What do you do when chaos comes?

These are turbulent times. It seems that just about when we approach some sense of normalcy, another crisis comes. When chaos comes, how do we best handle that?

Even when you’re following Jesus, disorder and confusion can invade your life. When chaos comes to visit, it’s helpful to know how not only to weather those times, but to prevail during them.

When chaos comes, look to the Authority.

Ancient script, as always, is our first stop. Take a look at Romans 12:12:

¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

This one verse just cries out for three points, and they’re all good to help you stand fast when chaos comes.

Paul spells it out: be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. What does that look like?

First of all, this is good sage wisdom for all times. No matter what circumstances you might find yourself in, these are some fine anchors.

It’s when chaos comes, though, that these commands take on real life.

Check it out. You are going to have to surrender to God your need to control things. Control freaks – hang with me, okay?

You can’t always control the circumstances of your life. And you can’t always calm the chaos of the world around you. But you can – always – trust that God is with you. And you can always trust that God loves you.

“Always” is a potent word. It’s one of those definitive, absolute words that leaves no room for doubt. Always means always. That’s good stuff right there.

It’s that always that gives you a reason to embrace hope, to wait for God’s deliverance, and to pray without ceasing.

Don’t forget – there is a coming deliverance. When chaos comes, God is right there, and He’ll get you through it.

What’s so cool is that God invites you to be still and know He’s got you. He knows what causes those sleepless nights. He understands when you so desperately want to turn your brain off and just rest. God will ultimately be exalted even in the middle of the worst of times.

Sometimes just acknowledging the unease and confusion you’re experiencing helps. Funny/not funny, but often the chaos you’re experiencing shows up physically. Know what I mean? Tension in your neck. Constricing headaches. Heart racing.

I don’t have much wisdom along those lines, but just knowing God is near is a big plus. It’s in stillness that you find that peace, and that peace will calm you and ease your tension and pain. It’s a matter of making that quiet time an absolute non-negotiable priority. It’s that safe place where the Holy Spirit can minister.

Part of the equation includes confession of sins. What does that have to do with when chaos comes?

Easy. If you’re unsettled internally because there’s a disconnect between you and God because of sin, it’ll manifest itself physically, emotionally, mentally – basically, in every way you live.

God is, of course, faithful and just. He forgives our sins and cleans us up.

Even when we experience all that disorder and confusion, you never need to fear the loss of God’s love. It’s more constant and steady than the ground you stand on.

Look back at that verse. What word or phrase stands out to you? Which one do you want to cling to?

Let’s make this really personal.

What’s one situation in your life that’s causing turmoil right now? (You may have several to choose from. I get that. Welcome to 2021, which is looking like a sequel to 2020.)

That’s what you want to talk to God about. Like, right now.

It’s hope that will bring you joy. When you have no hope, despair can reign. But when you tie hope to something real – to Christ – that hope will pull you out of despair and into joy.

That specific dark funk you’re facing right now? Allow true hope to pull you out of it.

A second way to manage when chaos comes is to be consistent in prayer. I don’t mean reciting a bunch of words to God, trying to string them together so that He’ll pay attention. I’m talking about a dialogue – you speaking and then waiting and listening for that answer.

Back up a little. Offer up to God one specific, crushing circumstance you’re in right now. Ask Him to give you wisdom in it. He promises wisdom if we’ll just ask for it. (And that’s been a tough one for me to grapple with.)  Tell God that you trust Him to be with you and that He’ll deliver you in His time. 

Chaos can fall like a sudden storm. Think about that. Clouds form. They curdle and mass around you. Then lighting, and thunder, and rain falls in torrents. You can’t even see the horizon. You’re cold and wet and far from home. You can’t see an end or any way out.

Enjoying my metaphor? Ack.

Then the wind picks up. and rain stings your face. You’re soaked. Everything is gray and fearsome and you feel alone. That’s what happens when chaos comes.

But you aren’t alone, are you? Read what Paul said again. God is there. Be patient in affliction.

Here’s a thought. What if the storm isn’t going anywhere? What if it’s here to stay? The water is rising. The roads are washing out. Even when the storm ends, there is going to be a big mess to clean up. Not everyone will survive it. (And if you’re thinking about last week’s ice storm, yep. Me too.)

There may be grief. But still – you ask God to help you wait on Him.

Even if nothing has changed, or even if the situation has grown worse (maybe the rain has changed to hail), know what?

You can’t stop the storm.

But you can pray. God may not stop the storm when you think He should. When you experience those runaway feelings, you can still find a stillness when you sense God’s nearness. You keep on praying.

Sometimes the forces of Darkness, the powers and principalities of this world seem so strong. There is so much I don’t understand, so much I can’t control. When chaos comes, I need to understand that chaos is just one more tool Satan has at his disposal.

And yet, God invites me to trust Him.

Be joyful. Be patient. Be faithful. It works every time. He promised.

Be well.