In the biblical context, "turmoils" refer to periods of great disturbance, confusion, or disorder, often involving conflict, suffering, or upheaval. The Bible addresses various forms of turmoil, both external and internal, and provides guidance on how believers are to respond to such challenges.

Old Testament Instances

The Old Testament is replete with examples of turmoil, often as a result of disobedience to God or as a test of faith. The Israelites frequently experienced turmoil due to their rebellion against God. In the Book of Judges, Israel's cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance illustrates the turmoil that results from turning away from God. Judges 2:14 states, "So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He handed them over to plunderers who raided them; He sold them to their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand against their enemies."

The Babylonian Exile is another significant period of turmoil for the Israelites. The destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent captivity in Babylon were seen as divine judgment for the nation's persistent idolatry and injustice. Lamentations 1:3 captures the distress of this period: "Judah has gone into exile under affliction and harsh slavery; she dwells among the nations but finds no rest. All her pursuers have overtaken her in the midst of her distress."

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ addresses the inevitability of turmoil in the lives of His followers. He warns His disciples of the trials they will face for His name's sake, yet He offers peace and assurance. In John 16:33 , Jesus says, "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world."

The early church also faced significant turmoil, including persecution and internal disputes. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often encourages believers to remain steadfast in the face of adversity. In Romans 5:3-4 , Paul writes, "Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

Spiritual and Personal Turmoil

Beyond external conflicts, the Bible also addresses internal turmoil, such as spiritual struggles and personal crises. The Psalms frequently express the inner turmoil of the psalmists, who cry out to God in times of distress. Psalm 42:11 reflects this sentiment: "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God."

The Apostle Paul speaks of the internal conflict between the flesh and the spirit in Romans 7:21-23 : "So this is the principle I have discovered: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law. But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me."

Divine Purpose and Response

The Bible teaches that God can use turmoil for His divine purposes, refining and strengthening the faith of His people. James 1:2-4 encourages believers to view trials as opportunities for growth: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Believers are called to respond to turmoil with faith, prayer, and reliance on God's promises. Philippians 4:6-7 advises, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

In summary, while turmoil is an inevitable part of the human experience, the Bible provides a framework for understanding and navigating these challenges through faith, perseverance, and trust in God's sovereign plan.

And Many of us Friends Conferring About, and Detesting the ...
... Book VI Chapter XIV And many of us friends conferring about, and detesting
the turbulent turmoils of human life? And many of us ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xiv and many of.htm

Matt. xxiv. 1, 2
... told of vengeance falling on others when hearing of that which was to be brought
upon Jerusalem and as though they were to be out of the turmoils, and were ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxv matt xxiv 1.htm

The Sluggard's Farm
... soul's health. Trials and troubles, worries and turmoils, little frets and
little disappointments, may all help you if you will. Like ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the sluggards farm.htm

War! War! War!
... As God has cut us off from Europe by a boisterous sea, so let us be kept apart from
all the broils and turmoils into which tyrants and their slaves may fall. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/war war war.htm

Philip and the Emperor
... Like Philip, he had acquired an incurable disgust for Constantinople, with its turmoils,
its luxury, its unreal Christianity, its cruel, persecuting, and ...
/.../chapter lxi philip and the.htm

Matt. xiv. 23, 24
... place may confer. For the wilderness is the mother of quiet; it is a calm
and a harbor, delivering us from all turmoils. He Himself ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily l matt xiv 23.htm

Ep. Xl. To the Great Basil.
... and held back. Now, if you think as I do, come to this determination, to
avoid these public turmoils and evil suspicions. I shall ...
/.../cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep xl to the great.htm

Martyrdom of the Holy Confessors Shamuna, Guria, and Habib, from ...
... men would not by any means spend their lives in the city, but removing to a distance
from it, as those who wished to be remote from its turmoils, they made it ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents martyrdom of 2.htm

A Letter of Mara, Son of Serapion.
... [3469] For, as for those persons who are called to the pursuit of learning, they
are seeking to extricate themselves from the turmoils of time; and those who ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents a letter.htm

Socrates' Ecclesiastical History.
... because, as he alleges, peace and prosperity seemed to be assured to the church,
and history is made not in time of peace, but in the turmoils and disturbances ...
/.../iii socrates ecclesiastical history.htm

Turmoils (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Turmoils (1 Occurrence). Luke 21:9 But when you
hear of wars and turmoils, be not afraid; for these things ...
/t/turmoils.htm - 6k

Turmoil (15 Occurrences)

/t/turmoil.htm - 10k

Afraid (361 Occurrences)
... (WEY NIV). Luke 21:9 But when you hear of wars and turmoils, be not afraid; for
these things must happen first, but the end does not come immediately." (WEY). ...
/a/afraid.htm - 35k

Hezekiah (124 Occurrences)
... That this incurring of a hazardous war, however, with its turmoils and treacheries,
and the presence of uncouth Arab mercenaries, was little to the king's ...
/h/hezekiah.htm - 72k

Turn (963 Occurrences)

/t/turn.htm - 41k

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