“In the beginning God 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 NIV).

The first verse in Genesis describes the state of our Earth before God began creation. We only know what it’s like to have light and dark, sky and seas, land and vegetation, sun, moon, and stars, and animals. We haven’t experienced anything else. Farther back than any human can remember, the Earth was formless, empty, and dark. This describes chaos.

The next phrase tells us that the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Chaos existed, but the Spirit of God was present as well. He brought order from chaos, making everything perfect and beautiful. Humanity was created in God’s image. Until the fall. Then, God’s image and His grand design were marred. God’s original design was shattered, returning to chaos.

Last year was challenging. January and February were hard as well. Health problems, mental health struggles, family challenges, job issues, relationship troubles—everything started to fall apart. At times, I could barely catch my breath from one situation before another followed closely behind.

I don’t want to speak too soon. Right now things are better.

The truth is, occasionally, we all find ourselves groaning amidst the chaos that is a part of life.

On a larger scale, injustice affects our world. The poor, individuals experiencing homelessness, and other marginalized groups bear the burden of oppression. Their cries resonate with our heavenly Father, who cares deeply and is outraged by how His children are treated. Our world groans under the chaos of suffering. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to love everyone and to speak out against injustice. At times, we need to step into the chaos alongside others, bringing the light and hope of Jesus. We need to do what we can to address tangible needs.

You may be experiencing chaos, or you may have found relief on the other side. My heart goes out to you as a fellow sojourner. To slightly modify a popular saying, “Life is hard, AND God is good” (I replaced ‘but’ with ‘and’). The goodness of God does not necessarily diminish or eliminate the pain of chaos. Rather, in the midst of chaos, we can discover 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 remained undisturbed. As the waves crashed into the boat, He rested peacefully, knowing He had authority over the wind and the waves. Jesus was calm amidst the chaos.

The disciples would be safe with Him in the boat.

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

Jesus remained calm amidst the chaos, and He brought peace to the turmoil.

We often lack control over chaos, but Jesus does.

He is in the chaos WITH us.

He has power OVER the chaos.

We are never by ourselves.

We can always trust Jesus and find Him IN the chaos, no matter how intense it might be.

When life unravels and chaos intensifies, reach out to Jesus. He’s just one prayer away.