Connecting with God in a Crisis

(Sermon notes from Pastor Michael's message, preached on June 3 and 10.)

In this message I talked about how to connect with God in a crisis based on the story of Job. From Job’s life and his response to losing everything, we learn the four things to do.

1. When you face a tragedy the first thing that you do is tell God how you feel.

Tell God all your 1) anger, 2) grief, 3) shock or disbelief, and 4) anxiety or fear. Although Job questioned God’s actions – “Why did You allow this?” – he never stopped trusting God.  

After you tell God how you feel...

2.  You praise God in spite of the circumstances.

Job 1:21-22“I was born with nothing and I will die with nothing. The Lord gave and now the Lord has taken away.  May His name be praised.  In spite of everythingthat has happened job did not sin by blaming God.” 

What you can praise God for:

·     That He is a good & loving God     Job 10:12

·     That He is all-powerful     Job 36:22,  37:5,23

·     That He notices every detail of my life    Job 23:10, 31:4

·     That He is in control      Job 34:13

·     That He has a plan for my life    Job 23:14

·     That He will protect me        Job 5:11

A third way we can connect to God in a crisis is . . . 

3.  You ask God for strength and help.  

And fourth . . .

4.  Keep focused on God and His promises.

The Bible says this in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18  Therefore, we do not lose heart for our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we will fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen.  For what is seen [the tragedy] is temporary.  But what is unseen is eternal.”  In this passage it gives us the three reasons we don’t get discouraged, the three reasons we do not lose heart. 

         1.  We know that all troubles are temporary.  They don’t last.

         2.  We know that God is using them for a greater eternal purpose. 

         3.  We are keeping our eyes on God. 

Your life may have been shaken to its foundations.  But the sovereignty of God cannot be shaken.  It is unshakable.  Jesus said this in John 16:33 “By trusting Me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace.  In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties.  Count on it! But take heart!  I have conquered the world.”  

Make Christ the foundation of your life today and every day.