Isaiah 40:31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
We were watching TV last night, and on a short video that we watched, it featured an ice skater in training. She was using a contraption to help tighten her spins and improve her control.
Next, a Navy SEAL came to try it out. The instructor instructed him on how to start, and as he began spinning, she said the most interesting thing... She said, "I want you to conquer chaos." She wanted him to learn how to control his urges to stop and keep moving forward through the chaos he was experiencing.
That phrase intrigued me: "conquer the chaos."
Life can feel chaotic, and we can either sit in it and let it consume us, or we can acknowledge it, recognize it, and then conquer it, being able to move forward no matter what.
Mark 4:39 says, "When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the waves, 'Silence! Be still!' Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was great calm."
Jesus captured and conquered the chaos and was able to stop it. He is the calm we can seek in any storm we face.
I can recall a few very distinct times in life when the chaos was almost too much. The first time, it took me a while to truly turn to God and ask Him for help in capturing the chaos and understanding what was going on, so I could move forward with His assistance. The second time, I went to Him right away, knowing that the only way through was with Him.
If you think about a hurricane, you know there is the eye of the storm, the calm in the middle of it all. When the storms in life rage around us, we do not have to face them alone because God is with us. He is the calm in the storm that can help us hold on to hope.
Isaiah 43:1a-2 says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 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 41:10 says, "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."
Life can be chaotic from time to time. We all walk through different seasons in life, and sometimes multiple seasons at the same time. Remember, God is with you. When you feel like you can’t take any more, turn to God. He will renew your strength and help you capture and conquer the chaos.