Peace in Chaos: 3 Days to a More Present Faith Even When Life Feels Rushed, Stressful, or Uncertainنموونە

Does your life ever move so fast that it feels like God is out of reach?

I get it. As an introvert who craves quiet reflection but is raising two high-energy boys, noise and constant demands—whether in my home or from wider world troubles—can quickly push me into overwhelm.

And let's be honest—when we're stressed or anxious, our sense of being connected with God is one of the first things to fade.

For years, I made a critical mistake: I viewed Jesus as "the light at the end of the tunnel." I thought I needed to power through difficult seasons to find Him joyfully waiting for me on the other side.

And I missed something huge.

Jesus isn't just the light at the end of your tunnel. He's the light IN your tunnel.

When life feels darkest and most chaotic, that's precisely where God meets you. You don't have to wait until things improve (or slow down) to engage with Him. He's right there with you in the midst of it because He never intended for you to navigate tough circumstances alone.

GOD'S PROMISE IN CHAOS

Isaiah doesn't say, "Because you're mine, you won't face tough circumstances." Instead, God promises:

• To be WITH you when you pass through waters
• To ensure they won't OVERWHELM you
• To PROTECT you when you walk through fire

And this promise is especially relevant because chaotic waters are a common image used in the Bible to represent danger, threats, and even death. But God overcomes them. He doesn’t just wait for us at the end, He promises to see us through.

God’s care isn't reserved for major life crises either—it's for everyday chaos too:

• Mountains of laundry
• Meltdowns
• Endless to-do lists
• The juggling act of work, home, and relationships

REFRAMING: THE PRACTICE THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING

Your awareness of God's presence doesn't eliminate challenges, but it transforms how you approach and experience them. Mental health experts call this "reframing"—shifting your perspective to see something differently.

Everything changes when you reframe difficult circumstances not as something to escape but as places to encounter God.

Please hear me: I don't seek hard times. I've just learned to look for:

1. How God is there with me.
2. How His Word proves true even in difficulty.

This growing awareness is one way He transforms our minds!

A few years ago, my family faced a medical emergency that landed both my newborn and my toddler in separate hospitals on the same day. Even in those hospital rooms, God showed up.

We didn’t have to wait until all was calm and quiet to experience His closeness. Across town from each other, my husband and I asked God to care for our kids and show us how He was there amid beeping monitors and worried hearts. And God answered our prayers.

I see this play out in moments of overwhelm, too.

God’s not just the light at the end. He’s the light in the beginning, middle, and far after.

MY OLD PATTERN VS. MY NEW REALITY

• OLD THINKING: "If only I can get through this chaos, THEN I'll have the peace of mind and the time to connect with God."
• NEW REALITY: "God, show me how You are HERE, right now, and show me what to do NEXT."

Sometimes seeing God's presence in your struggles is as simple as slowing down enough to look for Him, recognizing that you're not alone, no matter how stressful the circumstances feel.

YOUR 60-SECOND GOD-ENCOUNTER

Take just one minute: Where is life hardest right now? Your schedule? Relationships? Health?

Whatever it is, God isn't waiting for circumstances to improve before showing up for you. He's already there, wanting to be found. Ask Him, “Lord, show me how You’re with me in this.”

Tomorrow, you'll discover a simple practice that transforms ordinary moments into a powerful connection with God—even on your busiest days.