Kim Melnick
Dec 20, 2025
Worship in the Midst of a Chaotic Season
According to my calendar, it’s almost Christmas, the season of joy, the most wonderful time in the world.
But, over this past week, my heart has been saying something else.
The voices I heard said, “You’re behind!” “You need to catch up!” and the constant reminder, “Don’t let anyone down!”
I feel a bit of this every December, but this year over the past 6 weeks, I’ve spent more nights living out of a suitcase than sleeping in my bed and, returning home in the midst of the Christmas season has left me feeling like I’m failing in every area that matters and in many that don’t.
A season that should be marked by a celebration of Christ has been overwhelmed with expectations that I have put on myself - expectations, many of which, even if executed perfectly, won’t live past December.
I’ve been scattered, stressed and anxious.
But, over the past few days, the Lord has been reminding me that the cure for my busy and anxious heart is to worship Him.
This journey began last Wednesday as I sat down for my time with the Lord in His Word.
With a mind full of scattered tasks, I could not focus.
I prayed and tried to continue, but the words on the page seemed to bypass my brain. And my concentration in prayer was absent. My mind was busy - every thought interrupted with a reminder of something to do.
But, then I sensed a nudge to return to a familiar passage and to a faithful study guide on the book of 1 Peter. As I began to read, I was reminded of God’s goodness to me and of the eternal hope I have in Christ Jesus.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5
The fog began to fade as I recalled God’s great mercy shown to me personally in the Gospel. And as I remembered His work and contemplated His secure plans for my future, I was reminded that the Sovereign Lord of all things is guarding me til glory.
A short time later, I arrived at our staff meeting which always opens with an extended time of quiet prayer. Pastor Arthur pointed us to Isaiah 9 to inform our prayers that day.
Verse 6 leapt off the page. The Lord reminded me, not only of what He has done, but of who He is.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
The soothing balm of God’s Word overwhelmed my soul.
He is the Wonderful Counselor - the source of all true wisdom and perfect guidance. I can hear from Him.
He is the Mighty God - the One who is all powerful and who accomplishes all that He promises. I can lean on His strength.
He is the Everlasting Father - the eternal Father who loves, provides and protects His children. I don’t have to worry - He provides and cares for me.
He is the Prince of Peace - the only One who brings true shalom, wholeness, reconciliation and restoration. He longs to bring peace to my chaos.
My burden seemed to lift for several hours but, upon returning home, the To-do list began to build in my mind again and I entered a familiar state where I am keenly aware of all that needs to be done yet seemingly paralyzed to do any of it.
The words from Psalm 46, which I had studied the previous week, came to mind. This time the Lord invited me, not just to remember or reflect, but to rest.
““Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”Psalm 46:10
I decided to go for a walk, to put in earbuds and to queue up some favorite worship songs with a commitment to let the richness of the words fill my mind and soul.
I’m not going to lie - it was a struggle. I had to re-start several songs to honor the commitment to focus.
Eventually, although my feet were moving, my heart was still.
Once again, the Lord met me, in my weakness. I began to see that all my scrambling for things that will not matter for eternity led me to neglect the One who holds that eternity in His hands. Worship was not a task to complete, it was the cure for my anxious heart.
The following day was full yet, by His grace, I was able to embrace it without significant worry or stress.
That evening, the Lord had graciously ordained that our church, along with Freeway ministries, would gather for a night of worship. This gift overwhelmed me! It felt like grace upon grace from a God who knows exactly what I need. It was a sweet and powerful night!
I wish I could tell you that the struggle was over - that those couple of days changed everything forever..
But, the to-do list is still long and, at times, feels impossible. But, something has shifted.
When the anxiety creeps in, I am quicker to recognize where my thoughts need to go.
I ask the Lord for stillness.
I call to mind His strength as my Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.
I remember what He has done for me and I am able to worship Him in the middle of the chaos.
I am learning that the simplest answer to my deepest need is found in the lyrics of a song we love to sing at Christmas:
O Come Let Us Adore Him.
I hope you’ll join me in seeking to worship King Jesus in the moments of the season - even the ones that feel chaotic.