Transformation Amid a Chaotic World
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2
Recently, I spent a quiet morning at the beach with a friend and her two young children. As the kids played in the sand and splashed in the waves, my friend and I had a rare chance to reconnect. But it was clear from her quiet demeanor that something was weighing heavy on her heart.
As we talked, she opened up—her voice subdued, her eyes filled with unspoken pain. She shared how deeply shaken she was by recent world events. A video she had seen on social media had pierced her to the core, showing a glimpse of evil that she couldn't unsee. Barely above a whisper, she said, “I can’t stop seeing it.” Her tears and trembling voice gripped me. I sat beside her, wordless, aching to offer comfort but unsure how.
She admitted she hadn’t been sleeping. Then came the question that haunted her most: “How can people be okay with the evil in the world today?” In that moment, I had no answer. My heart heavy, my thoughts scattered, I simply looked up to the sky and whispered a quiet plea:
“Where do we place our focus when the world feels like it's spinning out of control?”
“There is so much chaos in the world”’, I hear people say. Truthfully, it does seem that way. Each day we are bombarded with news of the stock market, a recent earthquake, injustice, anger towards people, poverty, sickness, and so on. Do you ever feel like the world is crumbling around us? Are you anxious or uncertain? Are you sleeping well at night?
The way we receive news has evolved from early entertainment footage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to a widespread fixture in movies by the 1930s and 40s before television in the late 1960s. Today we know what is happening half way around the world virtually at the same time it happens. On any given day we receive news that ranges from faraway places like Russia to right around the corner from our house and everything in between. Gone are the days of waiting for the morning news with breaking stories or reading gossip magazines for the latest celebrity dirt. We now have all the information at the touch of an app, specifically from social media. Social media has allowed news and information from across the web to be accessed in real time.
On a positive note, it allows us to connect with loved ones miles away as if they are just down the street. With a light touch of our fingertips, we can search for recipes, get directions for new adventures, and learn how to fix a leaky sink faucet. Education, updates and awareness during emergencies are easily located with a variety of apps. Having instant access to so much information is a gift—but it can also be overwhelming. The constant influx can leave us unsure where to direct our focus, especially in situations like the one my friend experienced.
In Romans 12:2, Paul encouraged the believers in Rome with these words: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”. He was offering guidance and support during difficult times, urging them to remain focused on God rather than be influenced by the chaos around them. That same message remains relevant today. When we allow our minds to be renewed by God's truth, we experience real transformation. This doesn’t mean we won’t feel the pain or sorrow of the world, but it does mean our perspective shifts—we begin to focus on eternal, kingdom-centered things.
I truly believe God never intended for us to carry the full weight of the world on our shoulders. Jesus Himself acknowledged that we would face trouble in this world, but He also assured us that we are not alone—He has overcome the world and carries the burden with us (John 16:33).
Only God has the capacity to fully take in and hold all the suffering, chaos, and noise of this world. It's in His nature—He is omniscient, meaning He knows all things, even before they happen.
Unfortunately the amount of news that bombards us each day will not decrease but by setting sound boundaries with social media to limit access and create healthy patterns, we are able to develop practical ways to protect our minds and hearts. It allows us to stay focused on what Paul describes as the renewal and transformation of our minds (Romans 12:2).
Create a social media/news boundary. Yes, we should be informed about what is going on around us in the world however we simply can’t be aware of everything! Richard Foster offers this advice: "Only consume the amount of news you can pray for". It highlights the importance of intentionality and purpose when engaging with information. Instead of passively consuming news, Foster suggests being selective about what enters the mind and heart. The news consumed should be information that can be brought to God in prayer, seeking wisdom and guidance.
Pray for our country and leaders; those in authority. We may not always agree with our leaders and the decisions they make. However that is not what we as believers are called to do. We are called to pray for them. God will take care of the rest (Romans 13:1 -2 ).
Take a pause. In a recent Sunday sermon, our pastor taught us about the importance of taking a pause for our soul. In Psalm 46 we read the word ‘selah’ used in between verses. This word directs us to take a breath, as pastor shared, “to pause.”
Jesus demonstrated the power of the pause in his daily routine. Yes, even Jesus rested at various times throughout His earthly ministry, with examples in the Bible such as John 4:6, where He sat by Jacob's well, tired from His journey, and Matthew 8:23 - 24, where He slept in a boat during a storm, illustrating that even He in His humanity, needed rest. Jesus also gave His disciples a specific instruction to rest, saying in Mark 6:31 "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest".
When we set aside times to pause and rest, our focus shifts and we honor what is holy and sacred. We can then establish a space for God to speak to us, and demonstrate our faith and trust in Him.
