Explore the Bible Series for March 16: Growing spiritually through crisis

Posted: 3/04/08

Explore the Bible Series for March 16

Growing spiritually through crisis

• Genesis 32:6-12, 24-31

By Donald Raney

First Baptist Church, Petersburg

Life is unpredictable. No matter how much we might plan, our best-paid plans often are thrown out by a crisis situation which arises unexpectedly. While the severity of the crisis may vary, most often our initial response is fear and anxiety over our perceived ability to overcome the situation and return to “normal.”

After the initial shock is dispelled, many turn to anger and complain about the inconvenience or the way their schedule has been disrupted. Some simply decide to “grin and bear it;” determined to struggle through the circumstances in their own strength. Still others decide they simply cannot handle it and collapse into despair.

Common to all of these responses is the perspective that the crisis situation is exclusively negative. Yet it often is within the unexpected crises of life that we can experience the most significant spiritual growth. It simply depends on how we choose to respond.

Throughout his life, Jacob experienced a number of crisis situations—times that called for confrontation. Perhaps the clearest example of this was when he prepared to return home after years running from his brother knowing that returning meant he would have to face Esau. As we study his story, we can learn several important lessons about how we might grow spiritually through crisis.

Use common sense (Genesis 32:6-8)

As Jacob approached his family home, he sent delegates to meet Esau and determine his intent. When they returned with word that Esau was coming with 400 men, Jacob naturally assumed Esau intended to attack or capture Jacob and his party. Acting out of common sense, he divided all he had so if Esau did attack, half of his party would escape.

God has given us many different gifts which enable us to navigate through life during the good and rough times. One of those gifts is what we often refer to as “common sense.” Common sense is that understanding of how the world works which we develop as we grow and experience life. It helps us to anticipate problems and try to avoid them. It helps us to almost instinctively know what to do in a given situation.

All of us have some level of common sense. Yet often when believers experience times of crisis, we can underappreciate or fail to trust our common sense in responding. We may see it as too much a part of the flesh and seek a more “spiritual” response to the circumstances. Instead of taking action when it is needed, we can choose to wait and pray about the situation, perhaps allowing the situation to worsen. While we should always have a daily habit of prayer, we also should trust the common sense which God has developed within us and respond to crisis with action.

Pray (Genesis 32:9-12)

While Jacob did act out of the common sense he had developed over the years, he also had learned his continued survival always had been the result of God acting on his behalf. Thus once he had secured his family and belongings, he turned to God in prayer. Notice that his prayer was not simply, “Lord, help me.” He specifically called to mind God’s promises to him and the fact that he was following God’s call to return home. He believed God would fulfill his promises and that confidence allowed Jacob to approach God boldly.

For a committed believer, there is perhaps no more automatic response to a crisis situation than to pray. In the face of intense crisis, even nonbelievers almost instinctively turn to prayer. How many stories have we heard of so-called “foxhole confessions” where a soldier in the midst of combat will make all kinds of promises to God if God will allow them to survive.

Prayer is indeed a vital part of any relationship with God. When crisis hits, we can only see our immediate circumstances in light of what we see as our resources for handling the situation. But God can see the true severity of the situation and how it fits into the larger picture.

For believers, God also has promised that nothing will touch us that does not come through God first, and God will never allow us to be utterly crushed by circumstances. Therefore as we call out to God in the midst of our crisis, we can do so on the basis of his promises to us knowing God always is faithful to uphold his word to us.

Learn from God (Genesis 32:24-31)

After he had prayed, Jacob continued to act to protect his family and to try and defuse Esau’s anger. He sent all of his family and belongings ahead across the river while he remained behind. He knew this would be the last night before his confrontation with his brother, and he no doubt continued to cry out to God.

During the night, a mysterious figure came and wrestled with Jacob. There is much debate concerning the identity of this figure. The point of the story is not the identity of the assailant, but the life-changing character of the encounter. Jacob leaves the confrontation with a new name and a reminder that his real struggle was in his relationship to God. Jacob to come to realize that God’s approval comes only when stopped striving and humbly cling only to God.

Often when we face times of crisis, we are tempted to think the answer is in making changes or struggling to get ourselves out of the situation. But most often the real issue is not in the outward circumstances, but within our own hearts. Sometimes the point of the crisis is to teach us to stop struggling and learn to more fully trust God. Our circumstances often are the most effective tools God has to teach us what he wants us to learn. The question is whether we will see our crisis as an opportunity to learn from God.