Handling Confusion

A feeling that Satan delights to arouse in a heart unprotected by a spiritual breastplate is the feeling of confusion. None of us likes confusion, because it erodes our sense of competence. Satan, knowing this, steps in whenever he can to take full advantage of it.

Deep in the center of our being is a compulsive demand to be in control. And to satisfy that demand, we have to live in a predictable, understandable world. Confusion presents a serious challenge to our desire for control and is the enemy of those who demand to have clear answers for everything.

Whenever Satan sees that we are not wearing our spiritual breastplate, he comes to us and says something like this: “Look at the great problems that are all around you—earthquakes, famines, violence, cruelty to children. How can you believe in a God of love when these things are going on in the world?” Sometimes he presses home these arguments with such power that you have no clear answers.

There is only one clear answer against such assaults; it is to put on the “breastplate of righteousness.” You cannot understand particular happenings; you cannot give any explanation. But you do know that the God who clothed you with His righteousness and saved you from a lost eternity must have your highest interests and those of His universe at heart. When you hold on to that, your heart is protected from despair, even if your mind struggles to comprehend what is happening. You can live in peace even though you do not know all the answers.

Further Study

2Tim 1:1-7; 1Co 14:33; Isa 26:3; Rm 8:39

Where does our peace stem from?

Where does confusion come from?