Listen Now
My coffee cup says, “Chaos Coordinator.” Life at work and home does not follow a tidy pattern. I am good at organizing, but you couldn’t tell by looking at my office or my calendar (if you could find it).
I have a large and energetic family that includes my pastor husband, six kids, eleven “grans,” and at least nine furry grand-pets. So yes, I am older. I am also privileged to co-pastor a small church where we help the hurting in our neighborhood by providing meals and clothing. It grows from there as I learn what the deeper needs are of those who come through our doors. And I still fight battles. It’s just that I’ve learned a thing or two to help me keep fighting when I want to give up.
Years ago, I suffered my first rough experience with what I learned was clinical depression. Everything seemed beyond my abilities. Even bathing, getting dressed, washing dishes, doing laundry, and other ordinary tasks seemed impossible. During that time, I received a blessing from God from an unusual source, an Agatha Christie novel. The way I paraphrase what God showed me is “Do 10 impossible things before breakfast!” My first 10 impossible things included getting out of bed, showering, dressing and so on. It seems pretty basic, but it worked – I didn’t stay in bed. I faced the day … and got at least a couple of tasks done.
Though the chaos of life gets overwhelming, God is not overwhelmed. He does not expect me to be everything to everyone — including myself. He’s really the only Chaos Coordinator. God spoke, and light came from darkness, shape came from nothingness, calm arose the storm, life grew in the midst of dry bones and death. God brings comfort and the courage to fight.
I also found a list of things I could do when life seemed to be spinning wildly. Sometimes I feel a sense of failure, I have a strong urge to crawl under the covers and hide from the chaos. Those are the days I’m not interested in fighting ANY battle.
The original author of this list is long forgotten, but I am so grateful God brought this list to my attention. I practice what I preach and it still helps. I think it may help you, too.
- Listen to music that lifts your soul and makes you dance and sing.
- Brighten your surroundings with vivid color and light (even a cheap coffee cup, placemat, or lit candle will do).
- Pick a project to help or encourage someone, like a neighbor or someone who does not get out much.
- Go outside for a few minutes on as many days as you can.
- Start a blessings jar and add notes describing how God had helped you in your life.
- Put encouraging scriptures in places where you face the battle. If going out is a struggle, put one in your purse or on your door. Leaving my house is still a major battleground, but once I am out, there’s victory.
- Pray!
UPPERROOM’s song, “Surrounded (Fight My Battles),” speaks to my heart. “It may look like I’m surrounded, but I’m surrounded by You.”
Whether depression or other chronic conditions surround you, keep fighting! God is with you all the way, and He works every day in your life. Some of my best blessings come in the middle of the battle, not at the end. Keep watching for blessings, small and large, because they speak life and hope.
May God give you a sense of His surrounding love today!
Crystal Schippling and her husband, Gary, co-pastor a small church near Detroit. Their church is an eclectic group of folks who have had some rough times in life. They are being strengthened and restored while serving their community in many ways. Crystal enjoys sharing what God is doing here and now. She has been a women’s speaker for several years.
