How to put Organization into Your Chaos


~~ Psalm 46:10a (NIV) ~~  He says, "Be still, and know that I am God..."




Downtown Toronto, Ontario at Top Speed
Photo by Carley Cooper  All Rights Reserved
Everyone has a busy life these days.  Are you one that has 78 things on your To-Do list, and they’re all #1 priority?  You have an early breakfast meeting, shopping for cousin Emily’s wedding gift, get the kids off to school, a presentation for an important potential client, 6 dozen cupcakes for the church’s bake sale; and if possible, maybe time for a pee, and to kiss your spouse on the way out the door.  You are on system overload.
 
Is Chaos is the Theme of Your Life Sometimes?
Yea, me too.  My head has been like Union Station on a holiday weekend, lately.  There’s noise and people coming and going in every direction.  These scurrying folks are much like the mind of a person with Bipolar Disorder.  Racing thoughts is one of the basic traits (I hate the word symptoms... oops, there it is again).  It’s up there with:
  • Extreme Mood Swings (from Depression to Mania)
  • Taking on too Much
  • Extreme Energy Changes
  • Impulsive Behavior
  • Damaged Relationships
  • Increased Creativity
  • Poor Judgement
  • Heightened Senses
  • Hyper Sexuality
  • Talking a Lot (and fast)
  • Delusions
  • Decreased (or No) Sleep
  • Poor Concentration
  • Risky Behavior
  • Loss of Appetite
  • and Mental Breakdowns
  • (And those are just the basics; there's more). 
That’s a lot of chaos to put into an already full day.  Racing thoughts are not a question of “If?”, but “How fast?”  Am I going the speed limit on a busy city street, or at maximum speed (in a fast car) on a German autobahn?  Make no wonder our brain’s can’t seem to turn off. 

When You Can’t Prioritize Your List, God Will
In the past few weeks I have been getting messages from God everywhere that says:
  • Quiet
  • Rest
  • Be still
and the scripture verse Psalm 46:10a (NIV), He says, "Be still, and know that I am God..."

I’m not just talking about a few times here and there, but a few times daily.  Obviously God is trying to make me rest.  I’ve tried hard to quiet myself.  My brain, and sometimes my body, doesn’t want to be still. 

Every morning before I get up I do my devotional time.  I read some email devotionals on my Blackberry that came in overnight.  Then, one or two from my books.  Then, I have prayer time.  If I have time, I listen to some worship music.  Other times, maybe a 30 minute meditation program on my MP3 Player.  This morning, again a couple of devotions (from different sources), had the message ‘Be still’.  As,  I began talking to God, I very  clearly felt Him saying in a quiet whisper “Stop”. 

I thought “Huh?

He said “Stop  talking.  Just listen.

“Uh, OK”, I said.  I laid down, closed my eyes and listened.

He said “I love you, Child.

I listened more.  I felt a sensation in my head as though He were touching my mind.  I was aware He was showing me how to slow down my mind, but it wasn’t going to happen in one fell swoop.  I waited to hear what He would say next.  Then, my brain began jumping to different thoughts.  Random items not related to each other.  Emotions and sensory perception is always heightened in those times.  I didn’t move as I laid there.  As if I had turned away from Him, He turned my face (yet, I didn’t move, physically), saying “Me.  Focus on Me.

My focus went back to Him for a few moments.  My thoughts started jumping to all sorts of things from bills I had to pay, to stressful things happening right now, to conversations I’ve had, conversations I would like to have, and more.  He touched my mind and brought my focus to Him, every time I drifted.    

You Will Be Amazed at the New Prioritized List
I knew immediately that He wasn’t about to drop a miracle cure on me, though He could have.  I also knew it was because there wouldn’t be a lesson in it for me, and I wouldn’t have the tools I need to help others later.  Truthfully, that was totally fine with me.  As hard as this road is to travel, and as much as I’ve longed to fit in, the idea of being normal when I’ve never been there is kinda very scary.  Research for my new book, Cocoa with Jesus; about my life, mental illness and abuse, has taught me that many Bipolar patients feel the same.   

In a documentary called The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive: The Stephen Fry Story (Video’s Part 1, Part 2 - 1 hr each) actor, screenwriter, author, playwright, journalist, poet, comedian, television presenter, and film director,  Stephen Fry said:
I asked many of my fellow Manic Depressives… if they could press a button to release them from their Bipolarity, would they do so?  Most, despite traumatic moments in their life, said ‘No’.  So, after all this, what would I do?  I wouldn’t press the button and live a normal life; not for all the tea in China.
God Will Organize the Chaos
I know God will be helping me to calm my mind.  If I can create enough strength to control this issue of a run-away brain, then I could have some control over Bipolar Disorder.  It would be much like what Tom Wooton; speaker, author, Bipolar sufferer, founder of Bipolar Advantage, and writer of a column of the same name for Psychology Today calls Bipolar IN Order; as opposed to Bipolar DISorder.  The mission of Bipolar Advantage is ” to help people with mental conditions shift their thinking and behavior so that they can lead extraordinary lives. “ 

It’s a fascinating concept.  It’s also a course offered to sufferers and clinicians alike, that is getting rave reviews.  They teach how to control the disorders in such a way the patient can still function in life.  It is NOT remission, but it makes that extremely wide zone, that is dangerous to the Bipolar patient, become controlled enough to be safe.  Life will still be in the extreme-personality zones without the danger, or restriction to a ‘box’ life that personalities just don’t fit into. 

