Some time ago I heard a pastor make the following statement, “A crisis does not define who you will become; a crisis reveals who you already are.” Upon refection of this statement, I most heartedly agree. Throughout the life of a Christian there will arise many difficult times of trials, testing and, yes, even crisis. These events will manifest themselves in a variety of venues – including financial, marital, sexual, family, work and co-workers.
Building upon the premise that “a crisis will reveal who you already are” – one must ask himself, “What would I do in a time of crisis?” The Scriptures teach that there are times that we should stand – yet, there are also times that we should run. And, we need to know the difference with regards to our response. In Ephesians 6:10-18 we are called to “put on the whole armor of God; be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might; stand therefore.” In this passage we are instructed to put on the “whole armor of God” – such that we can stand against the “wiles [tricks] of the devil”. To put on the whole armor of God necessarily requires one to draw near to the Lord through His Word and through His Spirit on a daily basis.
There will be days when you will find yourself struggling with work situations; get in the car to come home only to find that the car has a flat; only to find that one of your children is running a fever when you walk through the door. It is at times like these that you need to pray that the Lord will give you the strength and the guidance to deal with each situation and to see you through them. But let it be understood that one who has a daily walk with the Lord will quickly turn to Him in a crisis – as opposed to running away from Him (and blaming Him) for the crisis. There will also be those times where a loved one is on their death bed and the family is calling upon you for encouragement and support. Again, in times like these, the Lord’s strength must be revealed through your life. Remember these words. Hebrews 4:14-16,
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
There will also be those times when you need to know to “run”. In 1 Timothy 2:22 we read that we are to “flee youthful lusts”. If you recall the story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife – Potiphar’s wife tried for some time to get Joseph to “lie with her”. Day after day she tempted Joseph to lie with her – and to spend time with her. Note the following passage. Genesis 39:10,
“And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.”
Joseph clearly knew that to even spend time with Potiphar’s wife – whether to console her or to just be alone with her could spell disaster. Notice Joseph’s response. Genesis 39:8-9,
“But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth [knoweth] not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
Then one day Potiphar’s wife masterminded a plan to get Joseph all alone with her, so that she could thrust herself upon him. Joseph fled the house – not out of cowardice – but with courage, honor and dignity. Though he was placed in prison because of a lie – he could hold his head in honor before the Lord.
So now it must be asked, “When a crisis is thrust upon you, what kind of a person will be revealed; a God-honoring person or a God-shaming person?” Don’t wait for a crisis to get close to the Lord; begin today by drawing nigh unto the Lord in fellowship and worship.
