Have you ever lost Christ somewhere between frantic phone calls and forms? That was me this past month!
August hit our family like Hurricane Harvey hit Houston. Blustery, unforgiving, and abundant in chaos, one crisis after the next landed on our doorstep. Wave after wave, I gasped for air, longing for sunlight with little reprieve.
A Break in the Clouds
Although I’m still gasping a bit, God’s steadfast beams are beginning to peek through the angry clouds still hanging over our home. And I’ll bet you might be feeling tossed about as well! Whether you’re rebuilding your life from scratch or knee-deep in back to school craziness, new beginnings can be overwhelming.
Dwell in Him
For me, the sunlight began to edge its way in a few weeks ago upon the wise words of author Micah Maddox. She shared her own chaotic month. Although preparing her children to return to school, launching her new book Anchored In: Experience a Power-Full Life in a Problem-Filled World and having just moved, she still found peace. And that peace resided in Psalm 27. In the simple reminder to dwell in Christ.
Hearing these words, something in me broke. It had arrested my stress. It broke the chain on my heart and released my soul. A door unlocked and freed me from my self-imposed prison.
My soul rejoiced in praise for a reunion with the One who is there with us everyday, every moment. The One who I’d forgotten over the last few weeks. The One who always stands ready with boundless love and a warm embrace. What solace in falling into His arms. I’d missed my Jesus hugs! Why had I forgotten to ask? Why had I ignored His still, small voice?
Contentment Anytime
I’d forgotten Paul’s teaching that Christ provides contentment in any circumstance, not just in the moments when life is good (Phillipians 4:11). I’d forgotten to fling myself at Christ’s feet when chaos first strikes. Not wait until I’ve hit rock bottom. To seek Christ with unrelenting steadfastness at the start. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
A Spirit of Power, Love and Self Control
Author Holley Gerth has also reminded me of truth during this dark time. Just the title of her soon to be released book, Fiercehearted: Live Fully, Love Bravely, has led me to back to the same verse that God has been speaking over me for the last few months. God hasn’t given me a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and self control (2 Timothy 1:7). That even in the darkness, God has given me the spirit of a fierce-hearted warrior princess. That in my times of distress, I’m to fight to seek Him. That I already have the power within me to fight the darkness. The power of the Holy Spirit that dwells within me and every believer who has accepted Christ as her Savior. What power could be more effective or magnificent? We just have to press our soul’s call button and it’s there! Say a prayer and it is there!
And not only are we constantly blessed with His incomparable power, but His limitless, unconditional love. A love like nothing we’ll ever experience from humans in this world. A love more consistent, dutiful, pure, and complete than any human can ever give. And again, it is there as His offering to us, anytime, anywhere. Isn’t that just soul-restoring?!
As if God’s supernatural power and love weren’t enough, the Holy Spirit also grants us a spirit of self control. Not just self control to prevent us from eating that tasty potato chip to quell the anxiety our darkness brings, but self control to reach out to Him in our time of need. Not to reach for the remote, our credit cards, or something else to distract us from our pain. But to reach for the Word, to pray, to connect with Him in an intimate way that soothes our present suffering. To hand over our fears, anxieties, darkness, and pain to the One who can handle it all so much better than we ever could alone.
So as much as I’ve hated being away from you wonderful women the last few weeks, I’m thankful for the chaos I’m starting to embrace. I’m thankful for the Jesus embrace that produced this post. I’m grateful that I waited patiently in His time to hear it. Because He knew the message that I was to send. He knew the words I’d stopped and started several times before weren’t His, but mine. That my words couldn’t make His difference. That only His could. That regardless of our circumstances, we must remember to dwell in Him always and fight with the spirit of power, love, and self control that He has given us.
I’m praying for you in the midst of your own chaos! Be brave and fight to seek Him through the darkness!
REFLECT:
1. How can you fight to find Christ in your present chaos?
2. If you’re not in chaos now, how can you prepare to fight to find Christ when darkness strikes?
RESOURCES:
1. Anchored In: Experience a Power-Full Life in a Problem-Filled World by Micah Maddox (Releases TODAY! Order here!)
2. Fiercehearted: Live Fully, Love Bravely by Holley Gerth (Releases Oct 3rd. Preorder now for awesome giveaways!)
GIVEAWAY!
Leave a comment by September 30th to be entered to win your very own copy of Anchored In: Experience a Power-Full Life in a Problem-Filled World by Micah Maddox (*THIS IS A CHANGE*)! Winner will be emailed in early October. Bonus for bloggers: If you’re the winner, I’ll feature your blog on mine and on social media during October!
Congrats to our August giveaway winner, Maureen B! Since she’s also a blogger, I’ll be featuring her blog this month! Click here to enjoy!
FOR READERS: September Inspiration!
Be inspired by other moms braving back to school and new beginnings! Click here to read their stories!
FOR BLOGGERS: Welcome to the Mom-ventures Monthly Link Up!
September Theme: Back to School & New Beginnings
- Feel free to share a post recounting how Christ has seen you through this busy back to school season or simply any new beginning!
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Allison,
I like the idea of our soul having a “call button” that taps right into God and His indwelling Holy Spirit. When things get chaotic, I often forget that I have all that I need. Yes, instead of reaching for the chips or the credit card I need to reach for His Word. Continually being in His word (on good days and bad days) helps me fend off and be better prepared for when the chaos hits (and it surely will). Great post!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Hi again Bev! So glad to “see” you here! Love your comment, as it reminds me of where I need to stay today! Blessings back atcha!
