Do you see others doing well, having all the things, and get angry or anxious about your struggles? I do. Discontentment is a continual battle. Today, in this 40-day fast to be still and know God more, we are going to see how to find peace in the midst of chaos to be still in the needs of everyday life when discontentment threatens to cause anxiety.
Did you find this 40-day Fast to learn How to Be still mid-series?
Do you forget to be still and pursue God for peace in the midst of chaos because the needs of life are physical and right in your face? Click To TweetPeace in the Midst of Chaos Scripture for Study
Today we turn our attention to Psalm 4 which is a great scripture on peace in the midst of chaos. David gives us useful insight into how to be still in the needs of everyday life and know God more.
“Tremble [with anger or fear], and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still [reflect on your sin and repent of your rebellion]. Selah.” (Psalm 4:4 AMP)
Where Is Peace in the Midst of Chaos?
The context of Psalm 4:4 is important for understanding this finding peace in chaos Bible passage. David wrote this Psalm to help believers in God in their walk and worship.
He is answering the question, “Where is peace in the midst of chaos?” To answer it, David begins with a reminder that God has been faithful. He then makes a request that He hears this prayer. Finally, he focuses on the sinfulness of men.
It is easy to live in our old flesh or carnal nature, to love what is worthless, and to waste our lives away pursuing the things of this world. We spend too much time searching for peace in the things of this world rather than finding peace in God.
Do you forget to be still and pursue God for peace in the midst of chaos because the needs of life are physical and right in your face?
Yep, guilty as charged. I get so focused on the need in front of me that I forget God is my help and support through life. What are your physical needs right now?
Some of my needs change daily, but many are the same.
I need help taking care of the house, raising the kids, paying the bills, handling grief over situations that are too hard to explain… My focus day in and day out is on the physical side of life.
- Make the meals
- Clean the house
- Balance the checkbook – (pray it’s not red)
- Teach the kids
- Make my husband a priority when I am so exhausted from keeping tiny humans alive
The physical needs of life take their toll until there is nothing left to give anyone – least of all God. How do you stay peaceful in the midst of chaos?
Many times I ask God “How can I calm my anxiety when life is hard?” Can you relate?
Related Post: How can I calm my anxiety when life is hard?
How Do You Stay Peaceful in the Midst of Chaos?
We can make three observations about how to be still from Psalm 4:4.
- Remember God’s command
- Remember God is bigger
- Meditate (or intentionally think) about God with gratitude and worship
The first is clearly just to remember that God said to be still. David reminds the people that God sets apart the godly men for Himself and that the Lord hears when you call to Him – I love that reminder.
Do you need to be reminded that God hears when you call to Him in the midst of your needs and the chaos of everyday life? I need that reminder but honestly, it leaves me with more questions.
- But how do you keep your mind calm and peaceful?
- How can we remember to call out to Him and be still when there are real needs and real chaos?
How do you get peace in chaos? Psalm 4:4 gives us clear directions.
Tremble [With Anger or Fear], and Do Not Sin.
What does it mean to tremble but not sin? What does it mean to be angry and not sin?
The word tremble is talking about the fear of the Lord. Remember how big God is. It’s so easy to see how big my problems are and feel anxious but God is bigger than my problem!
Make intentional time to remember that God is bigger than your problem every day!
Meditate
Meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still [reflect on your sin and repent of your rebellion].
When you lie down, instead of being angry about all the needs and the chaos of life, take time to fear God. Be still here is referring to our anxious thoughts.
Don’t worry about your needs, give those needs to your big trustworthy God. Spend time reflecting on your day, confess the times you are worried, and ask God to help direct your thoughts to Him in those times tomorrow.
Related: 7 Different Types of Biblical Fasting
In the Midst of the Storm, God Is There
The application from Psalm 4:4 is peace! To be still in the midst of the needs and chaos of life requires you to remember God is bigger than your problem. God is bigger than chaos. In the midst of the storm, God is there!
What is chaos in the Bible? The Psalm goes on to address how easy it is to be discontent with our path in life which leads to chaos. We wish for the good things others have forgetting that we are all in a different season.
