these words to his disciples the night before his crucifixion. But the morning I “just happened” to turn to this verse, it spoke great encouragement and peace to me.
Rebecca L Jones says
Hi Bonnie, I recently got Whispers of Rest, and I have been enjoying it. I purchased it through DaySpring and wrote a review for you. I have been busy over the summer and writing my blog, also getting ready for the 31 Day writer’s challenge in October. I need lots of whispers and lots of rest, and I know where to turn, Jesus, the calm in the storm and your book helps us remember that.
Beth Williams says
Bonnie,
This is gorgeous. The world is chaotic and falling apart. Many people are facing storms. This will certainly encourage them. I had a few tumultuous years dealing with my aging dad & his dementia. There were good & bad days-like riding a roller coaster. Through it all God was there for me. He healed him for a while then took him home. I felt crazy & out of control of situations. Thankfully God is in control of this universe!! I have cried loudly Jesus help me. Each of these promises will help someone out there. Everyone-especially those in the Houston area need to remember that God is ALWAYS with us-seeing us through each trial.
Blessings 🙂
Frances H. Coddington says
Thank you, Bonnie. I needed this and I have shared it. I’m hoping to buy your book. Right now I’m doing another book study on this very subject.