Survive Crisis

Good Morning!! Anyone who has had any kind of life crisis knows a peaceful life can be jolted, by something as common or unforeseen, as a car accident, a fierce storm or a disease.  At first a strong sense of disbelief dominates. "This can't be happening!" we tell ourselves. But when the immediate crisis is over, and the awful events can no longer be denied,...the mind begins to replay our actions and reactions, endlessly. I found myself questioning everything I had done or said,...or all that I failed to say, or do. With the flashbacks came the "what Ifs"...just another way of blaming ourselves, and focusing on feelings of helplessness and stupidity.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.—1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
I'd like to share a few simple guidelines for surviving a crisis in your life. First take a hand in your recovery. While disturbing feelings are running their course, it helps to remember that, like broken bones, your spirit needs time to mend as well. As soon as possible, try to resume the normal duties of life,...no matter how irrelevant they seem. Balance a checkbook. Run the vacuum cleaner. It's tempting to let others protect you, but carrying on with the ordinary routines of cooking meals and paying bills is stabilizing. Even if you find yourself helpless, you can hasten your healing by refusing to given to the feeling powerlessness. There is nothing like getting back into a healthy routine, to sustain us through a crisis. It demands hours of concentration, hours in which we can't ask where things went wrong or brood about the consequences of a mistake. Work can be an aspirin, a tranquilizer, and antacid rolled into one. By forcing your attention away from the crisis, work weakens the grip of memory and regret. Just don't replace one bad thing with another,...pray on it.

The most effective response to any crisis is to pray.

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Dear Father God, we come asking You to make us people that you planned for us to be. We stand together, putting our selfishness away and asking You to use us, to help further Your kingdom. Help us to rely on Your strength and love when crisis comes. Help us to be the gift to others, that You meant us to be. Let us eat hungrily of Your word,...and rest in Your love. Help us learn how to claim and receive all the promises You have made to us. We offer ourselves to You now, asking that Your will be done. Amen.

"The contents in our hearts, and the things that go in them, are more important than any outer packaging."