Conviction in the Chaos

Have you ever woken up with spiritual warfare already pressing on your mind and heart? That was me this morning. Before I had even started the day, frustration and disappointment weighed heavy because things hadn’t gone the way I had asked or expected.

As a stay-at-home mom, homeschooling four children, my days are full of rhythms, repetition, and constant training. That comes with its fair share of misunderstandings, hard moments, and—let’s be honest—total frustration.

Even in the shower, where I was hoping for just a few minutes of peace, interruptions came. The kids were fighting over which device got to play the one Spotify account, and by that point I felt ready to burst.

But right there, in the middle of my pity party, the Lord met me.

When Conviction Comes

When I finally got my “perfect” worship setting—quiet shower, hot water, my favorite soap, and the song I wanted—the Lord brought immediate conviction. He gently shifted my focus from myself to others: the prisoner in a cell, the person confined to a sick bed, the child without parents, the one without a pillow or a safe place to sleep, the soul who doesn’t even have access to a shower.

The song playing sang out: “I’ll never stop praising Your name!” And suddenly my heart joined in, but with a twist: “Even if I don’t have the perfect song. Even if I don’t have the perfect setting.”

Like Hebrews 13:15 says:

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.”

That’s when it hit me: worship has nothing to do with circumstances and everything to do with the posture of our hearts. Will we praise Him even when it’s messy, inconvenient, or uncomfortable?

Conviction vs. Condemnation

Conviction like that is beautiful. Why? Because conviction always draws us back to God.

• Conviction says: “Come closer.”

• Condemnation says: “Stay away.”

  
  

Conviction leads us into His presence. Condemnation pushes us into hiding, shame, and guilt.

A Challenge for You

So today, I want to challenge you: lift your eyes above your frustrations and posture your heart toward Jesus. Let Him speak into your situation, your season, your desires, and your direction.

Sometimes His leading takes us down what feels like a “conviction highway,” but it always gets us exactly where we need to be—closer to Him.

Prayer

Father God, thank You for meeting me in the middle of my chaos and redirecting my heart back to You. Forgive me for the times I let frustration or self-pity drown out my praise. Teach me to worship You in every season, not just when the setting feels perfect. Give me a heart posture that honors You above circumstances, and let conviction always draw me closer to Your presence.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pastor Sarah Bell