Question 1

What can cause chaos?

Accepted Answer

Ephesians 4:17With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.An ungodly life can cause chaos and confusion.Judges 17:6In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.Ezekiel 34:5So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd, and they are easy prey for any wild animal.Lack of leadership can cause chaos.Exodus 14:24Just before dawn the Lord looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion.Deuteronomy 7:23“But the Lord your God will hand them over to you. He will throw them into complete confusion until they are destroyed.”1 Samuel 7:10Just as Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines arrived to attack Israel. But the Lord spoke with a mighty voice of thunder from heaven that day, and the Philistines were thrown into such confusion that the Israelites defeated them.2 Samuel 22:15“[The Lord] shot arrows and scattered his enemies; his lightning flashed, and they were confused.”Zechariah 12:4“On that day,” says the Lord, “I will cause every horse to panic and every rider to lose his nerve. I will watch over the people of Judah, but I will blind all the horses of their enemies.The Lord God can cause chaos for the benefit, protection, and defense of his children.Genesis 7:17For forty days the floodwaters grew deeper, covering the ground and lifting the boat high above the earth.Isaiah 24:1, 3-4, 10-12Look! The Lord is about to destroy the earth and make it a vast wasteland. He devastates the surface of the earth and scatters the people. . . . The earth will be completely emptied and looted. The Lord has spoken! The earth mourns and dries up, and the land wastes away and withers. Even the greatest people on earth waste away. . . . The city writhes in chaos; every home is locked to keep out intruders. Mobs gather in the streets.Revelation 6:15-17Then everyone—the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy, the powerful, and every slave and free person—all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they cried to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?”The Lord God can cause chaos and destruction as judgment for sin.Psalm 55:5Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking.Psalm 69:2Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me.Mounting troubles and fears can cause chaos because you feel overwhelmed.Ephesians 4:14Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.Immaturity and inexperience can cause chaos. The more you can grow in godliness, the better you can respond to chaos.James 3:15-16For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.Looking to any source of wisdom other than God can cause chaos.

Question 2

How does chaos affect my relationships?

Accepted Answer

Isaiah 24:10The city writhes in chaos; every home is locked to keep out intruders.Chaos can cause people to become fearful, defensive and apprehensive of one another.Judges 7:22When the 300 Israelites blew their rams’ horns, the Lord caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords. Those who were not killed fled.Isaiah 19:2“I will make Egyptian fight against Egyptian—brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, province against province.”Zechariah 14:13On that day they will be terrified, stricken by the Lord with great panic. They will fight their neighbors hand to hand.Haggai 2:22I will overthrow royal thrones and destroy the power of foreign kingdoms. I will overturn their chariots and riders. The horses will fall, and their riders will kill each other.Chaos breeds panic and can make enemies out of friends and neighbors. Often, self-destruction follows.1 Corinthians 1:10I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.James 3:16Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.Chaos is ungodly and is not conducive to healthy, loving relationships. It deprives people and churches of the harmony that God desires.

Question 3

How can I restore order in my sometimes chaotic life?

Accepted Answer

Daniel 2:14-16When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, came to kill them, Daniel handled the situation with wisdom and discretion. He asked Arioch, “Why has the king issued such a harsh decree?” So Arioch told him all that had happened. Daniel went at once to see the king and requested more time to tell the king what the dream meant.The king’s harsh decree was shocking, but instead of panicking, Daniel “handled the situation with wisdom and discretion.” To restore order in your life, pray for wisdom and discretion. Only then can you calmly and deliberately respond to the chaos around you.Habakkuk 1:12O Lord my God, my Holy One, you who are eternal—surely you do not plan to wipe us out? O Lord, our Rock, you have sent these Babylonians to correct us, to punish us for our many sins.Should the cause of chaos be God’s judgment of sin, accept his discipline and continue to be devoted to him. Discipline can also be discipling because it can help you learn and grow closer to God. While you accept his discipline, also accept his discipling.Romans 15:5May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.You can restore harmony to your relationships by modeling Jesus’ attitude toward relationships. He was loving, forgiving, merciful, sometimes tough, always honest, always patient, always encouraging. You can do the same.

Question 4

The world seems to be in complete chaos. How do I find order and peace in my inner spirit?

Accepted Answer

Romans 5:1Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.You have been given peace as a result of your relationship with Jesus. So partake of that gift. God is constantly at work to give you inner peace as you follow him.John 14:26-27“The Holy Spirit . . . will remind you of everything I have told you. I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”John 16:33“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”Ephesians 1:11Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.2 Peter 1:2May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.Regardless of troubling and chaotic circumstances, your hope and peace are grounded in Jesus, the Creator of order and peace. Take time to consider his eternal plan and his priorities. Recognize that despite present trials and sorrows, he has overcome the world. Jesus promises his followers deep inner peace through the presence of the Holy Spirit.Psalm 61:2From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety,The troubles in life will always threaten your peace. Various degrees of chaos and turmoil will continue throughout your life. In order to find peace in chaos, call out to God and be confident that he will fulfill his promises to you. He will give you hope.Romans 16:17Now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.Guard what you hear and believe; watch the company you keep. Chaos is often the result of not being diligent in avoiding that which causes strife and division in your life. Guard carefully the gates to your soul because chaos, like an enemy army, will invade and disrupt your peace with God.