There are those times when we find ourselves facing a crisis. Sometimes it is one of our own makings, sometimes it is one that God has led us into, and then there are those forced upon us by others. They all may be different, and the circumstances widely varied, but there is a common thread among all of them.
Webster defines a crisis as an unstable or crucial time, or a state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending, especially one with the distinct possibility of a highly undesirable outcome. The Greek the word is krisis and it means “decision.” And that is what is always involved during a crisis… a decision must be made. Or, if you will, “make a decision or one will be made for you,” because a crisis cannot be ignored without consequences.
Isn’t it true that when we find ourselves amid a crisis, especially one which comes upon us as a total surprise, that we naturally turn to others for advice? That is not necessarily a bad thing but it is not the first thing we should do or the thing that we so often “don’t do.”
The Lord has placed the perfect tool for dealing with the crisis within us; His very presence, His Holy Spirit. But we so often turn to others seeking advice. This is where we get into trouble and make the crisis into more than it should be or ever become. When man’s opinion is entered into the equation it generally follows that a large margin of error is introduced.
Let me suggest that there is a common thread involved in every crisis we face; Jesus. He is the first one we need to turn to for advice on how to handle the situation. Listening to others will often only lead us down the path of their influence and to the source of their influence. Their own opinion may be filled with personal biases that may have a negative impact on the situation; leading us away from the Godly wisdom we need.
We must be very careful during a crisis to guard our heart, for the enemy “always” seeks a way to turn that crisis against us; to use it as a point of entry to draw us away from the Lord. For that reason we need to shut out the opinion of others at the outset and seek God’s wisdom first. His wisdom may very well lead you to seeking counsel from others, but they will be the ones He leads you to.
How do you know?
If you have an ongoing and deepening relationship with Jesus then He will give you the peace that goes along with His leading. In many cases that will be the peace that “passes all understanding.” That is the peace that comes when you “know that you know,” no matter what others may say or the opinions they try to introduce. Therefore, we must always judge what others have to say about the crisis based upon what God has to say; what God has already told us.
We are all faced with crises, they are part of life and our path to spiritual maturity. How we handle them determines where we will be when they are over. When they have passed, will we be stronger or weaker; as will our faith. And it is all determined by how we work through the crisis. Did we walk in God’s wisdom or man’s opinion?
James 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Do not let the opinions of others cloud your judgment, they will only confuse you and you can rest assured that confusion comes from one source. When the next crisis comes, the first voice you should listen to is that “still small voice” within. Ask for His wisdom, and ask believing you will receive it; be unwavering.
We must firmly stand in faith on God’s Word and not let doubt enter in. Let the voice of your conscience relay the message of the Holy Spirit. He will never steer you wrong. Why? Because He is the “direct line” to all wisdom … He is the Guiding Light!