My family and I have walked through crisis after crisis over the years. Cancer diagnosis, near-death experiences, and the loss of loved ones to name a few. At times, a new crisis would arrive before the previous one ended. Through it all, we learned how to stand on God’s truth in times of crisis.

This experience is how we walked through a major life crisis at the same time as my husband was walking through a cancer diagnosis and ongoing treatment.

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“Surely I’m in a dream. This is too surreal to be true,” I thought, as I looked for any signal that life as I knew it had not just changed faster than I could blink back the tears.

But a dream it was not, even though it felt like I had woken up that morning to walk into my very own version of a real-life nightmare and no alarm to signal its welcomed end.

What started off as a normal day quickly turned into one leaving me breathless, and in search of answers to unthinkable questions.

Where was God?

It left me crying out, “God where are you?”

“God, don’t you care? You could have prevented this or at least protected me from it.”

My family was already going through a crisis with my husband’s recent diagnosis and ongoing treatment for cancer when the latest tsunami of instability rocked the foundation of our daily lives.

I could not fathom how we were going to get through this newest trial, or why God had allowed it when we were still wrestling with the cancer and its impact on our family.

In one moment, I possessed the utmost confidence that we would make it through this challenge successfully, just like we have made it through every other trial we’ve ever encountered, with God’s help. We just didn’t have God’s map and the game plan yet.

 

 

Yet, the next moment I wavered and was fearful of all the uncertainties and an unknown future; afraid of everything I couldn’t see and had even less control of.

Within a few moments, I also experienced some intermittent anger because God hadn’t done what I thought He could have or should have. “Really, God? Couldn’t you have just given us a brief period of respite to catch our breath before the next wave dragged us under?”

I felt like a female version of a magic-8 ball, with my emotions and responses as capricious as the shake of a ball.

Even my husband, the most optimistic person I know was taken aback when he walked in at the end of the day and proclaimed, “Today stunk! BUT, it will be redeemed!”

Borrowing HOPE

He offered what I needed at that moment: HOPE. I was normally the “Hope-Girl,” or as some have referred to me, “Dr. Hope.” But for a brief period of time, I was overcome by grief and needed to borrow my husband’s hope. I knew in my heart that hope prevails, but I needed to borrow his hope while the Lord strengthened my resolve.

As word of our crisis began to spread among our close, praying friends, the question was repeatedly posed: “What are you going to do?”

 

 

The thing about when a crisis hits is that so often, little is in your control and you don’t plan them, but rather, you react to them. Scripture says, “The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9 NASB).

Together my husband and I decided that we would:

• Pray for wisdom and direction.
• Not react in fear, but instead follow God’s lead.
• Stand on truth rather than rely on our feelings.

6 truths to stand on in times of crises

Here’s what we know to be true.

We knew God’s word was true and we stood firm and immovable on these 6 truths:

1. The truth is God was there all along and He knew what was going to happen before it happened, as well as how He would provide for the solution. (Philippians 4:19)
2. The truth is that He is for us and not against us. (Romans 8:31)
3. The truth is that He DOES care, He loves us with an everlasting love, and His mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:23)
4. The truth is that He has always been faithful in the past, and He will be faithful again. (1 Corinthians 1:9)
5. The truth is that He knows the plans He has for us and those plans are good, and they are to prosper us and not to harm. (Jeremiah 29:11)
6. The truth is that what the enemy intended for harm, God said He would use for our good. (Genesis 50:20)

We may not have all the answers in times of crisis, but we can trust in the One who does. We can take God at His word and stand on His promises and truths. His word brings peace in the midst of crises.

What do you need to stand on truth for today?

Because of Him, #HopePrevails!

 

 

Even in times of crisis, every day can be a good day when you trust the promises of God.

Today is Going to be a Good Day

Now Available!

My newest book, Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right is now available!

This uplifting devotional helps you make each day a good day no matter what is going on in your life.

When life conspires to drag us down with all of its troubles, it can be hard to keep our spirits up. In times of severe illness and depression, I learned that when I stand on God’s promises, despite my circumstances, every day can be a good day.

Each reading includes Scripture, reflection, prayer, and a recommended playlist song designed to help you live out Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”

 

 

For more information on the book visit: Today is Going to be a Good Day Book.