Good morning, Five Minute Families. Are you in a season of chaos? In a season that feels where every moment is filled with an expected event and then something comes along to derail or add to that? Today, let’s discuss how a God-honoring family can handle the chaos that inevitably comes in some seasons of life.

Of utmost importance is to remember that God is a God of order as 1 Corinthians 14:33 points out, “God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” He can bring order from the perceived? chaos. And, He knows that we live in this sinful, fallen world. He knows intimately that that world will sometimes fall on us. So, if a season of chaos seems to be reigning in your life, remember who is actually on the throne. Take even just five seconds to breath and pray a prayer of thanksgiving that He will sort it all out. He is with us every moment.

So, how does your family walk through this season that seems full of disorder and confusion?

First, and I know we may sound like a broken record (or for a more modern slang… a loop glitch in a video game), but you must realize that the impact of an event is different for each individual member of your family. Within the family identity you are trying to cultivate, never forget that each member of the family is uniquely and wonderfully made.

Second, keep the lines of communication open as you navigate this season of chaos. Try to schedule a family meeting if at all possible. If not, be sure to make plans for future discussions, possibly even keeping notes as things are at the height of the chaos so that you can better remember and address the most pertinent issues.

Third, not only do you need to have planned meeting times for dealing with any issues or debriefing about the options or consequences, in the midst of the ongoing chaotic moments, you also need to choose to seek to understand first before trying to be understood and to be kind in that process. Much of the chaos is easier to process if you know what your loved one is thinking and feeling.

Fourth, make sure you are examining your thoughts for reality-based expectations. If someone in the family has unrealistic expectations, the season of chaos will be much harder to traverse. Make sure you share your expectations with your family, and if you receive feedback about their unrealistic nature, be prepared to enter again into praying that God will give you a clearer view of what He is orchestrating in your family’s life.

And, fifth, be willing to enter into periods of intentional intimacy and intentional avoidance. Each family member will need different levels of interaction time, processing time, quiet time, etc. In a season of chaos, you each need to be intentionally intimate with the Lord through prayer and Bible reading, even more so than you feel you have time for. Likewise, you need to have times of intentional avoidance from loved ones so that you can evaluate your thoughts, feelings, and emotions, making sure you are bringing your beliefs to the Lord so that He can direct you in His path, not your own.

Just as Isaiah 41:10 tells us, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.” God will guide you and the family through this season of chaos. He reiterates that in John 16:33 “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” We will have tribulation, trials, distress, frustration, troubles, and affliction, but what the world intends for harm, God intends for good (Genesis 50:20). We know that seasons come and go, and that we can “glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4).

Five minute families, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” as Hebrews 10:23 encourages. Don’t let the world control your family; let God reign through the seasons – including the season of chaos – and you will be amazed at all He has planned and desires for you and your loved ones.

Thank you for joining us today. We love to hear feedback from our listeners, so reach out anytime on social media or our webpage clearviewretreat.org. You can also email us at cvr@clearviewretreat.org. Be blessed!