Many may be expecting me to write on the ongoing crisis in the land: the #EndBadGovernaceProtests and the proposed xenophobic #IgboMustGoProtests. I choose to toe a different path because none of these matters. Governance, good or bad, must end someday; so must those who want Ndigbo to go, go the way of mortals too, some day.
Yes, like death that shall also die someday, all humanity shall go one after another, whether you are from the East or West, North or South. Only the ignorant think they would remain on this parched earth forever.
However, of particular interest to me is how to maintain my sanity in dire moments like these.
So many times in life, tragedies strike, sometimes inexplicable. How many times have we witnessed calamities? We search for answers but get no clues. We petition the heavens but get only loud silence. We fast and pray but it seems these activities exacerbate the situation.
For those who know their God and how He works, such times do not call for despair. Knowing that we are not exceptions, we feed our hope on Him who promised to succour us without fail.
I have come to discover that even in times of crises, one could be as calm as the serene blue sea. Is it really possible to find peace like a river when the world (Nigeria) is in a turmoil?
Morgan Young says yes, in this message:
As we focus our lives on the truths we know about God’s plan of salvation and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can echo the expression that everything will be all right in the end – and if it’s not all right, it’s not the end.
After my most recent reading of one of my favourite novels, I was struck by what a sad and difficult journey the central family faces. Some of their circumstances are warranted, but others feel undeserved. Yet, through these challenges, the family receives blessings to sustain them.
One phrase from the book, “peace like a river,” got me wondering. What does it mean to have peace like a river, especially when the circumstances of life are anything but peaceful?
In Isaiah 48:18, we read these words of the Lord: “O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments – then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.”
I value this imagery of peace being compared to a river, continually running. The water surges over rocks, logs, falls, or any other kind of debris. The river simply finds a way to go around or over obstacles. It just keeps flowing. So, when I think of peace like a river, I think of peace as something that can be continually flowing in our lives despite our circumstances or the obstacles that may get in our path.
So, how can we feel peace continually flowing in the midst of turmoil and when life feels turbulent? As we focus our lives on the truths we know about God’s plan of salvation and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can echo the expression that everything will be alright in the end – and if it’s not alright, it’s not the end.
My testimony of Jesus Christ’s gospel helps me feel that I can be in the midst of turmoil and still feel peace in my heart. It brings such peace and gratitude to me to know that whatever life brings can be overcome through the enabling power and strength of Jesus Christ.
By saying that, I don’t want to suggest that whatever happens to us will be easy, pain-free or without sorrow, but it does help me tremendously to know there is always hope and help through the Saviour and that all things can eventually be healed.
Consider times when people came to Jesus in great distress and He responded with words, such as “Peace, be still” or “Be not afraid, only believe” (Mark 4:39; Mark 5:36).
These calm responses don’t mean Jesus never felt troubled, sorrowful, or anguished – or that we won’t either. With His understanding of the plan of salvation and complete trust in His Father’s will, He was able to endure all things and overcome so He might be able to succour us in all things.
As He said: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
So, how do we experience peace flowing in our lives like a river? We go to the source – to Jesus Christ. I gratefully recognise the peace that I can have in my life today and each day because of His Atonement. I am so thankful for all He suffered to be able to bring me that peace.
Anne Graham Lotz tells us, “It’s Time to Pray!”
She clarifies: When you don’t have any words, or when you feel like you’re beating down God’s door with the same prayer day after day, ask God’s Holy Spirit to help you. The Bible tells us the Holy Spirit is an intercessor for us and cries out to God on our behalf.
Immerse Yourself in God’s Word when you feel as if your very soul hurts from news reports of another shooting, evil act or disaster.
There is a place of refuge. The Bible tells us, “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him” (Proverbs 30:5).
Guard your heart. Do our minds ever erase graphic images such as horrifying footage from tragic events?
You may have experienced what’s called secondary trauma from viewing video clips and photos on TV and social media. It’s important to recognise how these lasting impressions can affect you, as they can be physically, emotionally and spiritually damaging. Learn how to cope with stress from troubling incidents.
It’s important to guard your heart, but you can also support others, experiencing secondary trauma – some who may be going through a personal crisis as well.
Learn how to share hope amidst everyday tragedies.
No matter how out of control the world gets, taking action and selflessly serving others can allow God’s perfect peace to fill your heart.
In other words, let love spread and lead. Yes, you can have peace and joy, even in the midst of your haters. When your compatriots hate you without cause, love them. When they ask you to go, let them show you where to go. Don’t hate or fight back.
Nigeria has become a joke among the comity of nations because of trust in the arm of the flesh and fumbling, sleazy politicians. Nigeria is crumbling because of hate fueled by jealousy and envy of our fellows.
I think it is foolhardy for anyone to think that one could delete the ‘dot in a circle’ and still expect to retain the structure. Of course, once the dot is gone, being the nerve, every other thing around it would fold up. So, where would this lead us if not the abyss?