Confidence in the midst of chaos

Have you ever found yourself smack dab in the middle of a chaotic situation?  it may be a family situation, something at school or on the job, a situation with your finances, or a challenge in an important relationship. Despite the source of the chaos we can all find ourselves in a space where we feel helpless like things are out of control. 

At times like these it is easy to do one of two things.  First, to feel the need to take control and fix everything that is going wrong and to magically stop the madness before you.  The other extreme is to fold, hide, and throw your hands up and allow the situation to totally distract, devastate or destroy you.  

Unfortunately, both those solutions are a set up to insanity.  First off, when it comes to the challenges we face daily, rarely do we have control over them.  Even the brightest and most brilliant among us find ourselves lacking the patience, wisdom and strength to handle every situation that is thrown our way. 

While you might find yourself successfully handling a situation or two, there comes a time or a situation that is far to heavy a load to bear.  When we place ourselves in a position to be the fixer, and we can't fix it, it creates unwarranted stress, anxiety, depression and more.  It wrecks relationships and can leave a trail of regret and relational carnage along the path.

On the other hand when we fold to the chaotic situations we face, and avoid them or flat out deny them all together, that doesn't work either.  In fact, that can make it even worst and cause us torment, snatching our joy, peace and hope.
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What I have learned personally and professionally is there will be some things that are too heavy a load for us to bear alone. There are situations that our experience, education or expertise are unable to undo.  There are things our friends or finance simply can't fix. But I have great news for you, while we are unable to fix all the things we face in life, there is one who is able. We have a God who loves us and who is all wise and all knowing when it comes to us and our situations.  While things may bubble over in our lives and become unbearable, our God is never caught off guard.  Even in those times when our actions or reactions have contributed to the chaos.   While He is not a genie in a bottle just waiting to magically fix everything that is wrong in our lives, He is able to grant us an extra measure of peace and guide us through the process.  Sometimes that guidance will be clear instructions of things we are to do, and other times it may be instructions to be still and trust Him.  Regardless, when we take our eyes off our situation and place them on God, we can't go wrong.  

I'm not telling you something I heard, I am telling you something I know from experience.  As one who experiences chaos quite frequently it is assuring to know that my God is one I can always count on no matter what.  If you haven't invited Him into your situation, I encourage you to do so.  He is more than able.