how to face an unexpected crisis…

we have been looking here about some facts about crisis now let’s look at how to face an unexpected crisis.

first of all we need to refocus on GOD’s closeness.  when you’re going through a crisis, in order to not be afraid, you stop and you get your eyes off the problem and onto GOD.

matthew 8.23 (niv),  then JESUS got into the boat and HIS disciples followed HIM.

when the disciples were in the middle of the storm, who was in the boat with them?  JESUS.  if you were in a boat and GOD was in the boat with you, would you be afraid?  no.  they forgot who was there.  they forgot that GOD was in the boat.

i read a story the other day.  charles colson who we lost this past year, was saying that during the nixon administration, he and henry kissinger and richard nixon were in air force one flying somewhere.  they got in a violent storm.  the plane was rocking back and forth.  and kissinger looked over to colson, pointing at nixon and said, “i feel a whole lot better because he’s on the plane.”  that was a false sense of security!  especially during watergate.  that did not guarantee anything.  nixon was not god.  he was not invincible – watergate proved that.  if the plane had gone done, what could nixon do about it?  zip! 

now if kissinger had looked over and saw GOD setting there, then he had a legitimate reason to not be afraid.  there would be no reason to worry.

steve brown is a pastor in florida of the key biscayne presbyterian church and steve hates to fly.  he says he especially hates to fly in the big jumbo jets because you don’t see anything that’s going on.  “you can't see the pilot or the cockpit or anything.  all you see are the stewardesses saying, ‘calm down. don’t worry.’  they don't know anything.  i want to talk to the guy who’s in control.  i actually prefer the little planes over the big ones.  i like the single engine planes.  you’re only one seat from the pilot.  i actually feel more comfortable in little planes because i sit there and watch the pilot, especifically his upper lip.  if no beads of perspiration are there, i know he’s ok.  and if he’s ok, i’m ok.”

that is a perfect illustration of keeping your eyes on the LORD.  HE’s the pilot in life.  if HE’s sleeping in the boat, i don’t have to worry.  if HE’s in my boat and HE’s not concerned, i’m not concerned.

just a thought from the front porch…