Crisis – Peter Gowesky

In Spiritual Growth

In Times of Crisis What Do You Do?

June 2, 2012 3 Comments

I wrote the following post back in May of 2008. I thought maybe we could revisit the topic… Let’s hear your thoughts…

Time Crunch Creates Crisis

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.

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. He has been faithful as the day is long and even longer. 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? How do you respond in times of Crisis?

~Peter

In Uncategorized

Caves, Hideouts and Tree Forts

April 23, 2012 No Comments

A Psalm of David, while he was in hiding.

“Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord that to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” Psalm 118:4-9

We traveled to Ein Gedi to see the land and all of the mountains around. We are traveling through an extremely arid climate where everything went from being lush and green to being sandy and dry. We pull into the park and we begin to hike up the mountain towards the source of a waterfall. Along the way we are looking all around us and are noticing the caves that dot the mountainsides. These are the same caves where David came to hide from Saul in 1 Samuel. King Saul is ticked off at David and he has come to hunt him down. He wants him dead. Where does David go? To Ein Gedi. He and his men are hiding in the caves there when all of a sudden Saul comes along. Saul enters the cave that David and his men are hiding in to “cover his feet”, or “use the facilities”. David cuts the corner of King Saul’s robe and lets him live.

These are the caves where David was hiding. This is the same location that it is thought that David wrote Psalm 118 from. It gives a new perspective to the thought “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in __________” Here is David hiding in these unbelievable caves and yet he cries out from the depths of his soul, it is better to take refuge in the Lord! Those rocks are so strong, and protective. That is why David was there after all. Yet, those rocks do not hold a candle to the strength, the power, nor the refuge that our God will provide for His children.

Here’s the crazy thing. Many of us turn towards our own caves, hideouts, tree forts or safe places when we enter into times of trouble. Can you say along with David, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in _____________”

I am learning to…

~Peter

In Faith in Real Life

Morning by morning… … …

May 14, 2008 No Comments

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