The Christian Response to Crisis

We have all been alarmed by the horrific tragedy of loosing over 25 lives in Newtown,CT at a local elementary school. Our minds work overtime trying to find a reasonable explanation for such an unthinkable situation. Our hearts go out to the families of the deceased children and staff. What can we do during such a crisis?

• We must pray for the families who are experiencing very difficult pain and loss. Pray that the Lord will surround them with the right people who will help them grieve healthily.

• We must commit to educating parents and guardians within our own sphere of influence to cover their children in prayer each day.

• We must minister to children in a manner that causes them to understand the importance of having a relationship with Jesus Christ and to talk with Him daily.

• We must pray for city officials and school officials for wisdom to ensure such tragedies do not happen in other schools.

• We must be listening ears for persons who have no faith in God during these times of crisis. We must be the reflection of who Christ is with persons who have no faith in God.

• We must attend PTA (Parent & Teacher Association) meetings to ensure that we are all informed about the numerous concerns involving our school systems. This is important whether you have children or not.

• We must help our children in our churches all of the country to be little lighthouses of Christ's light everyday.

• We must respond to this crisis with love, wisdom and understanding that can only be obtained from Jesus Christ.

These are only a few steps that can be taken in the wake of tragedy that involves the lives of children. One of the final things I would ask all Christians and nonbelievers alike, please love on your children a little bit more. Spend quality time with them a little bit more. Cherish the priceless moments you have with the small packaged gifts God gives us through our children a little bit more.

Recovery In Sight!

Luke 15:17-22 (NIV)

¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

The pain of a man in the middle of a devastating failure is unbelievable. He cannot in his mind recover because he has lost so much ground. The enemy darkens his mind to believe that there is not hope beyond the stumbling block that he has walked into or created himself. What should he do? He should run to the Father. However, he is too embarrassed to run even to the father for fear of rejection. What he does not know or seem to understand is, the Father loves him unconditionally regardless of the failure or mistake.

My brother, failure in any area of your life can feel tragic and almost the end, but God has an everlasting love for you even in your darkest hour. He knows you. He knows your tendencies even better than you. He also knows the spiritual deficits that are in your walk with Him. He is more concern with helping you ensure that you do not find yourself in the same position again. There is forgiveness even after a great fall.

What does the Father require of you? He requires you to confess the failure with full disclosure to Him. I know, you say, “Well, if God already knows everything, why does He want me to confess it to Him?” He knows everything and He knows that you will get more benefit communicating the mistake to Him instead of holding out on Him. Tell the Lord that you are sorry for your sin. Yes, call it what it is. Don’t sugar coat it, just call it plain sin.

That’s actually the first step to recovery. Admitting that there is a weakness or struggle that causes you to sin against the will of God. Once you have confessed, then you need to find another Christian brother whom you can trust with your struggle. Don’t allow the enemy to convince you that you are ok. You are not! However, you will be ok once you begin the road to recovery in Christ.

Once you have confided in a good strong Christian brother, allow him to hold you accountable concerning your area of weakness. This may require prayer, fasting, and certainly reading the word of God to build up your spiritual man.

Don’t allow the spirit of guilt to overshadow the grace of God extended to you. By that same token, do not take the grace of God for granted. Use it sparingly.

Listen my brother! The process to recovery can be very slow, but if you are committed to the process, the process will be committed to your recovery. Whatever you do, do not give up. Recovery is in sight. The Father is waiting for your return.