How to find peace in the face of terrible adversity?

What happens to our emotions if we truly believe in God's omnipotent wisdom and goodness during times of brutal persecution?

This question comes to my mind for two reasons. The first is God’s will for our emotions, as revealed in Scripture. The second is what I see in the hearts of God’s people today. Unfortunately, these things don’t always align. One of my goals is to help modern believers experience more of what God desires for our emotions.

Here is an example I researched recently

Updated by terrible persecutions?

In Revelation chapter 6, John saw «the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God.» These are the martyrs for Christ who are in heaven. «And they cried out with a loud voice, saying, »Until when, O Sovereign Lord, holy and righteous, do you not judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’” (Rev. 6:10).

Since these souls are already in heaven, where «the spirits of righteous people made perfect» (Heb. 12:23), we should not be quick to label their cry as sinful. However, God directs their emotions from this sense of urgency to another, deeper experience of the heart.

The martyrs were told to «rest a little longer.» This word brings emotional peace and renewal. (Greek word «"anapauō"»«"anapao"). Its shades can be felt in the following examples:

• «Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest!» (Matthew 11:28).

• «My spirit and yours have been refreshed» (1 Cor.16:18).

• «For you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints» (Phil. 1:7).

• «Refresh my heart in Christ!» (Phil. 1:20).

But here’s what’s emotionally striking. They were told about the terrible persecution on earth. They were told to rest and recover «until their fellow servants and their brothers who were to be killed as they were were also completed.».

This is truly stunning.

The key to their peace

Let's pay attention to four points:

1. They are told to rest and recover.
2. They are told that during their rest on earth, people are killed, including by execution (Rev. 20:4).
3. It is revealed to them that these people who are being killed are their "brothers.".
4. And they are told that the number of these killings is determined by God himself.

Yes, God expects this. He would not tell these perfected saints to rest if He did not think it possible and right.

The key to their ability to rest lies precisely in the sovereign wisdom and goodness of God, which is hidden in the statement in Revelation 6:11 that there is a certain number of martyrs who are yet to die. «Rest a little while longer, until the number of your fellow servants and your brothers who have been killed is completed.».

Deep peace of mind in God's wisdom and goodness

This means that a deep trust in God’s sovereign wisdom and goodness radically changes our emotional reactions to terrible events. We are able, in a supernatural way, to find spiritual rest in God even in the midst of terrible trials.

This state is not indifference. It is not callousness or lack of compassion. It is not the absence of tears. But it is peace. It is sweet rest in Christ.

The soul that has found peace in Christ, I will not leave her, I will not give her to my enemies.

There is a deep emotional «calm»—a profound peace of mind—even when we know about the horrors of adversity and persecution, including those that affect us personally.