Restful chaos

My world is in chaos.

Our nation is at war against an intrepid, crazed enemy. The Middle East is in an uproar. Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, N. Korea...anyone who's connected at all knows that we face a threat like no other at this time in our history. Whether this is WWIII, I am no authority to say, but I do know that the physical world around us is becoming more and more dangerous to Americans and to Christians everywhere.

On a closer plane, our personal life is stirred up.

We are without a home of our own, and though I GREATLY appreciate being able to stay at my parents home, there is an unrest in not having a place for my family to come apart from everyone else. I miss my own home, my own kitchen! :) I know many of you who read this can relate!

My family, my brothers, my in-laws...so many trials of life compass us right now!!! My husband and I both have a brother serving our country by fighting in this war in Iraq. How our hearts are burdened for their safety and return to us! My parents-in-law are going through great trials with their health. Another of my brothers is facing a difficult transition is his life.

Our church has just unexpectedly lost a precious, precious brother in Christ. His family, all of us who are his friends, we are all hurting and grieving. We just yesterday laid our brother's body to rest, knowing that already his spirit, his soul is eternally resting with our Saviour. We are all emotionally and physically worn from the events of this week.

Where can we find rest at times like this when the world around us is falling apart, our family is going through difficulties, and our church is facing such a loss?

Throughout my reading the past few days, there has been a theme of God's sovereignty, God's presence with His people and His care for us in the midst of the storms of life. Truly, the only peace I can find, the only trust I have is in this Almighty God I serve. This is the God that knows all these things-- from the greatest threat to the smallest hurt!

How can I despair when I know that God's hand is moving and controlling all things! He knows each moment, each day!
He knew what this week would hold for the Barker family.
He knew what this move would mean for me.
He knew what my brothers would face these past months.
And He alone knows what the future holds.

So, though there are times I feel that my world is coming apart and will never be "right" again, I have a place to turn. I have a Refuge in this storm.

I praise You, Lord, for your providences in my life! Thank you for holding me through all of it! Thank you that I can come to you through the blood of Christ and find all I need to face what each new day may bring. Thank you, my God, for choosing me, calling me out of my sin and restoring my soul! Help me to continue to see Your hand in my life and to continue trusting through whatever YOU bring my way. I love you, Lord!

But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
Psalm 115:1

The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
Psalm 145:17

The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
Psalm 126:3

For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will lead us even unto death.
Psalm 47:14

But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
Psalm 49:15

The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
Psalm 145:8, 9

I will extol thee, my God, O King; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
Psalm 145:1