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Frank Viola | Beyond Evangelical
Official Blog of Author & Speaker Frank Viola. Digging below the surface and moving beyond the shallows in today's Christianity.
How to Waste a Good Crisis
We get our head anointed with oil and our cup running over “in the presence of the enemy” EVEN in the valley of the shadow of death. Oh that “rod” and “staff” (Spirit and Word) that comfort me!
God doesn’t push us into that valley but He won’t let us go there alone and He will make the enemy wish he hadn’t participated IF we “keep moving toward the light”.
Love this!! It’s a nice reminder and reality check that through our crisis we can CHOOSE to go to the source of our strength.
Frank, thanks for the reminder of the simplicity of running to, hiding in, seeking out GOD in not only the good but in the crisis of life. I remember a friend once stating that at times she wondered where she was lacking because her life seemed so easy, as if GOD didn’t feel she was strong enough for a crisis. That struck me as odd 15 years ago…why would you “hope” for crisis. I think in her wisdom she did not hope for crisis but she understood scripture so well and observed so many believing people around her being tested that it was just a thought that passed in her mind… “am I not strong enough for a major test in my life?” I know since she has had many a trial, and I feel confident she has stood them well. Though I don’t request trials in my life, and try my best to enjoy the lull between tests, I have come to fear them less and less and to look for the deeper purpose or correction that GOD is trying to reveal. I once heard…when GOD gives you a test…try to pass it so you don’t have to retake it…lol
Yeah Frank, as tough as it might seem, it’s always important to hang onto God. Somehow, He always manages to smooth out the edges.
Oh how I’ve wasted over a year…until recently, at least 🙂
Having survived several crisis’ in the past, I feel compelled to affirm your words of advice. It often seems that the Lord is closest, when we struggle the most and that is due to the fact that we are more open to Him, when we acknowledge our own weakness. “When we are weak, He is strong”. The way of growth in a trial of any type is to work through the crisis with our hearts in God’s hands. Surrendering to the One who loves us beyond measure, will always lead us to the peaceful shore.
So I’m in the middle of a move (9th one since 2007) when I find out yet another family crisis (serious as you want to get)is happening. No choice but to handle a move and a crisis at the same time. Good thing the other 4 still apply. Who in the world can breathe without clinging to God when crisis hits. Wouldn’t dare.
Yes! Ouch! We are definately in such a crisis season. The truths you mentioned are a part of what we are now learning. I have discovered that it is much easier to preach these truths than to live with them daily in your own life! We could not survive without the constant conversation with the Lord, and many times “face to face.” Walking in the dust of The Rabbi means being willing to walk with him to the cross.
My PA Dutch genes say, “We grow too soon alt, and too late schmart.” Thank Jesus that this walk will never end, nor will the learning as God is infinite.
Jesus is in charge. Your blog is a blessing.
I am in the midst of a multimonth crisis at this time. I believe God allows (not causes) these things to come into our lives for a purpose. The Word is full of things that were allowed to happen wherein God’s Grace was more than sufficient. See Job, King David, Paul, Lazarus, and many, many more. These “allowances” may cause us great trials and pain, but through them, He proves His power and His faithfulness. We must NEVER forget that Jesus’ life here ended with a major crisis, BUT GOD was faithful to raise Him and restore what Satan had done.
I agree with you Jim. The Apostle Paul lived it and wrote about the difference between God’s permissive and His perfect Will in Romans and in many other of his writings throughout the New Testament. Paul’s writings on this subject are worth our study.