What do you think about when life is difficult?  What is the first thing that your mind does when crisis decides to pay you a visit?  Do you jump into a panic?  Do you loose sleep?  Or maybe you are the complete opposite, maybe you hibernate to get away from it all.  Endless tears?  Continual anger?  What is your response to crisis? 

I’ve been reading a book called “The Man God Uses” by Henry and Tom Blackaby.  It has been a great book so far.  I am not all that far into the book.  But I had to stop and think about this line of thought that they’ve got going on here.  Check this. 

“Character is not shaped by crisis; it is revealed in crisis.  When crises occur, you can discover more about yourself as you listen to the words that come out of your mouth, as you see what actions you take, and as you monitor your attitude and evaluate how Christlike it is.” 

WHEW.  Better tighten your belt a few notches. 

How does that resonate with you?  How have you dealt with crisis lately?  Have the words that come from your mouth and the actions that you take, and the attitude that you display all been more like Christ, or more like man? 

Please don’t make me answer.  I’m sure we won’t be happy with the answer!  At least, I’m not. 

But here’s the great news.  You and I are just works in progress.  Romans 5:20 reminds us that “where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.”  Right now you have the opportunity to turn this crisis that you are experiencing right now into a tool that molds you and makes you more like Christ. 

So, maybe crisis or difficult times will never be fun.  That’s probably true.  However, on the flip side, every crisis I have gone through, God has been there with me the whole time.  Faithful as the day is long.  So, I guess we need to think a little before we throw our hands up in anger, or go hibernate till the storm is over.  I guess there is a lot to be learned. 

What do you think?

~Peter