Being Still Amidst the Chaos

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How are you doing?

(Or as a good friend would pointedly ask me "How are you REALLY doing?)

Well, I’m being stretched in my faith while experiencing a wrestling match in my spirit AND in my gut as I feel things deeply. Often too deeply at times which can take me out if left unchecked.

We've all got our own issues in life to deal with; let alone global events which can be real heavy, heh? You wouldn't be human if it didn't affect you in some way. I do believe it is important to be informed at a level that is appropriate for us at any given time. If you're like me, you want to learn more about the atrocities that face humanity- BUT can be just overwhelming at times... There's got to be a balance to our learning journey that is healthy for our souls.

Yet…I hear the Spirit of the Lord whisper to my soul amidst the chaos: “Be Still”

I've seen a ton of posts "Pray for Ukraine" (which leads to "Pray for Russia" and pray for the nations...) which I do as led, but at the same time, I want to understand the heinous situation more. My husbands ancestry is Ukrainian /Polish as his grandparents came to Canada and started their families here. We also have friends with Russian or Ukrainian backgrounds too. This war is forcing me to learn more of Ukraine's history of highs and lows. With limited understanding of what's going on, I know I will only brush the surface.

Tim and I try to keep each other in check with heavy topics by doing something intentionally in our day to day that is life giving. (I've learned over the years that "Compassion Fatigue" or "Vicarious Trauma" is a real thing and its effects on our overall health: mental- physical-emotional- relational,-spiritual health requires intentional self care and boundaries.) We need a balance when it comes to staying informed.:

  • #1 Not too much input to overtake us- being all consuming, or

  • #2 not putting our 'heads in the sand' either

Regarding the current war in Ukraine with Russia that began on February 24th 2022 where Russia launched a large-scale military invasion of Ukraine- an escalation to a conflict that began in 2014)* We try and watch the highlights from various global sources + local feeds that plug into the global narrative, (neutral/ non partisan, + right leaning or left leaning, plus faith based coverage to hear from various vantage points.) I'm grateful for the diverse voices out there who lend their influence & addressing the topics of freedom and justice for all. On social media, we can’t possibly keep up with all the news or the positive influencer posts as it’s just too much…

Yet…I hear the Spirit of the Lord whisper to my soul amidst all the voices “Be Still”

This week I watched the Netflix Documentary "Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom" (2015) Winter on Fire documented the protests/ movement/ revolution in 2013-2014 there. A hard watch, but good. (Content/Trigger warning). That helped give me perspective on the current crises from that piece of history.

“In 1932–33, dictator Josef Stalin engineered a food shortage in Soviet Ukraine. His goal was to destroy Ukrainian ambitions for independence and ensure Ukrainian subservience to the Soviet state. As a result, millions of Ukrainians experienced the extended suffering of desperate hunger and died. This famine‐genocide is now known as the Holodomor.” - CMHR

Fast forward 90 years now here in 2022, this war is raising many questions in the hearts of believers and unbelievers alike with fears looming for the various outcomes. I appreciated reading a blog by Canadian Jay Brock (living abroad in Europe with his wife and baby), who writes for Future Faith and Surviving Tomorrow. On his blog “How Will The War In Ukraine End” from March 5th, 2022, he shares three scenarios how the war might end: 1) Russia wins, 2) WW3, or 3) Putin ousted.

Jay writes:

“…The question on everyone’s mind is: 

  • How will this war end?

  • Will NATO put boots on the ground?

  • Will Ukraine pull off a stunning upset?

  • Will Putin steamroll right over Ukraine and a dozen other countries to restore the ancient empire of Rus?

  • Will Russian billionaires continue to sell their soccer teams to help Ukraine while others post million-dollar bounties for Putin’s capture?

    Today we’re going to look at the three most-likely scenarios. The first two are awful, and the third option is the least likely...”- Jay Brock (Future Faith/ Surviving Tomorrow). Click on his blog to read the entire article in context.

In the natural realm, each of the scenarios is and will have enormous consequences. In the spiritual realm, there are many faith leaders who are pressing in to see where this war lines up with Biblical prophecy or not and amidst that ambiguity, how should we as individuals, groups or countries react?


Yet…I hear the Spirit of the Lord whisper to my soul amidst all the potential scenarios to “Be Still”


Maybe the term “being still” seems lazy, or inactive. From a natural point of view, that totally sounds like the case. But from a supernatural vantage point according to the Bible, being still spiritually is one of the most powerful positions we can attain to find peace for our soul. I’m reminded to meditate on the truths found in Psalm 46 (among other passages of scripture), during this challenging time. To read it in context, it is important to note that this Psalm was written around 896 BC in the context of warring nations:

Psalm 46 NIV

“God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

 Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
 He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

We need that safety now and always- our spiritual fortress. God is my refuge and strength. Is He yours?

Prayer Points for Being Still Amidst the Chaos:

  • Let’s pray for ourselves and our loved ones to “fix our eyes” (Hebrews 12;2) on Jesus, the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) as we lament, grieve and wrestle through the issues of suffering in this world.

  • Let’s pray for the citizens of the Ukraine that their souls will be (or continue to be) supernaturally lifted to BE STILL amidst this travesty. May they find the courage, strength and peace in their hearts as they are fleeing or staying to defend their nation. May their weary souls find comfort in the One who can bring lasting peace, freedom and justice for all.

