The word CONFUSION means lack of understanding; or uncertainty. It is a situation of panic; a breakdown of order; a disorderly jumble. Confusion is also the state of being bewildered or unclear in one's mind about something, or the mistaking of one person or thing for another. Confuse in Middle English had the sense of 'routing, or bringing to ruin.' The Latin confundere means to 'mingle together' or confound. Synonyms are perplexed, mystified, delirium, stupefied, puzzled, or discombobulated,
These are confusing times. Just a brief look at the news reels can easily disturb us. This is added to what's going on with us personally. Confusion as a medical pathology is described by the ICD, an international disease classification body, as the loss of orientation, or the ability to place oneself correctly in the world by time, location and personal identity. Traumatic personal, workplace, and world events leave us unable to find our equilibrium and sense of self Who are you when your world is topsy-turvy?
Where does all this confusion come from? The Apostle James gives us the answer, "13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
James reveals that jealousy and selfishness foster an atmosphere that brings about confusion. Is that the climate in your family, church...or even your heart. He goes on, 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." (James 3:13-18) Warren Buffet once said. "It is not greed that drives the world, but envy."
Even the best of us been confused in hard times. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth about his confusion in his time of trial and duress. He said, "8We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 11Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you." (2 Cor. 4:8-12)
It's hard to imagine that anything good can come out of our confusion. But isn't that when we stop, look, listen, brainstorm, and learn? Isn't that when we bow our knees to pray to the LORD for answers? Isn't that when we choose to humble ourselves and collaborate with the most unlikely people? And isn't that when God opens up the most ingenious ideas, dispenses the most abundant grace, and guides us out of incertitude into solutions? I pray that good comes out of your confusion! | 
No comments:
Post a Comment