Are We in Crisis or are We in Christ?

We are living in difficult times. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that this year…

crisis: a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger

That about sums up 2020. Crises affect individuals, families, communities, people groups, countries, and sometimes, the world. Its turbulence can last days, months, years; the ramifications can last decades. Some crises are avoidable, others aren’t. Sometimes we experience internal crises (depression, anxiety, etc.)*, other times the crises are external (natural disasters, job loss, injustice, a global pandemic, etc.). However, external crises often ignite internal ones when we are most vulnerable.

A few weeks back I recognized that I wasn’t feeling myself. Between the global pandemic, moving into a new home during quarantine, distance learning with my kids, navigating their emotions and mine, and the political, social, and economic climate of our country, I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. Aren’t we all? I was experiencing what I could only describe as a silent, internal crisis - a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger? Check, check, check. The true root of my crisis was the troublesome and dangerous part: spiritual warfare.

When was the last time I checked in with God? When was the last time I poured my heart out to Him? When was the last time I opened my Bible and meditated over Scripture? As I was growing weary from treading water in the middle of the crisis, a thought had occurred to me: had I really slipped back into apathy? Instead of drawing nearer to Him, I had my receiver off the hook, the dial tone keeping me from hearing His call. Somehow my daily pursuit of God had halted as the world’s troubles were hard-pressed against the walls of my heart. When that fortress is strong and ready for battle, we fight on our knees in prayer. However, when that fortress is in disrepair, cracked, and eroded after a time of neglect, a strong wave of turmoil can break through the walls into an unsuspecting and defenseless victim. Spiritual crisis casts a veil over our eyes so that we lose sight of our loving Father. Where before I had been intentional and persistent in fixing my eyes on Jesus, my mind was now elsewhere: passing the time on Facebook, binging yet another Netflix series, perusing Amazon, milling about my pantry - all in an effort to numb the intensity of the outside world. Have you been there before? Are you there now?

If we look around us, it’s obvious that we are not in Heaven; nothing about this world looks like Home. However, does that realization spur us to pursue Heaven, or are we too fixated on what we see in front of us?

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV)

How we perceive what is happening around us can be emotionally debilitating. There’s definitely a crisis or ten going on here, but what are those crises doing to our faith? Where is God in a crisis? How do we stay afloat? Fix our eyes on what is unseen…

The crippling effects of crises hold us captive if we are not centered in Christ.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-9

That treasure? That’s the Holy Spirit alive inside of us as we live in Christ. He allows us to stand tall in the middle of a battle with our feet firmly planted on the ground, unshakable. He gives us the strength to fight against trouble, danger, and difficult times. He also gives us little nudges that say, “Hey. Wake up. You fell asleep on me again.” Just like His disciples, I needed that wakeup call.

“Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter. ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’“ Matthew 26:40-41

To stay awake, I sought God. I cracked open my Bible and have been reading and rereading from James to 3 John. I have been more deliberate to pray throughout my day, meditating on Scripture and switching my focus on things above. A slight perspective shift helps me to see God in everything and to remember to give thanks to Him. I’ve also repented for giving in to my flesh, because how else do you respond when Jesus finds you asleep after He told you to keep watch? Since then, my head has cleared. I’ve laughed more, I’ve been more intentional with my children, I’ve been kinder to my family, I’ve been more productive, and I am at a healthier point to be able to encourage others. The weight has been lifted from my shoulders as God said, “Here, let me get that for you.” I feel the strengthening of my spirit through the work of the Holy Spirit.

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7

Every moment spent dwelling in crisis is a moment not spent living in Christ. We can count on Him to carry us (Isaiah 40:11), we can count on Him to pull us out of darkness (Colossians 1:13), and we can count on Him to fight our battles (Deuteronomy 20:4). Sister, wake up. God’s got this.

*If you are suffering from depression, anxiety, or other mental illness, please seek the help of a licensed professional. Some crises need a little teamwork.