Slaying GiantsSample

The Turmoil Giant

“O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Psalm 131:1-2 (ESV)

“But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.”

Isn’t this description a perfect picture of peace? Even surrounded by turmoil, there is a place to reside that gives us a sense of peace that carries us through the circumstances that surround us. I ask people all the time how their soul is. My close acquaintances who know the reason for this question know that I’m concerned about the inner man or woman that occupies their life. I’m less concerned with the circumstances they are dealing with, for circumstances come and go. But I am concerned about the peace of God in their souls, for that shows me that God’s Spirit is leading them. Why is this important? It is because God creates us to live inside out, and this resting place that centers us in Him influences the way we process our circumstances, thus “inside out.”

Too often, I hear someone give an answer to my question about their soul health based on their circumstances, whether they are good or bad. This is an outside-in perspective. This perspective leads to an up-and-down life with its peace. I believe they want better, more stability with their emotions, and they want to know how to process the challenging circumstances they face. Do they realize that God also wants it for them and has secured it in Jesus? Look what He said:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 (ESV)

There is a peace that the world gives to us and a peace that God gives us. The world’s peace is circumstantial. It’s up and down. But let’s be honest about the world’s peace that we see today. Do you see a peaceful world? Do we see government and world leaders trying to secure peace for people? Look at the anger and hate. Look at the “agitators” who stir people up to control them. The last thing these “agitators” want is peace. They want turmoil and revolution and votes and power. Angry people are easy to control by these agitators. Look at the media and how they promote agitation in concert with the agitators. Peace doesn’t sell news. Violence and conspiracy are the favorite tools to get an audience. Look at a once peaceful and prosperous nation in Eastern Europe. What happened to their peace when a Russian thug envied their freedom and port of entry? He launched a war. He disturbed their peace, and now the whole world is under his evil influence. These are the things that the world will give us. At best, there is only a glimmer of peace at times, but there is less of it now. So, if you think this world can and will give you the peace you deep down long for, you will be mistaken in putting your hope in it.

However, there is peace that can center us in spite of the world’s fluctuations. To have this peace that is not influenced by our circumstances, we have to go a contrary path to get there and find it. The giant of turmoil has got to be faced down and defeated, just like all other evil giants in our life must be done away with. It stands in your way to real peace. It is a roadblock. He looks big and powerful, and menacing, but he is only a bully, and a bully will flee when we stand in his face, stand our ground, and proclaim the name of Jesus as our victory over him. As I stated before, with the model David gave us, when he faced Goliath, he proclaimed victory in the name of the Lord, and it was in God’s power through David that the giant fell that day. So, it will be for you if you go to the place where you find the strength and resolve to do battle with your turmoil giant and claim your victory.

“How can I go to this place you speak of,” you may ask. Begin your journey to this inner place of peace with God by surrendering yourself to Him. It is called consecration. Dedicate your life and circumstances to the Lord for His blessings on you. Ask Him to come and get you and take you to this place near Him. Remember, it is His desire that you come and remain there. It is His idea, His invitation, and He created a path for you to come to Him. Cease your worry and fear and instead embrace the sovereign control of God over your life. When you fully embrace it, peace will fall over you like gentle cool rain on a very hot day. His peace will assure you that He has you and all you are concerned about is in His care. Then you will know a peace that surpasses all understanding as He comes to guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

Time to slay the Giant of Turmoil in your life.