How can chaos be described? For me it is a feeling that would look like when you are on a boat, in the middle of the ocean. It is dark and the boat is caught in the middle of a massive storm. The water is churning, and the waves are huge and crashing over the boat. The sea is rough, and you are falling from side to side, things are falling around you, breaking or rolling away, falling off the sides and into the ocean. Like a task that you need to finish but you don’t get to it because it has fallen away in the chaos and is floating to the bottom of a chaotic ocean.
When I experience this type of chaos, my anxiety skyrockets, and at times I feel physical pressure on my chest. I find it hard to breathe. Falling asleep is also a challenge, and not getting enough rest increases my anxiety to the maximum, and makes the chaos more chaotic.
Usually, my first instinct would be to sort this out by myself. Organising the chaos and creating organised chaos as a result, which is worse in the long run. So, how has the situation been for me? Not that well, I make list after list to remember, because chaos ends up affecting my mind, concentration and even my energy. Procrastination becomes the way I handle every task.
Rushing, under pressure and just burning the last bit of grit until there is physically nothing left but exertion and hopelessness. One short word: CHAOS.
So, if chaos is like a storming ocean, how can we describe His peace?
How about a mountain on an island. How many people in movies are relieved when the see the outline of mountains close to land when a boat is sinking, or they have been lost? Let’s call this mountain on the island Zion.
Psalm 132:13 -14 (NIV) says “For the Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling, saying, 14 “This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it.
So, if He is on Zion, where He finds rest, or peace… should this not be our resting place where we fill up with His peace, replacing the chaos in our hearts? How do we reach Zion and His peace. By reading the bible, praying and praise and worship. Spending time in His presence and with Him.
I have never seen a mountain blown away by a storm. So even in the middle of your chaos, you can find peace in Him, to gather strength for whatever is happening in your life.
Like coming up from under the water and taking a breath. A lifesaving breath. He is already waiting for you to call out to Him for help. Why don’t you allow Him to lead you through this chaos? Jesus has calmed many storms when he was on earth, and every time he led his disciples through the storms to safety on the other side. He can calm any chaotic storm in your life. You can read about it in Luke 8: 22-25, Matthew 8:23-27, John 6:16-21 and Mark 4: 35 – 41. Verse 39 in Mark reads “39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”
On Sunday I knew I just had to go to church. It has been a while – life, it seems had obscured the way and I had terrible anxiety. The moment we started to worship the heaviness started to lift from my chest and I could feel His peace just cover me from head to toe. This week’s topic was also revealed to me during Praise and Worship. The storm is chaos, and His peace is the mountain! And then Past André Nel from Kingdom Culture preached about “Ascending the Hill of the Lord”. I love it when Father reveals and confirms His messages. It always makes me smile.
So, when you are in the middle of a chaotic storm and it feels as if you are going to fall overboard and drown, lift your head and find His mountain, Zion. And you can be sure that He will guide you safely through rip currents, monster waves, howling winds, past sharp rocks all the way to safety where you can rest in His peace until you have the strength to go on.
He can even calm the storm, just have faith, hand Him the rudder to your lifeboat, and ask Him to take charge, to help and protect you. You are His child, He has paid a very expensive price for you (because you are worth it). He will never let you drown.
And before you know it, you will see the sun coming through the clouds, and patience, joy, happiness, energy, life and peace will be restored in your heart and life. You will look back and know that the only way you made it through was with Him by your side, and He even carried you in His arms like we carry our children when they are tired.
This does not mean that there will never be another storm, but you will know that He will never leave you alone.
And if you need a reminder look at how amazing our Swartberg Mountains look this week covered in beautiful, pure white snow! Look at them and remember, He is Zion, He is peace, and he loves you the most, no matter what you have done, or not done.
Nobody is perfect, we are all on our lifeboats, somewhere on the ocean. Who is steering your boat?
Listen to the song from Red Rock Worship – Not afraid. Here are some lyrics from the song:
“I have this confidence because
I’ve seen the faithfulness of God
The still inside the storm, the promise of the shore
I trust the power of Your word
Enough to seek Your kingdom first
Beyond the barren place, beyond the ocean waves
When I walk through the waters I won’t be overcome
When I go through the rivers I will not be drowned
My God will make a way so I am not afraid
You keep the promises You make
There isn’t one that is delayed
So I will not lose heart, here I will lift my arms
And start to sing into the night
My praise will call the sun to rise
Declare the battle won, declare that it is done
When I walk through the waters, I won’t be overcome
When I go through the rivers I will not be drowned
My God will make a way so I am not afraid
When I am in the fire I will not feel the flames
I’ll stand before the giant, declaring victory
My God will make a way, so I am not afraid
Before me, behind me, always beside me
No shadow, no valley where you won’t find me
I am not afraid
No, I am not afraid
Before me, behind me, always beside me
No shadow, no valley where you won’t find me
No, I am not afraid
No, I am not afraid.” (By Angelique Erasmus)
Kingdom News: Replace your chaos with His peace
When you are stuck on your lifeboat in a choatic storm, lift your eyes and look for His mountain where you will find His peace. Photo: Generic Image.