KINGDOM WAYS TO RESPOND TO CRISIS & FEAR

There is a lot facing our cities, our country, and the world today. Like many of you, I have been watching and praying as the global pandemic that is COVID-19 and some of the social justice issues around systemic racism have reared their ugly heads. The challenges and concerns that have arisen have not been easy. And if you’re like me at all, the weight of it all feels more prevalent than before. For many, it can be easy to partner with panic and fear.
 
The truth is this: Fear is not from God. And panic doesn’t motivate our faith. 
In seasons of great challenge, the character of God’s people is revealed. So how do we navigate these seasons of crisis and fear? Today, I share five ways to respond in times of crisis and fear and to encourage you in your leadership right where you’re at.

1. Seek wisdom how to act — True wisdom brings peace.

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17)

In a time where there is chaos and lots of moving parts and pieces, we need wisdom. The GOOD NEWS James tells us, is that, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (Jas. 1:5). In other words, if we don’t have the answers, we don’t know what to do, or how to feel about our situations and circumstances, we can ask God who gives generously!

Yes, we are facing real issues, with real people, and real emotions involved, and we don’t want to downplay it — but we also don’t want FEAR to rule our hearts and minds. We want PEACE to rule our hearts and minds! So let us be a people who seek wisdom saturated in peace, which can’t be manufactured!

2. Do not be anxious — Faith is not believing in God, its believing God.

The call of the gospel is that we come to God, we give our lives to God, he restores us and makes us whole, we live like we’ve been transformed (because we have). But many of us stop at “giving our lives to God”.

For many, we wrestle with God and claim faith in God, but we never really come to believe God. Why is that? Cause we haven’t let him do what only he can do — restore us, make us whole, and transform our lives.

Want to know why you’re so anxious? Why fear permeates over faith? I’d suggest that in large part, your faith is centered on believing in God, not on believing God. The difference is that when you believe in God, we start DOING what he says and BELIEVING what he says. To move from believing in to believing on is centered in our relationship with God.

Here’s the truth: Anxiety doesn’t produce hope. And anything that is influencing you that doesn’t produce hope, is under the influence of a lie. Live in peace, not in fear — The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you and is with you!

3. Grieve and respond differently — We have hope!

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

It’s okay to feel a sense of grief in this time and season. But if the grief and troublesome you feel is ruling your heart and mind, it’s become an idol and a distraction. But we have hope in Jesus!

How can you lean in and take a step towards reviving hope in your life this week? In what ways can the influence of hope saturate your life as you grieve and respond to the world around you?

4. Don't grow weary in doing good - ENDURE!

How are you really doing? As you read this and pause, taking into account what’s on your plate, resonating in your heart, and happening in the world around you, you might begin to conclude that the call on your life carries weight! And numerous are the sources that can influence the heaviness of that weight. Many things we cannot control. But we can control what we allow to shape and influence us.

Paul reminds us to not, “become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9) There are seasons that are seemingly more wearisome than others. There are challenges and situations that may shape our potential to be ruled by weariness. But with proper motivation, we can endure.

Don’t you dare be tempted to tire out! Don’t become weary in doing good! Don’t give up! Don’t retreat! ENDURE!

5. Live in peace, not in fear — The Holy Spirit lives in you and is with you!

Remember… YOU are the CHURCH! Wherever you go, you bring heaven with you. The church doesn’t close or waiver because crisis comes. The church goes and shows up because we delight in loving our neighbor and seeing heaven come wherever we go! Why? Because the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, is the same who lives in you and me (see Romans 8:11)!

I know for many, this season can feel challenging, stressful, and overwhelming (to say the least). It can feel like there are more questions than answers, more worries than confidence, more anxiety than peace. But I want to encourage you. We will get through it! God is still on the throne. He CAN be trusted! He has Kingdom solutions to worldly challenges.

Your leadership to your family, your team, and your community is not a mistake. Don’t grow weary in doing good. Don’t give up leading well. Keep going!

KINGDOM WAYS TO RESPOND TO CRISIS & FEAR

1. Seek wisdom how to act — True wisdom brings peace.

2. Do not be anxious — Faith is not believing in God, its believing God.

3. Grieve and respond differently — We have hope!

4. Don't grow weary in doing good - ENDURE!

5. Live in peace, not in fear — The Holy Spirit lives in you and is with you!

CONTACT JOSH

Hey There!

I'd love to connect with you!