3 Important Keys to Finding Peace in the Chaos of Life
Don’t throw your oatmeal at your brother. No, you cannot watch TV. Yes, your dad is at work. No, you cannot call him. If you need to go to the potty then just go. If you do that one more time you’re getting a timeout. Yes, I know the baby is crying. Yes, I am going to do something about it. No, you cannot have a cookie this early in the morning. I said no. I have no idea where your dinosaur is. Have you looked in your closet?
Wow. Life is so busy.
As a mother of three young children, the amount of activity flitting around me each morning would get impressive ratings on a reality TV show. Some mornings are better than others but the fact of the matter is that I don’t have a lot of time to sit before the Lord in the morning to pray, to contemplate His plan for my day–it’s just not feasible.
Establishing a firm foundation in Christ can appear very daunting to those of us who spend our days running. Whether it be after our children or to the next meeting, most women spend much of their time chasing something.
The culture today has successfully emphasized the need to stay busy, to never quit running. In fact, many women don’t feel accomplished and successful if their schedules are not packed with activities. The world says the busier you are, the better job you’re doing. However, God says something entirely different:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ~Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
If God wanted us to just keep running, He never would have provided us with a Savior in whom we will find our best and most complete rest. In fact, we are to emulate ourselves after Jesus, and there are many instances in the Bible where He rests.
But is it really that important to slow down?
If our busy and chaotic lives are preventing us from heeding the voice of God and establishing a firm foundation in Him, then yes, slowing down is not only important, it is undeniable.
For my season of life, slowing down is not really an option. Someone has to care for my children and, since my husband works full time, I am the only one who can do it. However, God continues to show me creative ways to refocus my life on Him each day.
It is essential that we examine our priorities and line them up with God’s plan for us. The Bible makes clear what our focus should be: loving Him and loving our neighbors.
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ~ Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV)
However, many of us find it difficult to find time for our own family, let alone a neighbor in need, because we are entangled in the desires of the world. The desire for money, success, material possessions, the perfect body, a social media presence, and the list continues.
God actually outlines a pretty simple life for each one of us:
Love and serve Him, and He will take care of the rest.
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. ~ Matthew 6:25-26 (ESV)
So now that we have established the need to slow down, how do we do it?
3 Important Keys to Finding Peace in the Chaos of Life
Spend time with Him.
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed. ~Mark 1:25 (ESV)
Jesus often modeled the importance of quiet time with God. While he was praying in this desolate place, the disciples found Him and were a bit frazzled. They exclaimed that everyone had been looking for Jesus.
No one was busier than Jesus. He had approximately three years to establish the world’s most life-changing ministry, and yet, He took time alone with God.
I don’t have time. This is the excuse I often use to bypass quiet time with God.
Ironically, I have discovered that when I ignore my radical need to be with Him I become more frazzled and more busy. God will reward those of us who find the time to absorb His Holy Word and pray without interruption.
Fellowship with other Christians.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another… ~Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
I would not stay afloat in the chaos of my life if I did not carve out time each week to spend with other Christian women, both at church and at Bible study.
It is essential that we spend time together. Fellowship gives each of us encouragement and helpful reminders in our faith. If you find yourself neglecting fellowship with other Christians, don’t be afraid to find a church that feeds your soul and preaches God’s truth unapologetically.
Pray anywhere.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, giving thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
Despite the fact that I know the importance of spending time with God, there are some days that it just doesn’t happen.
I have a feeling I am not alone.
This is why it is important for us to remember that God is always available to listen to our prayers. Whether we are in the car, cooking dinner or in a meeting, we can stop to pray.
So often we feel as though our prayers need to be focused and “cleaned up” for the Lord, but all He really desires is for us to reach out to Him, to talk to Him, to maintain constant communication with Him.
If you struggle with prayer, make a goal to pray each day in the bathroom, or on your way to work, or in the shower. Once you accomplish this goal and it becomes a habit, set another goal. Once prayer is a habit, you will find that God’s peace and presence follow you wherever you go.
The beautiful part of the grace of God is that even when we fail to give our day to Him, when we don’t even give Him a thought simply because we are trying to survive, His grace continues to abound. He sees us. He knows us. And His mercies are new every morning.
About the Author
Tara Kranz lives with her husband and three kids in North Dakota. In her past life, she was an English teacher, but now is a full time stay-at-home mom. She is eternally grateful to God for leading her to this satisfying way of life. Tara loves to read and write, and on a rare occasion, she might go for a run. She is obsessed with her family, and most of all, God’s saving grace.