No one is exempt from experiencing trouble in this life. Not Renee and me. Not anyone.
Psalm 34:19 (NKJV) says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.”
We live in a sin-defiled world. The consequences of sin ripple across the earth and touch every life. So when trouble comes knocking on your door, how do you respond?
Do you panic?
Do you crumble?
Do you worry?
Do you hide?
Do you try to drown the pain with alcohol or medication?
Do you feel overwhelmed to the point of despair?
None of these responses help — they only make whatever setback you’re facing worse.
God has a better plan: Love Him. Trust Him. Walk with Him through it all.
Yesterday I attended the funeral of a dear friend — a precious 26-year-old young man named Savaughn. Everyone loved him. Between 1,500 and 2,000 people gathered to celebrate his life. And what a life it was.
He lost his mother when he was young. He had almost no earthly stability, few resources, and constant movement from place to place. Yet somehow, in the middle of chaos, he thrived.
He even adopted a personal motto: #GrowthInChaos.
He slept in many homes, ate meals offered by many families, and received help from many who fell in love with him — because he had a way of giving from a well that never ran dry. His deep love for the Lord was contagious, and anyone who spent time with him was changed by it.
He loved people far more than possessions. He loved worship and had a voice like an angel. His girlfriend said he even sang in his sleep. His fun spirit, huge smile, and infectious laugh lifted every heart around him. Though he owned almost nothing, he lived richer than most — because loving people was his treasure.
After his mother died, his older brother got him into a Christian school. I’m sure the school took a risk and offered scholarships to help him — only to discover they were the ones blessed. He became a light on campus: a standout athlete, a championship basketball player, a joyful member of the worship team, and a friend to everyone.
He later entered a ministry internship program where he flourished. He became a worship pastor who could lead you straight into the presence of God. His voice was beautiful. His passion was pure. His love for Jesus radiated from him constantly.
And then, one day, a sudden seizure.
A hospital stay.
And unexpectedly… death.
It knocked the breath out of all of us.
His celebration of life was one of the most beautiful services I’ve ever attended — a sea of people, each of whom had been touched deeply by his life. As person after person shared testimonies, one thing became clear: we were all challenged by the way he lived.
God.
Worship.
People.
Those were his priorities.
Things didn’t matter to him.
Loving people and loving Jesus — that was his life.
And that made him rich beyond measure.
Growing through chaos wasn’t a phrase to him — it was his testimony.
Psalm 34:19 (NKJV) reminds us again:
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.”
Life will bring chaos. It will bring trouble. Some seasons heavier than others. But trusting God to bring us through is what strengthens us — what carries us to the other side.
And if we can walk through life like Savaughn did — with deep love, a passionate heart, a song in our spirit, and the joy of the Lord as our strength — we may find that the chaos troubles us less and less… and that our lives continue to shine and impact others no matter the circumstances.
#GrowthInChaos
2 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT)
“But thank God! He has made us His captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now He uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.”