  • Let’s pray for those who are assisting in the war efforts with peacemaking, opening up one’s homes and countries to refugees, to send aid, food, supplies that they too can BE STILL in the wake of this insanity as they serve the oppressed, the wounded and hurting. They truly are the hands and feet of Jesus to those in dire need in this war (and others around the world).

  • Let’s pray for those in Russia that they too can BE STILL as they await true freedom and justice to prevail. If not in this lifetime, to find or to keep the faith that ultimately in the end, where all injustices of this world will be made right, wars will cease as evil as we know it (or are duped by it) will be annihilated.

  • Let’s pray for all the people of the world to seek and find the Lord’s peace during this time as we watch from afar- for deception to be exposed, for wisdom and discernment to arise in God’s people and for the world to know the difference between the world’s offering of peace and what Jesus means in John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give peace to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”

“Being still” is a call for find God amidst the chaos of this world

Feel free to share with me any resources, links, organization or leaders you appreciate listening to in order to stay informed from a broad based perspective. As we learn, we don't need to feel numb or helpless, as WE CAN ALL DO SOMETHING- be it prayer, giving, serving, or bearing the burdens of others who need help with the heaviness of their soul. As we do, remember to practice soul care for you too friend: "Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" Proverbs 4:23

i.e. Be Still

OK- whew. I feel better when I process my emotions through writing and sharing truths into cyberspace. Now I’m going to go hug my Ukrainian Polish husband Tim and go about my day as you too got to keep on keeping on. If you are still feeling a bit overwhelmed by the chaos or fears of this escalating war, check out the advice from one of my previous Seminary Professors who shared the following on his facebook a few days after the war broke out:

“When it comes to international conflict such as is taking place right now between Ukraine and Russia, it can be extremely difficult for those of us far removed to figure out what we should think and do as Christians here in the West. Might I suggest some basic things to consider? 🤔

1. Set limits on media consumption. It can be easy to end up spending hours on end trying to watch and read everything on social media, on news networks, newspapers, etc. By all means, seek to be informed, but also be aware how media consumption can cause tunnel vision where it ends up distracting us from carrying on in our daily lives. This isn't healthy. We all have responsibilities to attend to, people in our lives to care for, jobs and studies, and attention to personal physical, mental, and spiritual health.✅

2. While we are talking about media, try to diversify where you are getting your information rather than relying only on one source. This includes looking at international sources such as the BBC, Deustche Welle, or Aljazeera along with our usual Canadian sources. I also suggest watching for updates from the World Evangelical Alliance (worldea.org) and the European Evangelical Alliance (europeanea.org). ✅

3. Remember that as the people of God, the Church, we have brothers and sisters in Christ on both sides of this conflict, and almost certainly on both sides serving in the military. We ought to lament that this will likely end up with deaths and injury to many. But keeping this in mind is crucial because thinking theologically about this conflict requires us to remember that the Church is at the centre of God's purposes for the world and its future. ✅

4. It can sound trite because it is so easy to say, but we must PRAY. Here the apostolic wisdom of 1 Tim 2:1-5 is so important to heed: "1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." ✅

What do we pray for? a) That peace will prevail. God is a God of peace and war is never a good thing; b) For the authorities on every side, both those involved in the conflict and for those around the world seeking to respond; c) That the people of Ukraine AND Russia might be free to live peaceful lives, and that the Churches there will continue to pursue godliness and holiness. d) That the Church in other countries around the world will not allow this also to become a divisive issue amongst themselves. Our primary loyalty is to our unity in Christ, not to our geographic or ethnic backgrounds. Paul is clear: These kinds of prayers are GOOD and PLEASE God our Saviour who STILL wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.✅

5. Might I suggest that related to praying that perhaps you set a daily reminder on your Smart phone to pray for the situation. It is easy to call for prayer and say we need to do it, but then we REALLY need to pray. I'm reminded here of Daniel when he learned about Darius' troubling decree: "Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before." (Dan 6:10). Intentionality in prayer is key, even if it is for a few minutes every day.✅

6. Be prepared to give or serve in the future. It is early but there is already talk of emerging humanitarian and refugee needs. You might want to raise this with your church leaders about ways you could be involved in contributing to reputable agencies who will be on the forefront of serving in this way. We should never forget Peter's imperative (amongst others) in 1 Peter 2:17: "love the family of believers."✅

7. If possible, take time to listen to and pray with/for Ukrainian and Russian Christians here in Canada from both Ukraine and Russia and hear their perspectives. They may have themselves come from the region or have family living there. It is always good to hear from those who know the situations a bit more first-hand. ✅

8. Above all, do not fall into despair. Remember that God our Father is Creator and King over all the nations. When the nations conspire, the king in heaven laughs (Psa 2:4). It is He in whom we take refuge (Psa 2:12) and to whom we commend his saints in the midst of crisis.”✅

Dr. David Guretzki is EFC’s Executive Vice-President and Resident Theologian. (He also taught one of my favourite seminary courses while at Briercrest “Life in the Mess: Theology of Forgiveness and Reconciliation”. Once for credit back when he was the dean of theology there and then took it a second time as an audit course online in June 2021 fyi as a respected adjunct faculty member). (*Here is a link to EFC’s blog featuring various organizations that are assisting those affected by the Ukraine War: Click here )