Crisis: a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger. Have you ever been in one? As I reflect on my life, I have been in some storms that created chaos for people. Most recently, two hurricanes have pummeled SW FL, where I live. Leaving behind destruction along its pathway. As a northern, I had never experienced one, only on the news! The level of difficulty was intense. Finding gas, food, electricity, and for some people, dry ground. Seeing what damage was left behind.
We expect storms and times of chaos in our world. What we don’t always expect is the crisis that can take place in your heart, a crisis of faith. What do I mean by that? That moment, when all you believe to be true and right, appears to be wrong. When your Spirit says, He is still there but everything else is telling you, He has moved on. The moment of isolation, when all seems lost. Prayers were left unanswered, falling on deaf ears. Have you been there? Oh, I know, we typically wouldn’t answer yes. That wouldn’t be the proper answer for a believer. Yet I can hear the words of the Son now, “My God, Why have you forsaken me”. Think about it. Jesus surrendered and obeyed the Father by laying down His life, and yet still had that tug of war, not My will, but Yours be done. He hung there deserted by all, even His Father in His mind. He ended up lying dead in a borrowed tomb, seemingly hope was lost.
There have been a few seasons in my life that I have felt that way. I will never forget one Monday, many years ago now, pacing my home and angrily asking God where He was. Oh I know, pastors shouldn’t get angry at God. At that moment, I knew that He was able to handle my anger because He had created my heart and He knew me well. It appeared that He had left the building! He wasn’t speaking. It felt like He wasn’t hearing. And it truly felt that He wasn’t doing anything about things. That particular day, I felt a major war of heart and mind. Would I lean into what I could see and feel, or would I lean into what I knew to be true in my heart of hearts? Did I understand? Not at all. Would I have hoped things were different? Absolutely!
In those moments I learned some truths that still sustain me even today.
*We don’t have to always understand how, when, and where He is working.
*He is big enough to handle our honest feelings and emotions.
*He IS there. Even when we don’t see Him. You are not abandoned.
*in those moments that seem like all is lost, He is breathing new life, new breath into you.
*In the end, He does all things well and He sees all.
So in those times of crisis, lean into the depths of your faith. If you give it all up now, what will you go to? There is a scripture that has breathed life into my current pathway. It’s found in Psalms 16:8-11
I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will rest in hope.
10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
11 You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
So today I encourage you to hang on. Keep clinging to your faith. When the storm has settled, you will see that the house is still standing. Why? Because your foundation is on Christ, the firm foundation!
I’ve still got joy in chaos
I’ve got peace that makes no sense
So I won’t be going under
I’m not held by my own strength
‘Cause I’ve built my life on Jesus
He’s never let me down
He’s faithful in every season
So why would He fail now
HE WON’T
