Chaos pops up in our lives when we least expect it. A major accident occurs and your life is totally disrupted to help your loved one get well. Or you suddenly find yourself laid off from work and don’t know which way to turn. In my case, someone in my extended family needed to get out of a difficult living arrangement. She had one day to pack up and empty a three-bedroom house!
My first instinct, unfortunately, was anxiety. What to do to help? How can we do this? When can we do this? Who can help? the questions stated racing through my head.
Then God gently reminded me He is able. He sees the whole situation. He has my family members covered. I do have a supportive role to play. However, worrying was not one of those roles.
As I prayed over the next few days, I realized God had several steps that I could do to fight the chaos.
Focus on Him
My eyes were to be on Him, His strength, His power and His direction, not on the drama and emotion swirling around me. In Psalm 102:27, I was reminded:
But you are always the same; you will live forever. The children of your people will live in security. Their children’s children will thrive in your presence.”
The words of being always the same were so encouraging as well as the security and thriving of my children and children’s children. I could move forward in confidence that He knew the path were were to take and He had everything covered.
Ask for Help
In order to accomplish this task of packing and emptying the house in one day, we needed to ask for help. My daughter asked her friends, I asked church friends and our family members pitched in the day of the move. On the actual day of the move, we had ten people at the house, packing boxes and moving furniture.
Get Prayer Coverage
In addition to my own prayers, I asked other people to be praying for the day of the move. I was still feeling edgy the day before the move. However, the morning of the move, I felt peaceful, confident and strengthened- lifted by the prayers of friends and the love of God. It was like “Let’s go get this done.” with His hand and direction..
Attack the Issue
By noon, we had all gathered at the house. In three and a half hours, we packed boxes and loaded the moving van. By 4:30 pm we had transported the furniture to storage, unloaded it and were sitting down to a picnic supper together. It was a feat that only God and His helpers could accomplish!
I realized that day, in the midst of chaos, the importance of my focus on Him, asking for help, valuing of community, praying and being lifted up by others, and moving forward with His help. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for all the people and pieces that had fallen together.
My prayer for you is that when you find yourself in chaos, that you will take time to focus on Him and see what help He longs to bring to your chaos. I would love to be part of those who are lifting you up in prayer as you wade through the waters of chaos. It is a relief to get to the other side of one chaotic event, knowing He’ll be there for the next one! Let me know how I can be praying for you and/or accompanying you on your journey – nancy@nancyboothcoaching.com
Nancy, thank you for sharing your heart. I know so well what you are talking about. Many blessings to you.
I love this Nancy because it is so real world. I have a friend who has been feeling a swirl of chaos in her life for a couple of weeks now. I, too, have found myself in this place. Anytime we are getting close to the progress/goal God has us lined up with the world around us goes crazy!