What You Communicate in Crisis Communicates the Real You

Photo: ©eclipse_images from Getty Images Signature via Canva.com

There are two parts to every crisis: what is happening to you in real time and space, and what is spiritually happening to you as the Father matures you through the trial.

You may want to read:

• I Trusted God, and My Life Fell Apart
• A Practical Plan For You to Rise Above All Your Trouble
• The Number One Key to Endure a Relationship

The first thing is usually easily discernible to anyone associated with the crisis. Your friends can see what is happening to you. The other thing is not as perceptible to the ones involved in the situation or those observing your trouble from afar.

The First Thing – When I go through a crisis, I can usually articulate what I am going through as well as the strategies I hope to implement to get out of it. From a practical perspective, it is essential to let others know what is happening. You want to share with them your plans to bring the crisis to an end.

Your friends care about you; they want to know what is going on in your life, and they want to know what your “crisis management plans” are, as well as what they can do to help. This type of interaction is typical and expected Christian love and concern.

The Rest of the Story

The Other Thing – But for people of faith, we must tell the whole story, which is not just what we’re going through in real time and space. It’s the other story that includes your understanding of what the Father is teaching you as He takes you through the crisis.

Our unbelieving culture has only one narrative. They can only tell you what they are going through and what they plan to do about it. Their story is incomplete in that there is no other-worldly element and experience for them. They find their best hope in their strength, abilities, plans, strategies, and endurance.

But for the Christian, there is an intuitive awareness that God is up to something. You know that He is active, speaking, and working on your behalf. The Christian understands that the story he is going through is more about drawing attention to God than the real-time and space aspects of the crisis. The crisis becomes an opportunity to magnify the Father.

It’s Not About You, Primarily

If the point of your life is more about God rather than yourself, which it should be, most assuredly, the hardships you go through are more about the glory the Father receives rather than the personal comfort or security you experience.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Job’s Highlight Reel

My old friend Job reminds me of a believer who went through some of life’s most excruciating trials. But through all of it, his faith, like a stained garment, bled through the pain he endured. Through the years, I have found inexpressible satisfaction with Job’s faith in God. He was weak, tired, and at times he was bitter. He received little help from his friends, and even his wife could have been a better supporter.

God was determined not to give Job explanations for the trials he was going through. And for Job, it did not have to make sense. His faith was not resting in the hope for future explanations. He situated his confidence in a good God who was able to do the impossible. Here are three of my all-time favorite faith-infused Job quotes:

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, Naked, I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:20-21).

Though he slay me, I will hope in him (Job 13:15).

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last, he will stand upon the earth (Job 19:25).

When the movie about your crisis is a wrap, what will people remember? What you did or did not do in the crisis? What God did through you in the crisis? Will you magnify God or yourself?

Call to Action

1. Is the Father being glorified through your current crisis?
2. What is your spouse learning about your faith in God through your current crisis?
3. As your children observe you in crisis, what are they learning about your faith and your God?
4. When going through a crisis, do you convey worry and anxiety to your friends, or do they see your transformative faith?
5. What do others remember about your last situational difficulty: (1) Your anger and anxiousness; (2) your faith in God?

Need More Help?

1. If you want to learn more from us, you may search this site for thousands of resources—articles, podcasts, videos, graphics, and more. Please spend time studying the ones that interest you. They are free.
2. If you want to talk to us, we have private forums for those who support this ministry financially. Please consider supporting us here if you would like to help us keep our resources free.

Rick Thomas

Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.

In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).