Thrive on the Edge of Chaos
by Brady Mathis

In every season of life there is more and more "busyness" that effects our lives.  In the world-according-to-Brady, there are three ways we can respond to these conditions:
1)  Become rigid and fight disorder to keep the status quo
2)  Be absorbed into the chaos of life, taking on its character and nature
3)  Use trouble as the impetus for positive change and personal growth

Chaos often has a bad reputation, but you need to change the negative perspective with which you have viewed your circumstances - chaos is potential energy.  God still presides over all of heaven and earth and the storm is a tool in God's hand to stretch us, challenge us, and give us opportunity to overcome.  Bear in mind these concepts to thrive both spiritually and physically in the chaos that prevails in the world around us.  Remember that each of these is a choice.

Trust
You can trust God.  That is the truth.  Our natural minds often complicate trust by clouding our perspective with facts.  The realities of our natural lives can be louder than the spiritual reality of the kingdom in which we live.  You must rule over those things and choose to focus on the truth of God's Word.  Remind yourself that you can trust God and of His promises to you because that reality can overrule the facts of life.
Romans 4:20-21
20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

Adapt
Change is life - life is change.  If we stop changing we die.  To adapt to changing circumstances that are pushed on us by chaos is how we are formed into the image of Jesus Christ.  Adaptation is a deliberate choice to change myself - not my circumstances or the people around me.  Adaptation is not the same as conforming.  We are strictly charged in the Word to be unlike the world around us and so we must keep our personal priorities aligned with God's eternal perspective.  Consider the things that are troubling you today.  Will they be there in a week, a month, a year?  When seen through the lens of eternity, those problems are put into proper perspective.  The end result of adaptation as lead by the Spirit of God is always same, "I can do all things through Christ!"
Philippians 4:11-13
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Reorganize
Now that you are trusting God and have dealt with your heart attitudes and mind sets before God, you are ready to seek God for practical direction, this is reorganization.  This is where the spiritual intersects your natural life and provides concrete actions for you to take.  Changing circumstances around us do not always result in changes to our natural lives, but it is vital to give God the opportunity to make changes when necessary.  Without question, you want God's order to direct your steps.

Flow
To flow with the Holy Spirit is the proper operation of faith (see Jet Faith).  In this state of being you are discerning, warring, worshipping, growing.  There is creativity, innovation, a folding increase (exponential), and joy!  The gifts and fruit of the Spirit are free to operate according to His will and we are transformed, propelled into destiny by the chaos we feared would destroy us.  

This is the Glory of God in His people!

Psalm 46:1-7
TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN. A PSALM OF THE SONS OF KORAH. A SONG FOR ALAMOTH
1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
*Alamoth - a young woman of marriagable age; a bride