Don’t Compare
We live with a faulty perspective of others’ lives! You have no idea how long your friend’s season of waiting and hardship was before she received her good things. On top of this, you have no idea what things are hard for her right now.
Discontentment comes when we compare the best parts of someone’s life with the hard parts of our own life. Trust God, even though the needs seem too many and the chaos seems beyond your ability to cope, God, is with you in the midst of the storm.
How Do You Stay at Peace?
When we keep our eyes and thoughts on God and throw off the bondage of discontentment, we can rest in peace.
To be still in the midst of the chaos of life is to find true peace with God no matter how many needs we are still facing.
Related Post: 6 Verses That Help Me Think Truth -Peace of Mind
A Prayer for Peace in the Midst of Chaos
Holy Spirit,
Remind me that You are with me, within me every day. As the chaos closes in on me and the needs seem to overwhelm me remind me to be still and know You are with me, You never leave me or forsake me. You’ve been faithful in the past, help me remember those times when I want to give up hope in these trials.
Forgive me for longing for the good of others and growing weary in this season. Forgive my discontentment and habit of trying to fix things myself. Teach me to wait for You, trust Your no and Your not yet, because You are trustworthy. Keep my eyes fixed on You so that Peace that paces understanding will stay.
Amen
Related: Adding Fasting and Prayer for Marriage Blessing
Will you Choose Peace in the Midst of Chaos?
If anyone in scripture had experience with chaos it was David. It is encouraging to see how he found peace in the midst of chaos. If David could learn how to be still in the needs of everyday life – so can I, so can you!
How can we all have peace in the midst of real needs? Fear God and spend intentional time meditating on all He has done in your life.
God has done a lot in my life, how about you?
When I stop to look back on how big God has been, how God has shown up and shown off in my past I find peace.
Can I pray for you over the struggles you are facing? Drop a comment below and I’ll be praying for you today!
In HIM,
Tiffany of Hope Joy in Christ inspires Christian Women to grow in faith, live out Biblical Marriage Principles and raise Godly Children. Join the Wives Only Facebook Group here or keep up with her through Pinterest.
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It’s SOOOO hard (yet soooo important) to remember that God is bigger than my problems. He proves it to me time and again, and yet I still tend to worry.
Praise Him that he never get’s tired of proving it because we all forget so often!
Meditate usually helps me to reflect on my life
It is such a helpful practice Mimi.
This is very interesting to learn about, very helpful, thank you for sharing
So glad it blessed you Paula!
i relate
Praying over you today Tony.
Thank you for this posting. Yes I do forget sometimes, and I have to remind myself to focus on God and what He is doing in me and not others. It’s a comparison when we do that and comparison will cause us to fail to see the great work God is doing in and through us. Love you much!
Amen to that Dorlita!
I do so often forget to trust in God, this is helpful.
It’s so easy to forget isn’t it. Praising God it blessed you Leigh.
Staying in peace means resting in the promises of God and using our faith muscle! God has taught me that if I don’t flex my faith muscle it will never get strong so I am committed to fighting against discontentment by being still in His presence! Thank You Tiffany for always encouraging us with the Word!
I have been overwhelmed by the response to this series. It is out of my norm but right where God has me. Thanks for the encouragement Sheila.
Tiffany, I appreciate the reminder to be still and know He is God. Life is still so crazy and I have adult children. I help take care of my grandson, by picking him up after school and watching him when he is ill. I also work part time, blog and have the usual daily tasks that are part of life and marriage. It is very hard to find time to be still, and when I do, I often don’t want to bask in His presence. It seems like too much work. I know that is silly and I am so thankful that He knows me inside out, up and down and His lovingkindness is everlasting. Thanks for the reminder. – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
what a blessing your comment is Amy. I think the every day things can wear us down as much as the hard seasons of trial. Praying God blesses you with His peace today.
I love it whenever people come together and share ideas.
Great site, keep it up!
Those are my thoughts as well, Jayden! We need to do life together! Praying you are well.