A spiritual root of chaos and confusion
A lesson on blind spots and the reality that sometimes change requires more than just "discipline".
Before I get real spiritual…a lot of “chaos and confusion” can be resolved by taking a break from news, cutting caffeine & alcohol, turning your phone on airplane mode, stretching or drinking tea to down-regulate in the evening, going to bed at a reasonable hour, waking up when the sun rises, drinking lemon water on an empty stomach, starting your day with worship music in the background and going for a walk outside before you even look at your phone.
Yes, peace and clarity can be simple…
And still, there is more than one reason why change can be feel so difficult…the answer isn’t always as easy as, “I just need more discipline.”
In my work with other high-achieving, Type A, Jesus following, spiritually sensitive people…
Many are trying navigate the chaos and confusion that can come during their spiritual awakening, major transitions, and important life decisions…mentally, emotionally…in their identity, purpose, health, relationships, work, or even with money.
It helps that I’ve had to navigate quite a bit of this on my own journey — more than I’d like to admit. But through my journey guiding others I’ve also found there’s no steps, tool, process or personal experience that beats asking Holy Spirit.
During a coaching conversation sometimes asking Holy Spirit is as simple as quietly allowing Him into my thought process. “Lord, what are You wanting to highlight in this conversation today?” Other times I’ll pause and ask the other person, “Do you want to bypass the intellect and ask Holy Spirit?”
Still…I think Holy Spirit loves a good framework.
To help share frameworks and guide the direction of conversations, I usually log a history of notes in my private chats with clients. I’ve found it’s really helpful in reflecting on own growth...especially for those who have years of chat history. But it’s also helpful for me to stay focused on our coaching calls as I’m guiding.
The other day I was having a coaching conversation with someone who has been making a lot of progress in reducing their own version of chaos and confusion. Before the call I sensed Holy Spirit prompting me to have them review notes from our chat several months earlier.
I pointed them to this framework:
“You’ve stated an intention to remove what you describe as ‘the chaos’ from your life. I wanted to start today’s call with this framework so you can have a visual reminder of what that may look like. On the left is what confusion and chaos can be…exhausting…lots of energy directed in different places…unclear priorities…busy but not effective in relationships, work and other things. On the right side is a visual example of what some boundaries and order can bring…clarity, effectiveness and peace. Take a look and let me know what you’re thinking as you reflect on those top two areas of your life we’ve been chatting about recently.”
“Yes, it’s so good to have this reminder because I can immediately see how much less chaos I’m experiencing…and how there are still certain areas I need to work on.”
“Excellent. Let’s talk about those things.”
We carried on and the call ended.
Later that same day I was out grocery shopping in LA.
As I walked in the store Holy Spirit highlighted someone else shopping. They had an upside down cross stitched on their jacket, a large rabbit tale attached at the hip, and some other symbols that told me there was lots of spiritual chaos and confusion happening…including a symbol on their black ring that I couldn’t see that closely.
Over the years I’ve grown very sensitive to these things. Sometimes people are consciously devil worshiping. Other times people have no idea what they’re involved with and what they’re doing.
As I caught their eyes for a moment I could see they had no idea what they were wearing or what they were choosing…tattoo symbols, certain jewelry and clothing. For all they know it could have just been fashion decisions. But the spiritual reality was too heavy for me to ignore so I asked Holy Spirit about it. And you’ll have to watch the Instagram video to hear how that ended…
As I got home I was led to start learning about all the different symbols I was seeing. I don’t recommend blindly or aimlessly searching the internet for occult symbols. But I was confident I was in a place of what I would call “grace” to do this for the time being.
I came across this one website that shared a few symbols and their meaning…
Here’s what Holy Spirit showed me:
I can’t make it up.
There it is. The occult symbol for chaos and confusion…coincidence? No such thing…and I’m pleading the blood of Jesus over you as you’re reading.
The exact same day I was in conversation with somebody about their progress towards less chaos (and how difficult it can be) is the exact same day I uncovered the spiritual explanation for why many stay stuck in this chaos and confusion bondage.
There is way, way, way too much to get into about bloodlines and how our ancestors could have opened doors that we pay consequence for…but for you, as you’re reading, I break any agreement with this symbol and any curse over you or your bloodline in Jesus’ name. Be free.
I hope you can see more of the reality behind Scripture that says we are not fighting flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12)…
While I’d like to say discipline is the answer for everything because then we’d have more control than we actually do…the reality is we are not just physical beings but also spiritual beings…with spiritual roots to practical issues.
The enemy wants us to live with these spiritual blind spots…thinking something is “wrong with us”.
But we can be thankful for Holy Spirit who leads us to Truth…whether that’s through awareness or repentance. We can be thankful for the blood of Jesus that gives us the freedom to live from a new identity that is no longer in bondage to these things.
I won’t go in depth about the power of His blood. That’s not what this was about. But if you want more understanding…just ask for it. Ask Holy Spirit to highlight whatever He wants to show you in Scripture like 1 Peter 1:18-19, Colossians 1:20, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9, 1 John 1…
The lesson: We are in a physical world with spiritual realities. Have grace for yourself when you’re facing stubborn challenges. And ask Holy Spirit for help.