The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season is upon us and although this is a season of great joy it is also a season of excessive busyness. Anytime I think of busyness I think of chaos. Everything is out of order, the to-do list has grown like 5 miles longer and there seems to be endless activities to attend and not to mention; extra baking, shopping, wrapping, elf on a shelfing, partying, Christmas carding and making sure we do all the traditions we have started so our kids have great memories to look back on. There is just so much to do. How in the world can you even find Peace in a season that seems to provide no rest and is full of chaos.

Lets be honest, this goes far beyond the Christmas season. This can be ANY season in your life that is chaotic. You could be moving, changing jobs, getting married, raising a slew of babies. Or maybe your  facing something like a financial crisis, a divorce, an unplanned pregnancy, a lost job etc.

Did I happen to mention I personally don’t handle chaos well? I lived through a chaotic childhood/young adulthood and now as an adult prefer things nice and tidy and in straight rows maybe even color coded one day when I’m not raising 4 kids haha. you get the idea. I do NOT function well in chaos. Honestly, I loose my ever-loving mind. So how can we find Peace in these seasons full of extra demands, worry and maybe even fear and NOT loose our ever-loving minds in the process.

Well, God shows up. He reaches into our chaos, fear and worry – hopefully before our minds are lost and gently reminds us that HE will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in him. Emphasis added. (from Isaiah 26:3) So what does it mean to have a steadfast mind?

The definition of Steadfast is: firmly fixed in place, immovable. not subject to change, firm in belief, determination or adherence, loyal. When we are in a seson of chaos we must draw near to the one who is PEACE. God is Peace. There is no peace outside of him and our minds need to be firmly fixed on things above (Colossians 3:2). Our minds need to be loyal in prayer and determined to seek the truth in our situations.

Another facet of having the perfect peace God promised us is to bridge the gap between our sin and God. The first step of that is to repent. Asking God to forgive us for our transgressions. Our failures. The ways we fall short and mess up everyday. He of course already knows all the ways we fail but we need to name them and ask for His forgiveness. It is only through Jesus that we are able to do this. Jesus was the bridge that connected us in our sin with God again when we repent God is faithful to cast our sin as far as the East is from the West. ( Psalm 103:12) When we repent of our sinful nature and keep our minds steadfast in his word, prayer and on things above he promises us that no matter what our situation He will keep us in his perfect peace.

Having the peace of God doesn’t change our situations. That Christmas to-do list is still waiting for me. The chaos of raising babies is still there. Your job is still lost and your bank account is still empty BUT GOD will give you peace in your situation and he promises us that He knows the plans he has for us. Plans to prosper us and not to harm us. Plans to give us hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11).

I hope that if you are going through a chaotic season in life no matter how big or small you find you rest in Him. Jesus told us “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”(Matthew 11:28-30 28).

I recently attend a Women’s dessert that our Church put together with a good friend and of course little Grayson. It was such a fun night filled with some fun music, yummy desserts of course, and a few speakers. Towards the end of the night I was walking Grayson trying to keep him quiet and one of the speakers started talking about the story of Mary and Martha. It was a quite fitting story for me in this season of life and actually I laughed out loud when she started telling it. If you don’t know the story here it is. Jesus came to the town that that sisters Mary and Martha lived. Martha invited Jesus over to their home. Jesus agreed and while Jesus was there Martha was busy being a superstar hostess probably cooking, cleaning, maybe decorating too and she became pretty upset with her sister who was literally doing nothing. Just sitting at Jesus’ feet visiting him while Martha was probably a sweaty mess trying to do all the things while her sister did nothing. Martha went to Jesus and started to complain about how her sister wasn’t helping her out and she was doing everything. Jesus preceded to tell Martha that she was upset and worried about a lot of things but few are needed and actually only one. That Mary had chosen what is best and it wont be taken away from her. I laughed out loud at this story because I am Martha. I’m busy trying to make everything perfect for everyone I leave little room to sit at Jesus feet and just listen. To quiet my surroundings and listen. That is all apart of us keeping our minds steadfast. To fix our minds of things above sometimes we just need to be quiet  and hear what God is trying to tell us. You can find the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42.

Doing these things is a lifestyle and something we need to do consistently. We cannot read a few bible verses, listen to some praise and worship and sit for five minutes and expect God to plop a big helping of peace in our laps. It doesn’t work like that. We need to be consistent in our relationship with him. Just like ANY relationship communication is key. Keep in his word, pray throughout the day and surround yourself with those like minded who will positively influence you.

My prayer for you is that whatever you are going through, however big or small that you have Gods perfect peace surrounding you. That you will lean on him, quiet yourself at his feet and yoke yourself onto the one who can carry your burdens and all the heaviness we try and carry alone. He has been patiently waiting for you to come and ask for help, to come and sit at his feet and listen to what he has been trying to tell you.

xx

ali

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:16

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26

1 Peter 3:10-11 – “For whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.” – 1 Peter 3:10-11

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” – Psalm 4:8

“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

“Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” – James 3:18

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:15

“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” – 2 Corinthians 13:11

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:3

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6

“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” – Romans 8:6