What is your response when you face a difficult situation? Crises can seem overwhelming. How did King David respond when he faced a life and death situation? What should be our response when we face a crisis? Let’s see how King David responded when he faced a life and death situation. David assessed the situation and acknowledged his fear:

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. (Psalm 56:4)

David did not deny his emotions, he realized the dangers he faced. There may be situations that if you’re not afraid, then you don’t truly understand the situation. We however, don’t need to be enslaved to our fears. Let’s examine David’s strategy for overcoming a threatening crisis.

David started with prayer. What is your default response when you’re facing a difficult situation? Are you more focused on the problem or on God who can solve the problem? The Apostle Paul gave this helpful prescription to the church at Phillipi:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

You may be thinking, “How can I not be anxious?” Paul declared that you can have peace in the midst of the storm. Prayer takes our focus off the problem and puts it on God and enables us to gain God’s perspective. When fear becomes our dominant emotion, then we start acting and thinking irrationally. Paul encouraged Timothy, with these words:

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

David also found confidence and perspective in God’s word:

In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? (Psalm 56:4)

David declared that he would not give in to his fears. This disciples of Jesus were fearful of His forthcoming departure, but Jesus prepared them for the impending crisis:

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

We don’t like tribulation, but this world is filled with difficulties and challenges. Notice that Jesus said that if we are in Him that we may have peace. Our response therefore is to trust in God so we can bring encouragement and hope to others.

Stay close to God so that you can show His light to those who may be in the darkness. This is an opportunity for your faith to shine forth – anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm, but the true test of our faith is when times are difficult. Our faith is revealed in times of adversity.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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