8-4-15 Handling Crisis Biblically

    How does a believer handle crisis in a way which would be pleasing to God and  profitable to others? 
    It can't be just hoping against hope that it will get better.  Nor can it be just staying real busy so there's no             time to think about it. These methods, though often employed, are completely erroneous if the desire and goal     is to please God. God teaches us in 1 Peter 5:7 to cast your care upon Him, for He cares for you; in James 4:8 to     draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you.  How is that accomplished?


    The Word of God, in 2 Timothy 3:16 teaches that the Scriptures are necessary to  progressively move us
    toward godliness.  In DOCTRINE, they demonstrate the righteousness of Christ. In REPROOF we see our                 unrighteousness  and our failing to meet His divine standard of holiness.  In CORRECTION, we find the                    imperative need in repentance to change our spiritual direction. In INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS,  we
    see the critical importance of re-establishing personal godliness in our habit patterns.           

    Therefore,in order to apply the profitability of the Scriptures to our drawing nigh to God and casting our
    care on Him, we  may apply those progressive steps toward godliness in the following way:

    Firstly, we must see every situation, event and circumstance in the light of  eternity, through the eternal           
    perspective of the Word of God.  In the light of His sovereignty we should ask the question, "How does
    God want to use this in my  life or the lives of others to declare His glory and demonstrate His character as            revealed in His Word?" (Ephesians 210)

    Secondly, we must make a careful assessment of our own attitudes, actions and words in the face of those    
    things He has allowed. Are they the thoughts, actions and words that Christ would be demonstrating in
    similar situations.

    Thirdly, we must deal with our sinful heart attitude by prayerfully seeking forgiveness from God in
    repentance, and in practical restitution toward others to whom we have inaccurately represented Christ.

     Finally, there are the actions that are righteous which now, by the power of the power of the Holy Spirit,   
     over-riding fear is displaced by confidence in the Lord,and seen in taking the steps of righteousness which      
     before were shrouded in paralyzing fear, thus displacing the former actions of unrighteousness.  

             A simple illustration might be that of fear of a doctor appointment, not knowing what
             news will be heard.  However, knowing that 1 Timothy 1:7 declares that God has not     
             given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.  So, claiming      
             Proverbs 3:25a-26a to be not afraid of sudden fear, for the Lord shall be your
             confidence,  in  a spirit submissive to the will of God, we go to the doctor's
             appointment, joyfully trusting the Lord.

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