Confident in Crisis

A crisis is in the eye of the beholder. One man’s crisis is another man’s opportunity. In a crisis, faith either moves front and center or to the end of the line. During a moment of crisis our heart can feel overwhelmed by the perception of an encamped enemy. Fear creeps into our feelings and we begin to falter in our faith. An encamped enemy can instill as much dread as the actual battle. It is during these interim times that we sometimes fear the most. Crises, of course, come and go. A terminal patient does not linger forever. There is a beginning and an end. A financial shortfall may require layoffs and budget cuts, but at some point the hemorrhaging of cash stops. A marriage malfunction may blow up in divorce, or get better by dealing in the realities of communication, love, and unselfish service. Relationships develop or decay. It is in crisis mode that we can reject our instinct to panic and become desperate.

Instead, faith trumps feelings. God has brought us safely thus far. He faithfully guides all who follow by faith. Fear erodes our confidence in Christ and replaces it with anger and defensiveness. We capitulate to our feeling that we have to be in control. We believe we have to take charge and corral the cause in our own strength and ingenuity. However, “If God be with us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). He is our light and our salvation, whom shall we fear? The light of His love illuminates our uncertain path. We do not have to fall prey to the tactics of the dark side and thereby doubt Him. We can go forward by faith. There is one thing we need in the middle of a crisis. It is imperative that we dwell in the house of the Lord, that we seek Him in His temple. In the day of trouble He will keep us safe in His dwelling. He hides us in the shelter of His tabernacle and sets us high upon a rock (Psalm 27:4-5). In a crisis, we have joyful confidence in Christ.

Confidence during a crisis means we are collaborative and not combative. Confidence takes the high road of respect. There is no need to blame others or beat them down with verbal attacks. Persuasive people are prone to pride. They are forceful with their feelings. However, people confident in Christ are collaborate. Collaboration seeks out the opinion of others. There is an invitation for intellectual engagement. There is an investment in blocks of time for deep dialogue and discussion. A crisis tries to cause shortcuts, but confident and collaborative teams take the time for convergence of the best thinking to take place. A crisis needs our pride in perception to respect another’s ideas. Our past experience may not be what’s best for the future direction of the enterprise.

It is a confident and courageous leader who can give up control, trusting the Lord and others with the process. Those who are collaborative for Christ are positioned to be more than conquerors through Christ. Where there is no confidence in Christ, there is no continuance with Christ. Overcome your fears by faith in Jesus. He is just what you need. Hold your family, job, and opinions with an open hand. Trust Him and others in the process of crisis management. In a crisis we can be confident in Christ. With faith in God you have no fear.

Taken from Reading #18 in the 90-day devotional book, “Seeking God in the Psalms”… http://bit.ly/bQHNIE

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