How to Trust God in a Chaotic WorldSýnishorn

If we are paying attention, we will see a lot of “off” around us. I bet you have noticed things that appeared unjust. Cracks in the façade that show injustice is real. People hurt. Bullies winning. The right action is left undone or the wrong action brings harm. When we pay attention, we have to acknowledge this world is gut-wrenchingly broken.

Many of us will read a description of mistreatment and nod along from experience, memories bringing a fire to our chest. Others hear words about injustice, and it all feels distant. The deep desire to downplay evil stirs, perhaps even subconsciously.

Reading Habakkuk beckons us to acknowledge a foundational principle God reveals through Old Testament prophets—you have to see the evil. We must look around at what is happening in the world and see it for what it is.

It’s our own selfish actions and apathy toward others. It’s the trauma done to children in some families. It’s the bullies in powerful places. It’s genocidal wars. No matter where you find it—whether it’s external, out there in the world, or internal, wreaking havoc in your own heart—you cannot pretend wickedness doesn’t exist. As Habakkuk helps us see, we can’t carry on like it doesn’t.

If you were hesitant to dig into the book of Habakkuk before, this statement about facing the horror of the world may have added fuel to your exit plan. Don’t give up! While Habakkuk will push us to deal with the chaos around us, he is going to tell us the truth we need to know.

One thing is for sure, God’s spokespeople writing in the Bible will tell it to us straight—we must pay attention.

The Bible paints the prophets as those who jolt us awake and force us to see what is happening and what God says about such things

They are the watchmen signaling with waving arms, often to people wanting to look away. Look up and see the evil done against others, the prophets said. See the impact of your own choices on the vulnerable. See the disobedience of God’s people. God sees the ways we’ve gotten things super wrong, guys, and he’s coming to do something about it. Get ready. We might not be paying attention, but he is.

It would be easy for some of us—and beneficial at times—to look away from the wrong done around us. We much prefer the aesthetics that way. Yet, there are consequences to indifference. We should not be surprised by discipline from the Lord if we choose not to pay attention to the discrepancy between our community’s actions and God’s righteous standard, just as the prophets warned in Israel.