CHAOS
…by Shane Hale
When chaos reigns in your life it can become hard to find God. It is almost like chaos runs God off, quenches His spirit in your life. Perhaps it does, in a way.
Life has taught me that God often retreats from my day, from my life, when chaos reigns for very long.
There have been numerous times in my work day where I have retreated from my office to a quiet spot in the conference room…. away from the chaos, to collect my thoughts, ask God for some help.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.¹
He shows up in short order, and peace follows, which revives me, steadies me, to go back and deal with the chaos.
What parent of small kids hasn’t ever gone in the bathroom and locked the door, just to get away for a moment? We laugh about that today, but it’s another great example of momentary retreat from chaos.
Chaos is part of life. It happens. It’s going to happen at various places and at various times. But don’t live in it, or get comfortable with it, and by all means don’t invite it in, because chaos is the enemy’s tool.
God’s peace will guard your hearts and minds.²
Once you know what peace feels like, then chaos becomes less tolerable. Once you know real peace, God’s peace, then it becomes even less tolerable.
Be on guard for chaos creeping in around you, and within you. Chaos, like weeds, just tends to happen, but peace, like a nice thick green lawn of grass, has to be cultivated, and then tended.
Slay the chaos, and protect the peace.
Get In The Boat. Do Your Part.
From Nose to Toes!
Shane/#16
Shane Hale is a redeemed & re-purposed professional baseball player and former corporate sales executive. Shane, his wife Michelle, and their three sons live in Mobile, Alabama, USA, where he works as a Realtor. While seeking God’s plan for his life in the summer of 2014, God told Shane to start writing. Today he shares his faith to encourage and inspire others to seek His plan for their lives as well. Check out his blog at www.the1sixproject.com.
Footnotes: (1) Read John 14:27. (2) Read Philippians 4:7.
Pictures: Banner Photo: Man in the Mist, credit unknown. 1st Photo: From Addressing Chaos by Chris Chase (1-30-2017), BraidMission.org. 2nd Photo: From a video created by A Miracle Unfolding – Gardner Quadruplets, Facebook/gardnerquads. 3rd Photo: Created by heartlight.org.