Do you remember a moment, I’m sure, when you felt like everything in life was completely out of control and you were desperate, ready to explode with rage. Or was it a time when you felt so confused and disorganized that nothing made sense and you felt like you were going crazy?
Chaos. We have to get rid of him, right? Establish some order; recover a semblance of structure in things… no way! The ability to live with it, in the moment, and stick with it, is the essence of character.
Do not misunderstand. Endless, constant chaos is not what I’m talking about.
I suggest that if we develop the ability to dwell in chaos, which brings discomfort and a level of mental pain, we can grow much larger and in much more dynamic ways than if we chose the same old sober ways.
Can you bear a little pain, the pain of the current chaos, with patience? The Bible, as a spiritual book, talks about patiently enduring the painful and chaotic. It is mainly a spiritual norm. Most religions speak of the same attitude. It’s about tapping into the resources that are already within you. Resources of the Spirit. These resources have the potential to grow like you wouldn’t believe. But it is true. Nurture them and make them grow in patience, enduring the pains of the present moment.
This is probably the most empowering spiritual principle there is. Just think, if you can deal with this kind of adversity, you can deal with anything! It’s really wonderful. In the Bible the Apostle Paul says that we are more than conquerors through Jesus who loves us. He takes us through the chaos if we let him. The more people come against us, the more we have God’s power to ‘bear’ us.
Elsewhere in the Bible, James urges us to “Have it for joy” when faced with trials of all kinds…why? Because he builds patience, patience, character and maturity in us. It’s that easy.
This is part of the purpose of life.
© Steve J. Wickham, 2008. All rights reserved worldwide.
