How can God help me through a crisis
In Psalms 46:1, the Bible says God is an ever-present help in the time of trouble. This verse gives a clear picture of how God is always ready to bail his children out of any mess they find themselves in. Like any good father, it is never the will of God for his children to suffer in vain. And even in the height of COVID-19, you can count on God’s ever-present help. Here are some of the ways God can help you through the crisis
A few years ago, Forbes did a story on how 5 world-class entrepreneurs built their businesses out of some form of adversity. Today, almost every business has been adversely affected by the Coronavirus. Travel and hoteling have especially suffered such a huge blow that there is no telling when or if they will ever bounce back. But just like any other crisis, some markets have flourished. For instance, eCommerce businesses have grown in leaps and bounds. You might have seen headlines of retail stores like Best Buy raking in huge profits thanks to their online stores. Every time there a crisis that results in the closing down of businesses, the same crisis leads to the flourishing of other kinds of business.
One of the ways God can help you through a crisis is to give you an idea that will not be affected by the crisis. Because in every desert of calamity, God will always have an oasis of opportunity. While it is sad that so many livelihoods have been negatively impacted by COVID-19, you can still make the best out of this bad situation – by believing God for an opportunity that is birthed by the unique circumstances of the crisis. Joyce Meyer is a household name but it wasn’t always that way. She narrates how she was abused by her dad as a young girl. Interestingly, the bad situation that the devil put her in literally turned out into a message of hope for millions of people around the world. The following scripture comes to mind;
But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Gen. 50:20, NKJV. These words were said by Joseph when he finally reunited with the same brothers that had sold him off to slavery. Even though they had bad plans for him, God turned out the bad situation into something that would save many people. Sometimes, God will use a crisis to give you a platform to reach lots of people. It might not make a lot of sense when you are still dealing with the mess but when all is said and done, God can turn your mess of hopelessness into a message of hope.
Another awesome example of this timeless truth is Peter. Jesus warned him of the time of crisis that he would face in his near future. But then, he asked Peter to remember to encourage his brothers when the moment had passed. Check it out; And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren. Luke 22:31-32, KJV. So, any time you are going through a crisis, just remember that your mess can be turned into a message.
Repositioning
A time of crisis can be a time of repositioning. Think of the many small businesses that had to close indefinitely due to the coronavirus. Now think of how some of these businesses created an online store and continued to serve their customers virtually. While some were going under the wave, others rode the wave into greater heights. The Bible likens the saints to eagles and eagles are very good at repositioning themselves in crisis.
When there is a storm, eagles allow the wind of the storm to lift them above the storm until the moment passes. And that is what God wants to do for you in crisis. He wants to use the very same crisis that was meant to crush you to reposition you for a great blessing. This is a great time to rethink your strategy and reinvent yourself. This is a great time to ask the Lord to reposition you. Because once everything settles down, only those who have repositioned themselves will flourish in the new post-COVID world.
Even though we have focused on COVID-19 in this article, the truths shared therein are evergreen – you can apply them in any moment of crisis. The important thing to remember is whether you are dealing with a full-blown crisis that affects everyone or a personal one, God is always ready and willing to help – for he is an ever-present help in times of need.