4 Things Believers Need to Remember in Crisis | To the Church

It’s been quite an intense 2 weeks to say that least, but we’re making in through. Can I get an AMEN? I’ve been trying my best to stay off social media, but the truth is this social distancing thing has made me miss EVERYONE! I’ve been working from home, an answered prayer for me as I’ve always wanted to work from home but I can’t help but want to get out and do simple things like go to the movies and the grocery store without a mask and gloves.

Alas, as I’ve strolled through the streets of social media, I could not help but notice the amount of fear and anxiety within the body of Christ because of our current inability to come together to fellowship. I am so somber and disheartened at the level of grief within the body being that we are supposed to be the light of the world, letting our lights shine so that the world can glorify our Father in Heaven. Instead, the dismay has revealed a lack of faith and a deep need for revival.

So, I decided to address the distress through this list of four things believers need to remember in crisis.

1. Persecution is your portion: 2 Timothy 3:12 tell us that, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution”. I’m not sure where this notion of becoming a follower of Christ relieves you of a life of worry and sorrow but it needs to go away because it is simply NOT TRUE. Jesus was persecuted and all that will follow Him should rejoice and be exceeding glad when you endure hardship for righteousness sake, because the reward for it is great in heaven (Matthew 5:10-12). Don’t fret when you see storms rise as they are a part of the life of a believer. Instead, lean into the Word of God even more.
2. Times of crisis always include spiritual warfare: Please do not be overcome with what you see with your physical eyes. In times of crisis there is ALWAYS a spiritual element working in the background to shake your faith. If you continue to see things with your physical eyes you will never be able to fight the battle spiritually. The truth that the enemy does not want you to know is that WE DO NOT FIGHT WITH FLESH AND BLOOD (Ephesians 6:10-18). Keeping your mind off the spiritual aspects of a crisis will cause you to never put on the armor of God and stand against the wiles of the devil. When we skip down to the end of the Bible, we see clearly that this fight is already fixed and we win with Christ. So, do not be deceived or distracted. Apply the Word of God and seek God even more to understand what and who your true enemy is.
3. God will NEVER leave or forsake you: Hard times have a unique way of convincing people that God has somehow fallen asleep or that He’s forgotten about you. Again, another lie that the enemy so badly wants you to believe. The Word of God tells us in Hebrews 13:5, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” This scripture shares with us more than the fact God will never leave us, but it also tells us to be content where we are and with what we have. This is important because it affirms that we can TRUST God now matter what. When we have a lot or when we lack; when we’re living our best lives or if we’re having a meltdown; GOD CAN BE TRUSTED! Take your eyes and mind off what’s going on around you and spend time in the presence of God. The Lord is ever present in crisis, we just need to slow down and quiet the noise around us and seek God every situation.
4. Crisis invokes the manifest power of God: While we may be loosing our minds, having meltdowns, and freaking about all the many things we cannot control, our lack of control is PRIME TIME for God to show you (and others) that’s He’s the one truly in control (and honestly always have been). There are countless examples in scripture that display the mighty hand of God when His people were most vulnerable.

• Daniel in the Lion’s den: Daniel 6
• The nation of Israel leaving Egypt: Several examples throughout the book of Exodus
• Elijah calling fire down from heaven: 1 Kings 18, 2 Kings 1:10-12
• The feeding of the multitude: Matthew 14:13-21
• The woman with the issue of blood: Luke 8:43-48

I could go on forever but I’m sure you get the picture by now. What you need to recognize within all these examples is that when man comes to the end of his strength there lies a prime opportunity for God to show Himself all powerful. In the midst of crisis, when things are out of our control, just know that God is using this time to show you how mighty He really is.

I pray that as you read through this list that your faith is restored and that you are provoked to trust God and focus more on His Word rather than your circumstance. Additionally, I have created a FREE resource called How to be The Church. For it is within these times that we must apply all that we have learned of God. CLICK HERE TO GET INSTANT ACCESS TO YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD.

How do you work through times of crisis? What scriptures do you rely on? Share in the comments below.