Calm Among the Chaos

Psalms 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Dogs barking.  Kids fighting.  Baby crying.  TV blaring.  Work deadline looming.  Dinner burning.  The dreaded “To Do” list that sits on the table:  Taxes need to be organized, school papers need to be signed, the house needs to be cleaned, laundry is threatening to overtake the laundry room…”Calgon – take me away.” 

Do you ever feel like there is too much that needs your attention ‘right now’ when all you want to do is sit in your favorite chair with a good book or to watch a great movie?  How are you supposed to get the work of three people done in the amount of time that even one person’s tasks cannot honestly be accomplished? 

I have found when I am feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, that the best thing I can do is stop what I am doing and take some time to give it all to God.  That might sound counterproductive to some.  If I already need more hours in the day, why am I choosing to sit and be still before God when I could be crossing things off my To-Do list instead? 

From personal experience, on more than one occasion, when I choose to give God my time first and ask Him what His agenda for my day is, it inevitably works out much better than on the days I have tried to do it myself.  I find that even though my To-Do probably does not get completely crossed off, on either day, on the days that I ask God what He wants me to do, I have more peace, things get done faster, and there are less frustrations.  On the days I just plow ahead without consulting Him first, there are more mistakes, more time is wasted, and my day is far from smooth.

The key for me, to actually achieve calm among the chaos, is choosing to give God my time first and letting Him be in charge of my schedule.  I challenge you to try it once and see if it does not work for you as well.