I’ve learned God does not waste anything; not even mental breakdowns, mania, or bad decisions.  If I can still my thoughts, even for a few minutes each day, to allow God to work in my mind as He does in my heart, I could eliminate much of the chaos from the Bipolar Disorder, and put it IN order.  Then maybe I can help others do the same.  How cool would that be?!   

Nothing is ever so hopeless that God can’t organize, clean, straighten, lighten, vacuum, build, or fix it.  It’s when you are racing at top speed and can’t stop, be still, and listen; is exactly when you need to do exactly that.  Stop, be quietly, breathe, be still, and listen.  He will help you organize the chaos.

Let’s Pray
 ~~ Dear God ~~ Merciful, Loving Father; thank You for never giving up on me.  I know that sometimes You can be at the bottom of my To-Do list.  Help me to make You my very first priority each morning, and to go to bed each night knowing that I accomplished all the tasks assigned to me in a manner that is pleasing to You.  Please use my struggles and victories to further Your kingdom, and to help others.  In Jesus name, AMEN.

Worship Melodies Milestone!
'How to put Organization into Your Chaos' is Worship Melodies 100th Post!

Now It’s Your Turn
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22 comments :

  1. hat is the coolest thing i've ever heard(or read :-D LOL).

    I tried to do devotional time in the morning,but i'm always sooo tired when I wake up.
    If I laid down and was quiet, I would drift off to sleep.
    I go to bed too late because I get on the computer and spark for too long.
    Then in the morning, I just want to sleep a few minutes more and end up pressing snooze too many times!
    You are so awesome.
    Keep up the good work! Hugs

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    Replies
    1. LOL Thanks Lise. I have a few stories like that over the last few years. One time, I actually heard some nice worship music (I mean audibly heard it. I thought it was my roommate; until I really opened my eyes and realized (1) He was asleep 'cause he worked all night (2) He never, ever played worship music. It's a good thing I didn't smack on the wall to make him turn it down like I was about to. He would have been rather ticked. lol

      I spark way to late myself, but I figure it's way more productive than my real problem... Facebook. There's little to nothing useful on there. One has to be very much into worldly things like 'Keep up with the Jones'' and then bragging about it to be truly happy there. Spark is nothing like that. That's why it's so attractive and helpful to so many.

      Thanks for the support and the compliments. You're a pretty awesome follower of my blog. Thank you for that. It helps me more than you know. Many blessings to you. HUGS

      Delete
    2. I don't have Facebook.
      I tried to open an account and they refused me.
      Oh well. :-)

      You are easy to follow because you a such a great writer.
      And you inspire me because you have so many obstacles to overcome and yet you never give up.
      I give up over nothing and i'm really trying hard not to do that.
      Keep on sparking! Hugs

      Delete
    3. Hmm That's odd. I didn't know Facebook refused anybody.
      Maybe it'll work another time.
      Thanks for the support. I'm blessed to know that what I babble about helps people. Sometimes I'm not so sure how it could help anyone. But I keep going anyway.

      Blessings. Hugs.

      Delete
  2. MONICAMARY3August 30, 2012

    Thankyou Carly for sharing and the reminder that the Lord wants us to slow down.

    I am overcome with joy because of your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. You have not handed me over to my enemy but have set me in a safe place.
    Psalm31;7-8 NLT

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the feedback and support. I hope you are very blessed. HUGS.

      Delete
  3. Another good'un, Carley!
    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL Thanks Kasey. I'm glad you enjoyed it. May it bring you blessings. HUGS.

      Delete
  4. Great blog, Carley. Thanks for "leading" me here. It was just what i needed to read today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. You are a blessing to me too. It helps so much to get feedback, because I know then my writing is helping people. Many blessings to you. HUGS.

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  5. A member of another website linked me to your blog, and I am so thankful that she did! Oh my gosh! You could have written this about me!!!!
    Thank you so much for your insight and for reminding me that I'm never alone. Not only are there people in the world who face the same battles and frustrations that I do, but there is always a divine Savior looking to help me thru the muck!
    Praise Him, and may He bless you!
    Anjelia1968

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so very much for your wonderful comments. You have been a blessing to me today. Many blessings back to you. HUGS.

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  6. Sorry to hear about the problems, Carley - hope it won't keep you from posting on your WM blog...
    HUG

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kasey. I've been overloaded lately. Finding enough time to write is an issue, but I'm getting back on track. Thanks for your concern. Many blessings to you. HUGS.

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. Thanks. I'm glad you liked it. Many blessings to you. Hugs.

      Delete
  8. Great message! :-)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. I hope you have a very blessed day. HUG

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  9. JOYFILLED_MEOctober 20, 2012

    LOVE THIS REMINDER!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  10. Happy 100th post, Carley! I have issues of my own that I have to give up to the Lord for dealing with appropriately. I never tire of that passage in Psalm that tells us to “Be Still . . . “ And I love that song, “Listen, God is calling.” Being in the word daily, meditating on the word, and remaining open (sometimes, simply “being still”) to God’s word and will is key to hearing how the Holy Spirit moves us into action. I remain in awe that God loves us as much as he does. It’s so great they He never gives up on us. May he continue to use us to make a difference for his Kingdom. Hug, hug -- (ejoy) Evelyn

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Evelyn. I pray that God uses my work to advance His kingdom. Many blessings to you. HUG

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