In all the chaos of the last several years and now into 2023 it is almost impossible not to become confused. We’ve had a constant pattern of unprecedented and conflicting information. It seems that the information that we received yesterday changes today with updated information, statistics, and facts. With this ever-changing information, opinions, rather than facts, become the driving force.
We have come to mistrust those giving information which puts many of us in a constant state of confusion. We want to believe the best in those who are presenting information to us, but sadly, it has become increasingly more difficult to trust what we hear (and even see) happening around us every day.
The thing about confusion is that it usually causes us to feel anxious and panicked. Decision-making becomes almost impossible when we are confused, and our thoughts can bounce all over the place. We become restless and have no real peace. This is not how believers are supposed to live, considering the One whom we follow, our Savior, has the title “Prince of Peace.”
God never brings confusion. He calls us to a life of peace. That does not mean life will never be confusing, but the Lord does not want us to live in a constant state of confusion.
John 16:29-33 ESV His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (emphasis mine)
God is the creator and source for peace. He is also the source of ultimate truth. Through Satan, the author of confusion and the father of lies, the world can lie to us every single day and try to bombard our minds with conflicting information, but we know that we can run to God when we feel overwhelmed and find His perfect truth in His Word.
John 8:44 ESV You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
John 8:31-32 ESV So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
No matter what is going on around us, even if it seems like everything is falling apart, we must remember that God holds the entire universe in His hands. He is completely sovereign. Nothing passes through His hands by accident. He is in total control and has a great plan regarding all of it.
Hebrews 11:3 ESV By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
Colossians 1:15-17 NLT Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see-- such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. (emphasis mine)
During confusing situations, we don’t have to know every single fact. We can rest in the truth that we serve Truth Himself. We must remember to keep our eyes fixed on the God of peace and know that His perfect peace is available to us every single day.
Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.