Crushing ChaosSample

THE REAL PATH TO PEACE

The opening words of the Bible declare: “In the beginningGod created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Genesis 1:1-2).

Scripture’s first words declare that creation was a chaotic, untamed mess. We read in Genesis 1:6-7 that God began to separate, pull apart, gather, and bring structure to that chaos. In other words, God’s solution for the chaos wasn’t to bring peace; it was to establish Order. The beginning of creation reveals a God who knows how to rearrange, organize, unclutter, clean, simplify, and structure life. Peace was a natural by-product once Order took root in the cosmos.

God’s strategy for re­sponding to Chaos hasn’t changed. Anxiety is a symptom of the real chaos living deep within us. The cure for chaos is Order—the Order to life that’s revealed in the Bible. That’s where we start on our path to peace.

Here’s an example: My dad has struggled with a drug addiction my entire life. After he gave his life to Jesus, he began to pray that God would miraculously deliver him from the chaos of addiction. Yet when he had an opportunity to participate in a one-year Christian rehab program, he rejected it. The program was offering my dad a process. Bible memorization. Guided spiritual growth. Structure.

But he said he had faith for God to miraculously deliver him, without him making those changes in his life. He refused the process of discipleship because he wanted God to wave a magic wand and conquer his chaos. His theology kept him stuck in addic­tion. I wonder if he would’ve made a different decision had he seen God as the Creator who steadily moved the cosmos out of Chaos and into Order.

If there’s chaos in your life, know that God is neither intimidated nor stumped by it. He knows exactly how to conquer the chaos and create Order in your life. Although He might not cure your anxiety instantly, He will lay out a path toward Order so your anxiety begins to correct itself.

Lord, I surrender the chaos within me—the fears, the worries, the burdens I carry. Bring guidance, clarity, and wisdom. May peace be the natural fruit of Your order taking root in my heart. Amen.