What To Do In the Middle of Chaos

Colossians has been a life-line for me in the past week as it brought me face to face with Jesus, the One and Only, the First and the Head!  He has been meeting me, as I know He has been meeting you.  He is truly enough in every circumstance we may find ourselves. As we review Colossians today, here are a few things to do when you’re in the middle of chaos:

Have faith in Him- As I read in the Amplified version, I found this beautiful definition of faith: the leaning of your entire human personality on Him in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness (Colossians 1:4 Amplified).  When you don’t know what to do or how you’re going to make it through just lean everything you are on Him!

Give thanks- No matter how bad your circumstance may be, there are always reasons to give thanks.  Paul rejoiced in his suffering for the gospel.  He challenged us to give thanks in everything we do.  We can always give thanks because He has made us heirs with Christ, and has rescued us from the dominion of darkness (Colossians 1:12-13)!  Giving thanks is a practical way to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2 NKJV).

Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly- as busy as these days have been for me, I am so grateful for this Soaking in the Son challenge.  It has placed me right where I need to be- in the Word!  As we seek Him in His Word, He can shift our perspective and give us a truth lens with which to view the chaos!  I love how it sounds in the Amplified version: Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness (Colossians 3:16 Amplified).

Continue earnestly in prayer… meanwhile praying also for us- Not only should we ask for God’s help in our own chaos, but one of the most helpful ways to survive the chaos is to look outside of yourself and pray for others!  Allow me to pray for you the beautiful prayer of Colossians: I ask, Father, that each reader would be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and understanding; that she may walk worthy of You, fully pleasing You, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in her knowledge of You; strengthened with all might, according to Your glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; and may she give thanks to You always (Colossians 1:9-12 NKJV). Thank you for rescuing us, for loving us, and for holding all things together (Colossians 1:17 NIV).  In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen
 
Extra Challenge-  As you devote yourselves to prayer,  please pray for us, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ… Pray that we may proclaim it clearly; that we may be wise in our interactions with others; making the most of every opportunity (Colossians 4: 2-6 paraphrased).  As you are led, please pray also for our extended family as they experience the paradox of transition: joy in their service to Jesus and grief in the long separation.