CRISIS FROM HAITI TO HERE

Crisis is...
Natural Disaster...Financial Disaster...Personal Disaster...
Emotional Disaster...Medical Disaster...
Death...Sickness...Abuse...Divorce...Crime

Crisis is the work of the enemy.

Answers.com defines Crisis as:

1. 1. A crucial or decisive point or situation; a turning point.
   2. An unstable condition, as in political, social, or economic affairs, involving an impending abrupt or decisive change.
2. A sudden change in the course of a disease or fever, toward either improvement or deterioration.
3. An emotionally stressful event or traumatic change in a person's life.

The opposite of crisis according to Answers.com is
"calm, peace".

A friend of mine brought up this topic recently during a women's gathering because many of the people in our group and around us are in crisis. Haiti is in crisis because of an earthquake. Many people are in financial crisis because of the economy. An older couple I know had to recently move into assisted living. Two of my neighbors have had a death in their family plus my own family had a death. Several people I know, are dealing with emotional crisis including my own son and my family.

God doesn't tell us that life will be a bed of roses. In fact, he made it clear that in the world we will have trouble...but not to give up...

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

John 16:33 (NI V)

What about you? Are you in crisis? Have you told anyone about your crisis? Asking for help does not make you a failure. How can people help you if you don't ask or at least tell someone you trust about your crisis?

Do you know someone who is in crisis? What can you do to help them? Most people aren't looking for you to solve their problems, they really just want someone to listen to them. Take time to talk and listen and find out what the need is and then ask God to guide you to your next step. Sometimes what your friend in crisis needs is a break from the crisis. Offer to watch their kids so they can take a break. Invite them to dinner or out for coffee. A close friend kept my kids for the weekend to give me a break from my crisis. In turn, my husband and I invited a man from our church who has no job and never really gets to go anywhere, to ride along with us to pick up our kids. We didn't talk about our problems, we just enjoyed each others' company.

Maybe what your friend in crisis needs is help finding resources to help them. Offer time on your computer, brainstorm with them, make phone calls to find out what options are available for them.

Maybe you can send money to support the Haiti relief. Maybe you are able to volunteer to go to Haiti and help out. Maybe you can organize some sort of relief effort in your home town to help victims of natural disasters. Maybe all you can do is pray for them. Prayer is something we all can do for each other. There is a higher power who knows no boundries.

Nothing is Impossible for God!

INDESCRIBABLE

Well, it’s been a while since I used my “pen” to process difficult stuff in my life, yet here I am in a really tough place. My husband and I, along with a wonderful Christian therapist, are helping our teenage son heal from sexual abuse that has been locked away in his past. He is doing really well, but the fallout from this kind of abuse is very deep, multilayered and complicated by characteristics associated with Asperger Syndrome, which means his perception of reality isn’t always accurate.

I am happy to say that I don’t feel like I am “in this tough place AGAIN”. I used to think “why me?” “Why do crummy things always happen to me?” I used to feel like God was punishing me or that I was punishing myself for disobedient spiritual behavior. I do not think like that anymore.

I AM FREE!

I am free from the guilt trip and self bashing. I am free to embrace my hurt and pain and receive God’s love through it. It is a totally different mind set and perspective to my situation.

There IS hope.

There IS love.

There IS direction.

No, the problem hasn’t gone away, on the contrary, it seems to be getting worse, yet I feel God’s love and power stronger than ever. I don’t feel out of control even though I have no control over this horrific problem.

There is no despair,

only COMFORT for the pain…yes there is still pain.

There is no anxiety of hopelessness,

only ASSURANCE that answers will come and JOY will return.

This is the most incredible state of being I have ever been in.

My pain is real.

My hurt is huge.

And yes, I have cried about it and feel sorrow,

BUT

God has flooded my heart with

INDESCRIBABLE LOVE.

COMFORT and

OVERWHELMING PEACE.

Friends, what is your relationship with God like? When you are totally surrendered to him, Satan has no hold on you. It doesn't mean your problems will go away. On the contrary, they may increase, however, you will not feel defeated or beat down. You will be strong and empowered...but not because of anything you do. All because of the power of the Holy Spirit. Anyone can have this peace that passes all understanding, God makes it available to everyone who seeks it and claims it.

Seize it!

"For God shows no partiality."

Romans 2:11 (ESV)

(Bible Gateway.com)