Crisis in Perspective Only

It happens every day—there is a situation that for one person is a crisis but for someone else, it’s par for the course. What makes the difference? It’s all about what one knows. If you know the situation is momentary, easily fixed or only an illusion, it’s not a crisis.

I was flying with a pilot in a small, single engine, two-seat airplane. The pilot pulled back on the yoke and directed the plane straight up until the engine died, at which point the nose of the plane did an immediate 180 degree turn to aim straight down toward the earth’s surface at alarming speed. If I had not known ahead of time that this was intentional and easily corrected, it definitely would have felt like a crisis.

• To the Israelites, being out in the desert with no water was a crisis; Moses knew it was just another opportunity for conversation with God where he would be given the remedy. (Exodus 17:1-7)

• Saul’s army saw Goliath as a crisis; David knew Goliath was a God-less, unprotected, defeated predator no different than a wild animal. (1 Samuel 17:34-36)

• Elisha’s servant saw a crisis while Elisha saw armies of fiery horses and chariots and knew a simple prayer would prevent his own murder. (2 Kings 6)

• The disciples experienced a crisis when their boat was taking on water in a storm; Jesus wasn’t bothered by the storm because He knew how to stop it. (Mark 4:37-39)

In the same way, if you know, really know, that God is looking out for you and watching over you, you don’t get caught up in the ‘crisis’ mentality; if you know healing is God’s will, a negative medical report won’t be devastating; if you know lack of resources is not God’s plan, you do not have to settle for lack; when you know God will never stop doing good to you, you can have His peace. (Jeremiah 32:40) But you have to know.

How can we know for sure? The same way Moses, David, Elisha and Jesus knew: they spent time with the Answer. God doesn’t play favorites, what He does for one He will do for another. (Romans 2:11) Everyone has the same promises and the same opportunity. We all are given the same amount of time each day and each night. When we choose to believe every scripture, we are compelled to act: to seek God, spend time with Him, spend time in His presence, worship Him. In His presence, the assurance and peace are manifested, the answers become clear. When we believe the promises, we will give up sleep or activities to put Him first. The obedience and belief go together, and they are rewarded together in the manifest presence of God’s indwelling Spirit.

Give it a try--there is nothing to lose except a crisis perspective, and everything peaceful and healing to gain.