Thanks for these timely reminders, Allison! We’re in the back-to-school whirlwind, and the reminder to remain anchored in Christ was just what I needed this morning!
Hey again Stacey! Having such fun getting to know you through our blogs! Yes, the BTS whirlwind is gobbling me up even as I type. “Christ, please center me.” is on replay in my head these days. Best wishes as you brave the crazy too! Blessings!
I needed to read this. It has been so hetic lately. That this was right on time!
Thanks for stopping by today and welcome! Yes, hectic is our new normal this time of year. Prayers and blessings!
if it were not for Jesus in the midst of my storms, the winds would have overcome me a long time ago.
For sure! I’m clinging to Christ’s blowing cloak now! Blessings!
What a great reminder and encouraging word, Allison. Thank you for waiting on Christ’s word; His is ALWAYS right and ALWAYS on time if we will yet be patient, hearing His message for us. You hit home on this one for me, Allison. Thank you!
Hi Carol! So excited you stopped by to visit! Your steadfast faith inspires me! Yes to all you said! Prayers to you and yours as Irma approaches!
Great post, Allison! I’ve actually wondered if everything was ok as I hadn’t seen anything from you in a while! I should have checked in!
Thank-you for sharing your heart and beautiful message!
Hey Lindsey! So glad you stopped by again! Aw, thanks for thinking of me during my blogging break. It was a rough month, but a great reminder of why I blog: for Christ and Him alone! Hope all is well in your world in this busy season! Be sure to link up one of your posts this month too!
Your writing is beautiful! God is SO much greater than any darkness or chaos we could ever encounter, even the destruction from Hurricane Harvey. Thank you for this reminder!
Sydney Meek | meeklyloving.wordpress.com
Hi Sydney and thanks for visiting! Welcome! So glad God touched you through this post. So true! Blessings to you and yours!
This has been my life the past month. We’ve just put out a new book and it’s been a lot of work! But I’m grateful now for time to breathe, for seeing how God is working, and for the opportunity to get to share hope with others. I struggle with finding that contentment in the storm, though…a work-in-progress!
Hi Rebekah! Thanks for visiting today! Yes, me too! So hard to pause for peace when chaos clings to us! Congrats on your book!!! Tell me more and big blessings on it!
Hey Allison! The book is called Hope for the Hurting Wife, and it comes out of one of the darkest times in my life, when I wasn’t sure if my marriage would survive – or even if it should survive. God brought another friend into my life who had struggled in her marriage. She was a strong friend for me, and over time, God led us to write this together, out of the experiences we’ve had. The book launched on Tuesday and we’ve already had an overwhelming response as only God can orchestrate! We’re praying it continues to reach the women who God has planned it for. It’s a redemption story – redemption of marriage and faith. It’s not a promise that God will redeem anyone else’s marriage, because we can’t know that. But it’s hope for women who walk the dark road of marriage struggles and crisis.
So exciting Rebekah! Congrats again – not only on your book but surviving such a dark time! Surviving the darkness is the greatest victory of all and credit to our Creator! Life is crazy; seek Jesus! Blessings!
Handing over our pain, frustration and fears to Jesus releases His peace in us. I know because I did this on Sunday during worship.
Hi Helena! Amen, sister! Hope you’re resting comfortably in His arms as I type! Thanks so much for visiting and blessings to you!
Allison, so wonderful that you were able to share two great resources in one blog post! Sharing a post in the link up, and glad to find your writing home via the Fierce Hearted Launch FB page!
Hi Michele! Glad you enjoyed hearing about both books in one post! I wasn’t quite sure if that was faux pas or not? Thanks so much for visiting and for linking up! Headed to your blog now! Yay for #fiercehearted Friends!
Hey there, Allison! I’m so glad we are neighbors.. I clicked on over and there are just so many things I love about this post! I’m on Holley’s launch team and cannot wait to get my hands and my heart around Fierce-hearted! It’s going to be amazing! Also – we just went through the hardest, darkest Summer and this truth of choosing Love and of clinging to Him in the midst of chaos is a lesson learned and fought for in our own lives, too! So good and vital and full of Truth and Hope!
Hi Karrilee! So glad to “meet” you too through the #fiercehearted launch team! And so glad you stopped by to visit today! Glad this little post resonated with you! It sounds like we have both survived challenging summers! Blessings!
Great article .thanks for giving us a opportunity to win.
Thanks, Noelle! So glad you stopped by today! Blessings!
Leaving you a comment for your give away. Thank you, what a nice thing to do. I lived the back to school chaos for 30 years as a school administrator! This was my first “not back to school” and I found some joy in it (I got a pedicure on the day school started and went out to lunch — it was totally weird!). I came to your blog off another new start up blog link. I’ve been praying about whether to start a blog, I have a few life stories. More recently God has been dropping a few writing pieces in my heart and I’ve been sharing them on Facebook. Now I’ll click your link thru to God’s storytellers. Thank you.
Hi Verna! Wishing you luck in the giveaway drawing! So exciting that you’re considering launching a blog! It is so much fun – connecting with others and sharing God’s Word! Sending you prayers that you will bless others in God’s name, regardless of your next steps! You’ve already blessed me by stopping by today!