Life has a way of throwing curveballs that leave us reeling. You know the drill—one minute you’re cruising along, and the next, everything feels like it’s spiraling out of control. For Ida, a 57-year-old Christian woman whose life has been a testament to duty and kindness, this reality has become all too familiar. She’s built her life on supporting others—her family, her colleagues, her community—always the first to lend a hand. But recently, the weight of her responsibilities has become a whirlwind of chaos. As a data entry clerk, she’s good at her job, but it’s never been her passion. It’s a means to an end, supporting her family and putting her sons through college. Yet now, even that stability feels threatened.
Until a few months ago, her husband Joe, her best friend and a wonderful partner, was her rock. But a secret he’s been hiding has shattered her sense of security. Those so-called business trips to Las Vegas? They were gambling binges that drained almost all their savings. As if that betrayal weren’t enough, menopause has brought with it a slew of aches and pains that leave her feeling like a shadow of her former self. To top it all off, her youngest daughter, at just 25, is dating a man with no ambition and seemingly no plans for the future. Ida worries that he’s taking advantage of her daughter’s kindness. It’s a whirlwind of crazy, and Ida is left wondering why all of this is falling on her at such a vulnerable time in her life.
If this sounds like a familiar place to you, you’re not alone. All of us will reach an apex in life where everything we’ve believed and held deep in our hearts is challenged. It can lead us into spiritual warfare, where we have no other choice but to tightly fasten the spiritual weapons our Heavenly Father has provided.
We can go through life a very long time underestimating satan’s attempts to bring a case against us in the courts of heaven. As Job, chapter 1, very clearly points out, he is the accuser, and has been spying on us through his demonic cohorts in an attempt to cancel out our faith and separate us from our Heavenly Father. Ephesians 6:12 (NLT) says: “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” It’s tough to acknowledge, but yes, the enemy can use those closest to us, including our spouses and children, to come against us.
Ephesians 6:13 (NLT) tells us, “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” As God’s children, His Word can’t be a peripheral concept that we pull off the shelf when it’s convenient. It must be digested and understood to the point that it becomes the very essence of our being. John 1:14 (NLT) reminds us, “So the Word became human and made his home among us.” Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is the living Word of God. This is our destiny: that the Word of God would dwell so richly in us that we become replicas of our Master Jesus.
God’s spiritual weapons include the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. This means we must be grounded in God’s Word to the point that it becomes the foundation of our very being. Our habits should reflect the righteousness of Christ, and our minds must be renewed—not according to our own thoughts or societal views, but to rock solid truth of what God tells us in His Word Our character should embody moral virtue and integrity. And talk about prayer—praying must be the backbone of our everyday get-down. Pray at all times: in the morning, afternoon, and all throughout the day.
Have faith
These practices are not optional for true disciples. They are pillars of the level of spiritual maturity God has called us to. These spiritual weapons equip us to stand firm in our faith and resist negative influences. And we have a choice, we can either give up and retreat, or we can stand strong and fight the good fight of faith. To do the latter and prepare for a triumphant victory in Christ, we must do two important things. The first is to have faith that we will win, because this is what God promises in His Word. And the second is to acknowledge where we’re standing amidst the crazy.
Be honest with yourself about the struggle
There’s no shame in it. It’s okay to admit when we’re struggling. Even the most seasoned believers hit patches where the road feels lonely and the horizon dark. God understands the struggle. The psalmist captures this beautifully in Psalm 34:18 (NLT): “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed” It doesn’t weaken our faith to face our pain and brokenness, but instead, it opens the door to what God is going to do both in us and for us.
Shift to a perspective of gratitude
Another vital component that lifts us to the triumph we’re sure to attain is shifting our perspective towards gratitude. In times of chaos, our natural instinct is to focus on the storm. But, as Ida learned, if we begin to look for the stillness in the eye of that storm, we’ll recall the words of Jesus in John 16:33 (NLT), “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”. This promise reassures us that while crazy might be a part of our reality now, it doesn’t define our destiny. Instead, gratitude allows us to see beyond our struggles and recognize the hope that lies ahead.
We need to engage in daily moments of gratitude, however insignificant they may seem. Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT), “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Gratitude towards God can shift our focus from the blame, resentment, and anger to the hope that is in Christ. Ida needed to count her blessings—her supportive sons, her daughter’s resilience, the strength that’s seen her through tough times before. When we do this, we can more clearly see God’s hand at work in our lives.
Be Patient
Finally, remember that after the crazy comes a level of growth and blessings that you could not have imagined, but it requires patience. Just as a butterfly must struggle to emerge from its chrysalis, so too must we wrestle through our challenges to build that faith and endurance our God requires. Remember Isaiah 40:31 (NLT), “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.” Trusting God in this process allows Him to work within us. As we renew our minds to His Word, we will find new strength in Him to rise above the crazy and triumph!
In the end, triumphing over the whirlwind of crazy isn’t about pretending the storm doesn’t exist. It’s about embracing the journey with all its bumps and turns, leaning into faith when it feels shaky, and allowing ourselves to be molded by the very chaos that feels overwhelming. For Ida, this meant accepting that her faith may waver, but God’s love remains constant. This is our path as well. It is God’s love that has the power to transform our trials into triumphs, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, we are is never alone.
In the end, triumphing over the whirlwind of chaos isn’t about pretending the storm doesn’t exist. It’s about embracing the journey with all its bumps and turns, leaning into faith when it feels shaky, and allowing ourselves to be molded by the very chaos that seems overwhelming. For Ida, this meant accepting that her faith might waver, but God’s love remains constant. This is our path as well. It is God’s love that has the power to transform our trials into triumphs, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, we are never alone.■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Triumphing over A Whirlwind of Crazy”, written by Rev. Fran Mack. Edits by Kim Times and K. Lizzie for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2024. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.