“You will continually hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end [of the age]. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish and the time of unprecedented trouble].” (Matthew 24:6-8 The Amplified Bible)
In addition to surviving the chaos that comes with the holiday season, mostly every single year, we have to focus on surviving the chaos exactly as expressed in our opening verses. How do we survive the chaos? Let me give you few suggestions that will be helpful. Stay steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Remember, come what may from day to day, you have a reservation in the Father’s house! So as the Savior said, “Let your heart not be troubled!”
If you want to survive the chaos, walk with God in all your days ahead, like Enoch. Standout among sinners just as Noah did at the time in which he was called to build an ark. Be like Esther and step out of your comfort zone in a time such as this and speak boldly about the good news. You will be surprised how by informing others, you will incite your confidence in the Lord, and indeed know you have followed the Lord’s instructions.
Survive the chaos, my friend, by being like Lot and leave surrounding places where sin is prevalent, popular, and persuasive. Survive the chaos! Be like Peter and step into the places that you thought you could never go spiritually, but unlike Peter, keep your eyes on Jesus! Survive the chaos by learning more from the good news, news that is more positive than the daily news of happenings in this world, and do it daily. Are you interested in surviving the chaos? If you are, pray like Daniel, spread the word like Peter and the other disciples, and keep your eyes on the heavenly city, the place where you will spend an eternity.
Surviving the chaos can be done if you continue to love one another. Don’t focus on the darkness, but on the light. After all, you are, as Jesus expressed it, “The light of the world.”
Oh, as you can imagine, we can go on. But let me simply say what I have tried to accomplish over the years, along with some other counsel. I believe this will help you survive the chaos, and to borrow the title of a book written by Thomas Peters (1987) to help you “Thrive on Chaos.” Here is my additional advice. Stay God-conscious! Live a Christ-centered life! Rejoice always! Stay committed to the climb! Oh, yes, know that your eternal future in glory will be characterized by no more chaos, and there will be an absence of those who cause chaos. You will be in the presence of the Lord who created the world and all that is in it at a time out of chaos, to a beginning free of chaos. Your ending will be chaos free too. Why do I say so? Because of the Lord’s plans for your eternity, my fellow believer! Praise God! Shout hallelujah! Be blessed!
“How blessed are those who wash their robes! The Tree of Life is theirs for good, and they’ll walk through the gates to the City. But outside for good are the filthy curs: sorcerers, fornicators, murderers, idolaters—all who love and live lies.” (Revelation 22:14 The Message Bible)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King