I believe that we all experience these times of crisis on our life’s journey, somehow they are unavoidable. It’s really understandable because we aren’t always our best Christian self, we sometimes are operating from a position of anger or pain or misunderstanding. The point is to not stay there. How and why you got there is important though. So how do you handle these times, what do you do? Remember that a crisis of faith is one of the more powerful weapons the devil uses to derail us. Plus, the phrase, Crisis of Faith, is really individually defined. You need to know WHY and WHAT. Why you are in a crisis and what’s the focus.
There really are steps to follow and the first one is to stop, tell the Lord you’re angry and why you are. Second: pray. Ask the Lord to help you in this time. To discover how you got here and why and seek the Lord’s forgiveness for your frustration. I would argue that whatever the reason you are angry, frustration is involved in some way. I also believe that until you acknowledge your anger and seek relief and forgiveness for this you can’t move on.
The third thing you need to do, as dispassionately as possible, is to do an assessment of what was happening and anything that led you to this state. This is to develop coping mechanisms for the future if this returns (it probably will at some point) and to begin coming out of the place you are. Fourth: if you have mature and caring friends, ones who will let you speak anything and not damn you for it but at the same time will allow you to grow and mature and move from this place… tell them your truth and why you feel the way you do. Don’t ask for advice until you’ve gotten all your feelings expressed.
Next check your authority, The Bible, to find rest and peace from your feelings and also the Lord’s answer to your crisis. You will always find your answer to what you’re facing – the point is the answer, not your feelings about the answer. Finally, act on what the Lord’s answer is.
I tend to think that our crisis of faith times is related to the strength of our relationship with the Lord. When we continually develop and care about our relationship, then it grows and strengthens and becomes a pillar in who we are. As we do this the times of crisis are quickly resolved because of our trust in and love for the One who has saved us.
These steps are my approach to challenges, threats, lies, dangers that are the foundation to crises. You now have the choice of using them or discovering your own steps… OR… being a victim of the crisis by giving in to it. We are more than able when we realize who we are becoming.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
(Hebrews 12:1-3, AMP)
How does this relate to a journey? I believe that life is a journey… a glorious, wonderful, learning time full of frustrations, fun, falling, fulfillment and fruitfulness. We have hiccups in our journey… that’s ok because they can be learning times. Take the Lord’s hand that’s extended to you and together you will find joy and peace… and understanding.
