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I’ve been following a series for Lent called “Finding God in the Chaos.” I don’t remember how I found out about it, but an ad came up somewhere and I signed up. It comes to my inbox every day.

I do remember that I was drawn to the series’ title, because for a period of five months, my life was in chaos. Health issues, family issues, church issues, job issues—all began to unravel quickly. I didn’t even have time to catch my breath from one situation, and something else came on its heels.

Humanity was created in the image of God. Nature was beautifully designed by our Creator. But the image of God and His grand design were marred and fell from God’s original intention. So, at times we groan under the chaos that is part of life.  

On a larger scale, injustice afflicts our world. The poor and people without an address, and other marginalized groups are under the weight of oppression. Their cries are heard by our heavenly Father who cares deeply and is indignant by the way His children are treated. Our world groans under the chaos of suffering.

You might be suffering in chaos, or you might have found relief on the other side. My heart goes out to you as a fellow sojourner. To slightly change a popular saying, “Life is hard, AND God is good” (I replaced ‘but’ with ‘and.’). The goodness of God does not negate or minimize the pain of chaos. Instead, in the center of chaos, we can find God and His goodness there.

“Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping” (Matt. 28:23-24 NLT).

A fierce storm arose, but Jesus was undisturbed. As the waves broke into the boat, He rested soundly, knowing He had authority over the wind and waves. Jesus was calm in the chaos. And, the disciples would be safe with Him in the boat.

The disciples were terrified, though. They woke up Jesus. “Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm” (Matt. 28:26b).

Jesus was calm in the chaos, and Jesus calmed the chaos.

We usually don’t have power over the chaos, but Jesus does.

He is in the chaos WITH us.

He has power OVER the chaos.

We can always trust Jesus and find Him in the chaos.

Heavenly Father, You know that life can be so hard and You see all the injustice in the world. Increase my faith when I encounter chaos in my own life. Increase my faith to help alleviate chaos in the world around me. Help me to trust You more, feeling assured that I can find You in the chaos. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.