TAKE COURAGE



You personally may not be prone to chaos, but I can assure you that the world is, and many of the people around you are, and sometimes it doesn't take much for pandemonium to take over. So when chaos breaks out how do you keep your head on straight even when nobody else has a clue about what to do?

When things get chaotic remember that chaos will never fix itself. Your problems will seldom go away on their own and they usually can get worse. Also, you can’t count on others to resolve your chaos. There are crisis situations when the advice of majority is the last group you want to listen to. It almost always hinders wise decision-making. There will be times when you will have to stand alone and against the tide of public opinion and choose to do what you know is right rather than what everyone else thinks is right.

The one you can count on to redeem the disorder of your out-of-control situation is God. Acknowledge that he is not the author of your disorder but the one who can bring it under control because he is still in control. His being in control doesn’t mean that you will never encounter chaos of any kind. It does mean that in spite of the disorder all around you, “The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to her you call” (Isaiah 59:1). The key is in the midst of your panic stop and remind yourself who really is in control of the situation. When you do this God will speak to your heart telling you in effect: “You will get through this.”

While you’re getting through this, take care of yourself. Oftentimes in the midst of a crisis it is easy to stop taking care of yourself. If there is chaos going on all around you and you're in a constant state of not-knowing what will happen next, my suggestion to you is: take care of yourself. Eat right, go to sleep at night, and take a walk every day, a couple of times a day. These things will help you maintain your emotional equilibrium.

There's something about a crisis that helps us define what really matters, what we really need. In order to stand strong, there will be times when it is necessary to divest yourself of unnecessary clutter and useless baggage. You may not be able to control the elements of the storm all around you, but you strengthen your position when you lighten your load. Look at your life and ask yourself: What do I really need? What really matters most? What can I do without? Lighten your load and let go of some of the clutter.

God can get you through any chaotic situation but you can be sure that, in order to get through the chaos, you're going to have some skin in the game. You're going to have to do your part. If you want to gain some traction in your chaos refuse to surrender to the chaos. Don’t give up and give in to your storm. And even if you may momentarily be a victim of circumstance, refuse to remain a victim of any kind, for any time. Why? Because you know that God is in control. You know that he will see you through whatever might come your way. “So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.” (Acts 27:25)

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