The kitchen is a mess.
The washer is beeping at me.
My Mom calls.
I have a writing deadline due tomorrow.
My husband needs to work late.
My latest art piece needs to be put online to be sold.
The thoughts in my head are overwhelming.
Homeschool is awaiting me as my daughter asks me ten questions at the same time.
My stomach is growling because I desperately need to go to the grocery store.
I haven’t showered because I have other priorities at the moment.
So many things have been pressed on me lately. All of them trying to gain my attention at once. My mind wants a break, and my heart is crying out to be refreshed. It wasn’t just my tasks but my heart that felt chaotic. I couldn’t see where I was going because the swirling of life and thoughts were all launched at me at the same time. I felt desperate to get away from the chaos surrounding me.
I had a choice to make—keep going as is and be miserable or pause and reach out to my support. It has been hard for me to trust and reach out for support in the past, but the past is gone. I am not a burden to “my people” or my God. I can ask for help. That lie is gone.
As I poured out my heart to my friend, LaShona, the weight I was carrying started to lift. The words of wisdom that came from her mouth that day were the answer to my prayer that morning to be refreshed.
“I just feel like this is a time for you to settle into and grow. A time where your work may look like a hodgepodge of nothing, but perhaps it’s an unveiling of a masterpiece. You are in the thick of it! A whirlwind of creativity mixed with life. So I say let time not be the villain. Let patience be pruned.”—LaShona Lay
Padre Pio says, “I’m oppressed by the uncertainty of my future, but I cherish the lively hope of seeing my dreams fulfilled because the Lord cannot place thoughts and desires in a person’s soul if He doesn’t joyfully intend to fulfill them. To gratify these longings, which He has caused.”
That’s good stuff!
Can you relate to seasons like the above? “A WHIRLWIND of creativity mixed with life.” She’s right—life really is a swirling mix that sometimes seems to be going nowhere, but perhaps, it is creating a masterpiece.
We get tempted to shut down in chaos and stop moving forward because we are overwhelmed, anxious, and tired. It’s difficult sometimes to know when to switch the hats of home and ministry or any other line of work at that. Though I try my best by surrendering my time to God each hour, it still can get overwhelming what to do next in order to stay steadily moving forward.
My time with Jesus lately has shown me that His presence is what carries us through those chaotic seasons. Sitting with Jesus in the middle of my chaos calms my weary soul. It’s as if the world stops for a moment, and it’s just me and Jesus. There are no to-dos at that moment. The wind and waves calm, and His peace washes over me.
It can seem as if we are stuck in the wind and waves some days, but if we remain steady in Jesus before we know it the current has delivered us to our destination.
Our temptation when life gets crazy can be to shut down and escape or struggle to find a way out. I challenge you, instead, to sit with Jesus. Settle in the chaos. Let His presence wash over you—bringing you incredible peace.
Let LaShona’s encouraging words speak to you, “It’s a time to settle into and grow.”
The chaos isn’t always meant to be tamed. Sure, we should plan and organize our life in alignment with God’s will to avoid unnecessary troubles, but if the chaos remains know that it is good.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” –James 1:2-4 ESV
The chaotic teaches us how to remain steady in Jesus, though life swirling around us is not. God doesn’t always remove us from the chaos or troubles, but He does promise us peace and direction in it. He is always WITH us and guiding us through our days. Spending time with Him continuously and trusting His plan, even when it feels like you are stuck, will keep you moving in the right direction.
In those seasons, where everything seems to be coming at you all at once, we have the joy and responsibility to choose. We get to choose how we spend our time and how we react when things aren’t going the way we had hoped. We get to choose if we will keep moving forward in faith toward the goal or to sit still and get stuck in the chaos.
You can still be fruitful in chaos if you settle in on Jesus. I would even say it is the very thing that trains us to bear much fruit.
So in the chaos of today choose to trust Jesus. Choose to trust that you won’t miss out on all He has for you because you are in the thick of it. Right here and right now, whether there is chaos or calm, choose to stand firm in faith and peace. Raging winds and waves can’t knock you off course because Jesus’s hand is on you directing your steps as you go. He uses it all—the good, bad, and chaotic for His glory.
If life looks a little chaotic right now, I want you to look around and know it is good. We are not overcome by stress, fear, or disorder, but He is WITH us…right in the middle of it. Have peace today knowing that the chaos has not overcome you. Stand with Jesus in the middle of it. Breathe. Smile. He has you! Settle your mind on Jesus.
Prayer:
“My spirit is weak within me; my heart is overcome with dismay. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all you have done; I reflect on the work of your hands. I spread out my hands to you; I am like a parched land before you. Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Don’t hide your face from me, or I will be like those going down to the Pit. Let me experience your faithful love in the morning for I trust in you. Reveal to me the way I should go because I appeal to you. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I come to you for protection. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground.” –Psalm 143:4-10 CSB In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen!