The Other Side of Chaos - by Margaret Silf (Paperback)

About the Book

The Other Side of Chaos gives us the courage to trust God when life is breaking down and to see our messes not as something to be rescued from, but as something that will help us break through to a place where God makes all things new. Discover a new way to navigate chaos and to find meaning in the messes of life.

Book Synopsis

It's Time to Say "Yes" to the Mess

We've all heard the old adage "The only constant is change," but how do we actually respond to the changes that come at us from all sides? From satisfying work to sudden unemployment. From a happy marriage to a hurtful divorce. From caring for the kids to caring for an aging parent. These are just a few of the countless ways that life hurls us into the chaos of change, where our certainties are shaken and our faith may even begin to falter. But what if we saw the chaos--the "mess"--of our lives not as something to fear or eschew, but as something to be embraced?

In The Other Side of Chaos, best-selling author Margaret Silf looks closely at the subject of chaos--and the intrinsic transition it brings--through the lens of Christian spirituality. Through Scripture stories and verses, personal accounts, and other anecdotes, Silf helps us develop an authentic "spirituality of transition" that leads us to live out life's changes constructively, creatively, and confidently. Ultimately, The Other Side of Chaos gives us the courage to trust God when life is breaking down and to see our messes not as something to be rescued from, but as something that will help us break through to a place where God makes all things new.

First Place Inspiration Category, 2012 Excellence in Publishing Awards

From the Back Cover

It's Time to Say "Yes" to the Mess
From satisfying work to sudden unemployment. From a happy marriage to a hurtful divorce. From caring for the kids to caring for an aging parent. These are just a few of the countless ways that life hurls us into the chaos of change, where our certainties are shaken and our faith may even begin to falter. But what if we saw the chaos--the "mess"--of our lives not as something to fear or eschew, but as something to be embraced?
In The Other Side of Chaos, best-selling author Margaret Silf looks closely at the subject of chaos--and the intrinsic transition it brings--through the lens of Christian spirituality. Through Scripture stories and verses, personal accounts, and other anecdotes, Silf helps us develop an authentic "spirituality of transition" that leads us to live out life's inevitable changes constructively, creatively, and confidently.
Ultimately, The Other Side of Chaos gives us the courage to trust God when life is breaking down and to see our messes not as something to be rescued from, but as something that will help us break through to a place where God makes all things new.

Review Quotes

"One of the best parts of last summer was discovering Margaret Silf. If you're going through any kind of transition in your life right now, this book is a fabulous companion. And her chapter called 'Will You Save Your Life or Spend It?' is truly amazing. I wish I could make it required reading for every person I know."
--Ginny Kubitz Moyer, RandomActsOfMomness.com


Life is rarely orderly. The Other Side of Chaos is a strongly recommended pick for any Christian who finds the rapid changes in their life to be one of the tests they don't think they can pass.
--The Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Margaret Silf is a popular retreat director and the author of numerous books, including Compass Points, Inner Compass, and Close to the Heart. She lives in Scotland.