3-1 What Do We Do When We are Facing Crisis?

What Do We do When We Are Facing Crisis?

What is Crisis?  How would you define Crisis?

• Dramatic—emotional—or circumstantial—upheaval in a person’s life.
• A turning point for better or worst—decisive moment.
• The outcome of the crisis will greatly be determined by the decision we make while in the crisis.

Jesus is always our greatest Example on how to handle any situation or crisis.  (Matthew 26:36-37, NKJV; Matthew 26:39-46, NKJV)

• First thing to do is pray.
• Second thing to do is ask God to remove the problem—the crisis—nevertheless not my will, but as You will.
• Third thing to do is ask that God’s will be done in the crisis.
• Many times we are spiritually asleep and miss great insights.
• We must learn to lean into to God’s Teaching and Word instead of leaning away.

 What we are doing before the crisis comes does matter.

• Love and serve the Lord before the crisis comes prepares us for the crisis. (Matthew 5:45, NKJV; Matthew 7:24-27, NKJV)
• Our day to day choices greatly determine how we handle a crisis.

Insights to remember:

• We are not perfect and never will be.
• Fix our eyes on Jesus…it is simply the formula to fulfillment.
• Learn to humble ourselves under God’s loving plan quickly. (2 Kings 4:1-7, NLT)
• Looking for blame and shame in a crisis leads to chaos.
• Trust God is bigger than our crisis. (2 Kings 4:5-7, NLT)

3 main reasons we Have Crisis:

1. Many times, we have a crisis as a result of our own (self-induced) behavior.Until we return to God and God cannot use us. (Judges 14:1-4, NKJV)
2. God allows crises.  (Mark 4:37-41, NKJV). Sometimes God allows storms and crisis in our life to grow our faith.
3. Because of what other people do.  (Acts 16:21-34, NKJV)

3 Questions we Need to Ask Ourselves During Crisis:

1. Does God know my situation?  (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT, MSG)
2. Is it too hard for Him (God) to handle?  (Genesis 18:14, NKJV)
3. Does God have a good plan or purpose for my life?  (Romans 8:28, NKJV)

 3 Things we Need to do in a Crisis:

1. Be still—Don’t make major decisions while in a crisis. (Psalm 16:10-11, NIV)
2. Go to God’s Promises and let them help bring you into God’s Presence. (Hebrews 13:5, NKJV; 2 Peter 1:3-4, NKJV).
3. Look for God’s Purpose.Instead of looking for the why—ask what do you want me to learn from this.The only real purpose we have during a crisis is to try and glorify the Father.  (Matthew 5:17-18, NLT; Mark 1:38, NKJV; John 12:27, NKJV

Steps to overcoming crisis.

• Identify and define the crisis situation.
• Explore biblical principles for facing crisis from God’s perspective.
• Define immediate steps to reduce the urgency of the situation.
• Develop a plan for long-term healing and for prevention of similar crisis.