DON'T GET CAUGHT UP IN THE WHY

Sometimes we get so caught up in why things are happening that it immobilizes us and prevents us from moving forward. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s okay to ask God why, but He may not always answer. If He doesn’t answer, or doesn’t provide the answer we are seeking we must still move forward. When you get caught up in why something has happened you may feel sorry for yourself, have a pity party, walk around with a woe is me mentality. A woe is me mentality can be described as a feeling of distress, sadness, or grief, all of which we know God does not want us to wallow in. As a matter of fact, He wants just the opposite for us. He gives us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. We don’t always see our way clear while in the midst of a storm, but once we get through the storm we always recognize and acknowledge it is God that has brought us through the storm. It’s my opinion, that when we start thinking we could have done something to prevent something from happening, or we try to fix something that has happened we are being prideful. I’m not saying we shouldn’t take responsibility for our actions. What I am saying is that when we think we could have changed something that was beyond our control we shift our confidence from being in God to being in ourselves. We know we cannot change what has already occurred, so instead we seek God for wisdom. We ask Him to give us guidance and instruction, while at the same time giving us the peace and strength that we need to get through whatever we encounter. We can’t allow others to blame us for things that are not our fault. If you train up your child up in the way in which they should go, and they commit a crime it’s not your fault. If you do everything you can in a situation and things do not go as planned it’s not your fault. Don’t let people goad you into thinking something is your fault when it is not your fault. Once again you are getting caught up in the why. We can either get caught up in “the why” and literally make ourselves sick, with headaches, high blood pressure, knots in our stomachs and restless nights, or we can decide to seek God and His peace, recognizing that what’s done is done and worrying about what has already occurred will not change it. Change the way you think. Instead of thinking about why, think about who. Think about who can bring you comfort, who can bring you strength and who can bring you peace regardless of why. Think about Jesus.

From Crisis to Christ

Crisis can be defined as a dramatic emotional or circumstantial upheaval in a person's life. It is when we are in crisis that we sometimes forget or lose sight of what keeps us balanced. But this is the very time that we need to dig deep, grab hold of our faith and rest in the assurance that God is in control, all things work together for our good, no weapon formed against us shall prosper and we are victorious.

If you think about it, someone around you, someone that you know or maybe you yourself may be in crisis at this very moment. When those that we love or care about, even those with whom we may have had only a brief encounter are in crisis we may be impacted. If it’s someone that is close to us we share their pain. If it is someone we know we may be empathetic. Either way we are concerned.

Crisis affects us in different ways. Our first reaction may be disbelief. We ask, how could this happen? We wonder why me. Even if the crisis has occurred in the life of a loved one, we still ask why me? Why did this happen in the life of someone that I love. It’s not as though we would prefer a crisis occur in the life of anyone else, but we still ask why me?

As difficult as it is we must depersonalize the crisis. As long as we are in the moment, we cannot think rationally. Crisis can immobilize. You may have the strongest support system of people that love you unconditionally, but when crisis hits God is the only one that can provide the comfort needed for you to emerge. He may speak directly to you, He may speak through someone in your support system or He may use a complete stranger. It’s not until He gives you exactly what you need to hear that you will be able find peace.

Don’t put yourself on a timeline. Healing for one person may vastly differ from healing for another. It is important however that you do heal. No matter how tragic the event healing is imperative to recovery and growth. Seek counsel. Find someone that you trust. Sometimes you just need someone to listen. Do not hold onto whatever is causing your pain.

I believe no matter how tragic an event your ability to share your emotions, struggle and healing will benefit you as well as someone else who is facing the same traumatic event. It may be uncomfortable in the beginning but each step you take brings you closer to healing and rediscovery of the peace God wants each of us to have.

Some people become bitter, angry and even turn away from God in crisis, but it is imperative that your crisis be what draws you to Christ instead of away from Him. Don’t allow the enemy to use crisis to destroy you. As we read in John 10:10 the thief cometh not for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

It is not Gods desire for us to experience crisis or the damage that comes with it, but it is His desire for us to have the abundant life that He has created for us.