My immediate reaction was to resist the change. I did everything I could, mentally, to try to get out of it. But, eventually, I realized that this…is where God wants me to be…in the middle of the chaos…in the middle of this uncomfortable space. It feels unsteady. It feels like I’m being tossed by the wind and waves…and all I want is to feel safe and secure. This feeling reminds me of a story found in the gospels.
One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!” (Luke 8:22-25 NLT)
As I read this very real story, I find myself in the place of the disciples. Unsafe…wondering where Jesus is. But, for a few moments I want to take the focus off of them and off of me, and I want us to focus on our Savior…
What was Jesus doing during the storm? What was He doing while the disciples were panicked and afraid?
Jesus was resting. He was perfectly fine because He understood who was really in control.
When we understand that God is in control, we can rest in the middle of the chaos.
And this is where I am right now…resting in the storm. I am understanding that while my life is chaos…it is a controlled chaos. This season was appointed to me by God for a divine purpose, and although I don’t understand every aspect of that purpose right now, I have decided that I will trust in Him.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:1-4 ESV)
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. (Isaiah 43:2 NLT)
The Lord has led me to this place, and because He led me here, I am confident that when I am through this, I will be further along in the purpose that He has for me.
This chaos is for my good.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28 NLT)
I have found this scripture to be true in the past, and I believe that it is true for me and you today…
Are you in an unsteady place in life? Do you feel that your life is utter chaos?
If so, I have a message for you…
God is in control…
He is in control of your situation…every aspect of it. He controls what comes and what goes. It may feel like you are in the fire, but He will not let you burn. It may feel like you are wading through the rivers of difficulty…but you will not drown. This is His promise to you.
When we understand that God is in control we can settle into the chaos.
Jesus is our example…
He was not panicking in the boat…He was not trying to figure a way out of the situation…
Jesus was settled.
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. (Psalms 4:8 NLT)
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27 NLT)
Jesus wants us to experience the same peace that he had in the middle of the storm, and He wants us to know that it is available to us right now...
So how do we take advantage of it?
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)
As the disciples experienced the storm, they panicked…they feared for their lives. But, they did exactly what they were supposed to do…they called on Jesus.
The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. (Luke 8:24 NLT)
As they called on the Savior…they received peace immediately! And I want us to understand that this can also be true in our lives.
Jesus calms the storm in our minds.
While we may not be experiencing a physical storm, and while our circumstances may not change immediately, we can experience immediate peace.
We can have the same peace that Jesus had on that boat. We can rest in the middle of the chaos. We can be settled, because we know that God is in control.
God uses controlled chaos to reveal himself to us.
The truth of this statement is seen all throughout the bible.
Just think about the time that God saved Issac from being sacrificed. Think about the time that God saved the Israelites at the Red Sea. And finally, think about the time that He saved Daniel in the lion’s den. Each of these situations revealed the power of God.
God wants to reveal himself to you in this season of your life.
Although my life is turned upside down, I will not pretend to know what you are going through. I don’t know your circumstances. I don’t know how you feel at this moment. Maybe this chaos seems like it’s too much to bear…like it’s so out of control…
But…I want to encourage you today…
You may feel out of control…but He is not.
Your heavenly Father is sovereign over all. He is not standing by while you are suffering through what seems like a mess. No…He is carefully controlling this chaos. He is ensuring that this fire does not burn you. He is making sure that it only purifies you…and when you are through this, you will be in awe as the disciples were.
…The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!” (Luke 8:25 NLT)
This difficult season will reveal who your Father is in your life…and that is what you need to walk in the purpose that He has for you. Remember…your Father is for you. Regardless of the storm. Regardless of how chaotic your life seems. He is in control, and He will ensure that this season moves you closer to the promise that He has for you.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me that I am not alone in this season of my life. It may feel like everything around me is a mess. It may feel like this storm will harm me. But you, Father, are right by my side. You are ensuring that I am safe and sound. You are protecting me and providing for me. So God, I will trust in you. I will trust your plan. I will trust your process. And I will call on you in times of anxiety and fear, because I know that you will give me peace in the middle of this storm. I believe that you are for me, and I believe that you are ensuring that this season works in my favor. I love you, Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Comments