Finding Rest Under Pressure: Peace in Chaos
- Lee Young
- Jun 19
- 2 min read
Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)
16 This is what the LORD says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
Ask for the ancient paths.
Interestingly, the root word from which we get ‘rest’ in the original language can mean ‘to toss violently’ or ‘to rest or repose.’ The origin of the word signifies a sudden break from what is. The action of an eye blinking is given as an example in one Bible dictionary. The sudden closing of an eye provides us with a picture of what the Spirit is saying. God wants to give you a quick, immediate break from the hectic, high-pressure environment in which we live.
At each crossroads in life, there is potential for a sudden movement away from the chaos of a world that never slows down to find our souls at rest. The choice we have is not only a choice of the practical action to take in that particular moment, but it is also a choice between continued stress, anxiety, and fear or rest.
The rest we seek does not come from knowing we have made the perfect decision. There is no such thing. Life keeps moving. Every situation is dynamic. What is good today will not last long and may not be good the next time. This is the secular way. It is relying upon our own intellect, intuition, and resources. However, the fickle weather of life will soon have us in another storm.
The rest we seek comes from faith in the God who supersedes the frenzied movements of our world. He moves according to our moves. When we put our trust in Him at these crossroads in life, He has bound Himself by His own promises, and His character will not allow Him to break a promise.
He promises to act upon our faith to make things according to His plan for our lives. He intervenes with power. He works in all situations to prosper our souls. The good way may have difficulties, but these work to solidify our trust in Him, so our decisions in these crossroads are based on our faith that God is greater than our world, greater than our circumstances. We put our trust in Him, and He moves on our behalf. The confidence we have in God to shake what needs to be shaken and strengthen what needs to be secured to provide for us an abundant life sets our souls at rest.
Prayer: Lord, let me reframe every crossroads in life as an opportunity to move deeper into the rest that comes from trusting you. Give me peace in the chaos. Amen.
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