Turmoil - Can It Really Be Overcome? Yep

Turmoil is my new word of the day. Lord knows we have a lot of it to deal with. The 24-hour news cycle is abuzz with “peaceful protesting” that looks an awful lot like rioting, as well as a tanking economy, increased joblessness and hunger, depression, alcoholism, and just about any other challenge humans have been known to face. Like a lot of other Americans these days, I’m a little taken aback. However, maybe we shouldn’t be surprised.

Going back as far as June of 1988, the Moody Bible Institute’s “Today in the Word” reported a pretty incredible statistic. From the beginning of recorded history up to that point, the entire world has been at peace less than eight percent of the time. In its study, the magazine found that in roughly 3,530 years of recorded history, only 286 years saw complete world peace.

Are we addicted to turmoil?

How about taking it a step further? Over that same time, more than 8,000 peace treaties were made and then broken. We human beings are creatures that seem to thrive on turmoil, don’t we? So why are we surprised at the turmoil in our country? It’s not like we’ve seen entirely smooth sailing in America, right?

Here’s another example: In London, the Society of International Law states that during the past 4,000 years, there’s been a total of 286 wars on the European continent alone.

Peace is a hard thing to find in this world. Are you ready to find some peace? Are you ready to find some encouragement and strength as the world seems to be heading straight to Hell in a handbasket? Are you terrified of death, even to the point that you won’t leave the house anymore? Are you willing to take a new look at Jesus?

If you happened to look at my other articles, one of them dealt with the fact that Jesus is not a fairy tale. There are far too many writings outside of the Bible that mention a man named Jesus who walked the Earth, claimed to be the Son of God, and was crucified. Many hundreds of people claimed to see Him alive after He rose again. He spawned a faith that hasn’t gone away for more than 2,000 years. There is no chance that imperfect human beings could make a lie last that long, let alone grow it into a worldwide faith.

He overcame everything the world threw at Him, and then some.

The world is throwing a lot of stuff at you right now. It’s hard to know where to turn and who to trust, isn’t it? How about a guy who gave His own life to bring you into a right relationship with the God of the Universe? I don’t know a lot of people that would be willing to die in my place, and I bet you don’t either. He did it for one very simple reason: love.

He loves you enough to die for you, even if you were the only person on the Earth. It’s nice to know you’re loved unconditionally by someone who can give you the peace you are so desperately looking for. Remember Isaiah Chapter 9, verse 6; “For to us a child is born, to us, a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.”

There’s that word again; peace. Even in the middle of the turmoil going on around you, it’s possible to have peace.

Peace in the storm? It is possible

Imagine going to the God of the Universe and being able to pour out your heart. You can. Philippians 4:6-7 says. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication (asking, making requests) with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all (human) understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ.” Noticing a pattern when it comes to the word “peace” yet?

After Jesus rose from the dead, He was preparing to rejoin God up in Heaven. Before departing, He promised the disciples that they would know a peace that they wouldn’t find anywhere on Earth. John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you, but it’s not as the world gives (It can’t give you peace). Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Is it a stretch to say that the human heart can’t know peace without spiritual, supernatural help from above?

Are you ready for peace, way down deep inside your soul? It’s time to invite Jesus into your life, the only one willing to die for you to give you a relationship with the God who created you. His love is unconditional. It’s never-ending. It’s mighty. And it offers the peace you’re looking for.

How about saying yes?