4 Great Reminders to Comfort Our Souls in Times of Turmoil

Is your life in a state of turmoil? Has a major trial turned your life upside down? Right now mine is. I long for the peace and joy I had. What happened? I let Satan steal it! (Jn 10:10a)

Whenever we feel like this, the BEST thing we can do is to dig into God’s Word. So I’ve been re-reading Isaiah, a book of great comfort to me. God spoke to me through these verses:

⁸ “Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels.
⁹Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.
¹⁰ …I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
¹¹ From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.
¹² Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are far from righteousness.
¹³ I am bringing my righteousness near, it is not far away; and my salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion, my splendor to Israel.” (Is 46:8-13)

Here is what I sensed He was telling me:

We are to Remember

This is not the first time my life has been in such commotion. God was faithful to carry and sustain me then. So in this current craziness I am to remember that my unchanging God will do it again.

We are to Know

That He is God and in control—not me.

The phrase “I will do all that I please” (v 10) would be frightening if God wasn’t also holy, righteous, just, merciful, all-wise, good and loving. These troublesome circumstances through which you and I are going are part of God’s plan; His good perfect and pleasing plan (Rom 12:2; Jer 29:11).

God uses whatever and whoever He sees fit to accomplish His purposes (v 11). We may not like the “whatever” or “whoever” now, but we will in the end (although we may have to wait till we’re in heaven). God sees the big picture. We only see a teeny tiny piece that often doesn’t make sense.

We are to Believe

We need to not only know, but believe that what the Bible says about the character of God. God is who He says He is.

We are to Trust

Next we must step out in faith. Then our peace and joy will be restored.

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Ps 46:10)

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Let us listen to God. Let us not be stubborn-hearted (v 12). He is bringing His righteousness near and His salvation will not be delayed. (v 13)

God’s righteousness is near—here in Christ. You and I don’t have to rebel or be stubborn-hearted.

We can respond to this situation (no matter what it is) in a godly way.

Would you join me in this prayer?

Please help me, dear Jesus, my Righteousness and Rescuer. Save me from myself—my sinful self, so that Your splendor will be revealed in me and in these troublesome times.