“When my world is shaking, heaven stands. When my heart is breaking.
I never leave your hands.” ~ JJ Heller

Chaos. It can come on strong and can even take us under if we let it.

The truth is that the very definition of chaos- utter confusion and disorder, is the exact opposite of who Our Lord is. 1 Corinthians 14:33 states:

“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

Dear Sister, let’s combat this issue together with God’s word. When I feel chaos coming I ask myself these very questions and I challenge you to do the same.

1. Is What I’m Worried About Rational?

“But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.”
~2 Timothy 2:23

I don’t know about you, but there have been many times when I’ve become consumed with “what- if thinking”. My mind can brilliantly take me to imaginary places where I don’t belong, places God warns me about in His Word. Borrowed troubles that I just don’t have the mental capacity to adopt, mainly because they just weren’t meant for me. Have you done this too? If so, ask yourself if it is a reasonable concern. Is there evidence that I need to take this on in my life? Am I speculating or am I facing the facts? Cut out anything that does not need to be there.

2. What Can I Take Off My Plate?

“If the Lord does not build a house, then those who build it work in vain.”
~Psalm 127

The epidemic of “yes” when we should have said “let me pray about it” or perhaps even a straight out “no, thank you” is running rampant. Often times what we need to take off our plates is something we should have never scooped up and dished on to begin with. It’s ok to say no. It’s also ok to be honest and let others know that you took on too much and need to step back.

Life will still go on if you aren’t able to be a room mom, or make homemade meals every night or if you need to live out of your laundry baskets until your children are 18.

Keep in mind that the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). Anything that threatens your fruit, isn’t fruit! If adding one more thing to your list causes you to loose it- it’s a weed in disguise. 

3. Where Do My Boundaries Need Established?

“In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.” Mark 1:35-38

It’s a beautiful and encouraging thought to know that even Jesus had to set boundaries in order to do what he was set out to do. So often I am reminded that I need to “bring it on in”. My boundaries can seemingly extend from the Mid-West to the Middle East. It just isn’t what God wants here. I am not made to be a very wide and walked on doormat, I am made to be a vessel.

This is something that many in ministry struggle with, and is often times the culprit for “burn out.” If I am thinking rationally, I know that that if my boundaries aren’t clear in my own mind, they aren’t going to be clear in anyone else’s.

When my boundaries are wide, I make myself an open target for chaos.

Again, bring it in, Sister. Draw a line in the sand and stick to it, by doing this it will do you and everyone around you a favor. In turn, “Burn out” does nothing for anyone.

Dear friends, I hope and pray that by asking yourselves these questions you can be released from some of the bondage of chaos and go on living a life of freedom. Remember, if you are living in chaos -it is not God’s will. We live in a fallen world, but take heart that wherever you are, no matter what you’re going through, our Savior is the Prince of Peace and He is always with you.

But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”
~Matthew 14:30-32