How to Navigate the Chaos Without Losing Your Mind.

We get pulled in a million different directions each day which forces us to make a million different decisions. Just typing that gave me anxiety. Every direction we take and every decision we make can begin to take a toll especially when it's happening day after day, after day. So, how can you navigate the chaos without losing your mind?

The Bible tells us "do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow has enough trouble of its own {Matthew 6:34} but let's face it as much as the scripture tells us not to worry, to trust God's perfect timing, to pray about our worries and give them to God, we worry, we stress out, and we continue to rush from one commitment to the next. It's no wonder we sometimes might feel like we are spinning our wheels for nothing. 

The Bible tells us that God will direct our path {Proverbs 3:6} and that He has a plan for us, a plan that will prosper us, not harm us, {Jeremiah 29:11} yet there is still trouble in every day, whether it be big or small, we have obstacles to navigate, hoops to jump through and countless moments of feeling less than our best.

As Christians, we believe God holds us in the palm of his hands {Isaiah 41:13} and that his plan will happen in due time. It's natural to wonder when that perfect timing of God's will kick in. To ask when will God’s plan for our life FINALLY take shape?

Here’s a secret – God is ready right now! He is simply waiting on YOU! 

You read that twice, didn't you? It's true. God gave us the right to choose, we simply have to decide to take action! If we live passively then life happens to us but if we make a conscious, active, faithful decision to approach life with purpose and faith our lives will follow God’s will, not ours. How do we do it? Step 1: Change your attitude.

Consider this…your alarm clock goes off. 
You open your eyes. 
What's the first thing you think? 
What's the first thing you do?

A few months ago, I’d grab my phone, hit the snooze button and close my eyes. My first thoughts were “I didn't get enough sleep last night,” and “I’m not ready for this.” 

How sad is it that these were my first thoughts of the day. I don't know how they came to be so negative or when the transformation took place, but I knew I didn't want to live there. Who would? Nothing thrives in negativity. Not to mention, it's a horrible way to start the day.

Buddha says, “What you think, you become.” The Bible tells us that we are a vessel {Proverbs 31:14} by which our family flows from. I didn't understand that my bad attitude was contagious. Not only was I in a bad mood, but so was my husband, and our children. Every morning we'd start out in much the same way. I would turn in the kids' light, they'd grumble. I'd start the coffee and shuffle to the shower, passing by my husband with a grumble of a good morning. Then the yelling would kick in to get the kids to get out of bed and before I knew it we were in full blow "rush mode". We were rushing to get ready, rushing to eat breakfast, rushing to get in the car, rushing to get to school, then rushing to practice, rushing to meetings, rushing to eat dinner...and in the midst of all that rushing we weren't enjoying each other.

God wants us to enjoy life. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 says, “there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.” This particular scripture really resonated with me. God wants us to work smarter, not harder so we can enjoy the fruits of our labor. So we can slow down and smell the roses.

So, a few months ago I consciously hit the “reset button” and everything changed. I'm not going to deny that we still don't occasionally have our moments of semi-coordinated chaos as we rush from one commitment to the next because we deffinetley do but we have also learned how to make it work with grace. To make it fun.

It was simple really, I just had to consciously decide to embrace the morning rather than fight it. Remember all those negative thoughts I was having. I forbid them from coming to light. I decided to change my attitude on purpose. 

Now when my alarm goes off and I do three things:

1. Pray. Yep, while I’m still lying in bed, I praise God for a new day and the many blessings he has given us. I ask for his guidance, grace, and wisdom. I talk to him. “Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” {Philippians 4:6-7}

2. Breathe. I believe in the power of meditation and breathing. I personally practice yoga and find its effects both physically appealing as well as mentally renewing. “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” {Philippians 4: 8} I don't think about the chaos and commitments of the day but rather mentally organize and prepare for all that we need to accomplish. We aren't doing because we HAVE to, we are doing it because we WANT to. 

3. Plan. In truth, I plan more than just in the wee hours of the morning before my husband and children wake up. I have to. If I don't our lives are thrown into perpetual chaos with each of us running in the opposite direction and all of us struggling to stay afloat. The scripture says, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” {James 4:17} I know what is right, I know what tasks I need to do but sadly, I fall short. I know I should meal prep, I know I should do laundry, fold it and put it away before I go to bed but sometimes I’m just too tired or let’s be honest, I don’t want to. Yet, it needs to be done. 

This is where OUR own call to action come into play. This is where our response to the path before us will show our faith and testament to God's amazing plan. In other words, God can pave the way but if we don’t walk down it then all is lost. God wants us to “Let our light shine for all to see. For the glory of the LORD rises to shine on us.” {Isaiah 60:1}

So, what do we do when everyone has practice, so we can either have dinner at 4:30 or 9:00pm?

Take a deep breath, talk to God, then get organized and make a plan!

Take a Deep Breath: Know that you are not alone. Other mothers are going through the same thing. It's okay if dinner is McDonald's once in while just find a balance. 

Talk to God: Turn whatever is weighing you down over to Him. It takes time but talking to God each day and reading his scripture faithfully will teach you how to let the things you cannot control go. You deserve it. Allow God's grace and holy spirit to grant you serenity. 

Get Organized and Make a Plan: If you don’t already have a calendar get one! Mark it up with your family’s commitments. I even color-code mine for each family member. Take a look at the week ahead and take note of the nights you are busiest and pre-plan a crockpot meal (or two), so it’s ready when you get home. Work smarter not harder! Pack a picnic and eat on the run – this can be Fun too! Mark on the calendar when you will do laundry, workout, read the Bible, go on a date with your husband, or even take an hour "off" for yourself. Whatever it is, make it a commitment, not a last minute chore. Prioritize, delegate and smarter, not harder.

Life is busy but if you “listen to sound advice and accept discipline, in the end, you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” {Proverbs 19:20-21}

God Bless,

L. M. Craig

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