How to Be Calm in Any Crisis

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) 

You can be brave in the midst of any trial because the Lord is with you, even now, even when the unimaginable has happened in your life. Your crisis may involve a frightening diagnosis, the pain of divorce, or any other unexpected life-shattering situation. No matter what you are battling, fear is often the real enemy in your fight. Throughout Scripture, God continually reassures us not to fear. Here is a lifeline of truth: “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).   You can face this crisis with confidence, knowing that the Lord will empower you and provide for you in the midst of it.            

Be Brave: Lamentations 3:57, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 41:13

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“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:5-7)

Every trial I have encountered has required a generous measure of wisdom. When you are faced with making decisions that will greatly impact your life and the lives of your loved ones, asking God for His wisdom to guide you is paramount. But we must ask expectantly, believing that God will answer. He is not a father who turns a deaf ear to our cries for help. God will always answer us. Having the Lord’s wisdom guide me has enabled me to have great peace in spite of great uncertainty. Remember that His thoughts are higher than ours, and He loves us enough to grant us the wisdom we seek when we ask Him expectantly (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Be Expectant: Psalm 27:13-14, Romans 12:11-12,  Isaiah 40:31 AMP

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“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34). 

One of the greatest blessings of living with health issues is that I have had to be diligent to discipline my thoughts. It is fruitless for me to worry about my illnesses causing future suffering. Thoughts like this have no place in my life. When my mind strays into fearful thinking, I stop myself by remembering God has given me the grace I need for this moment, and He will provide the grace I need in the future. God’s grace will always be enough for you in the midst of any trial you may endure (2 Corinthians 12:9). Thanking God for the blessings He is giving you right now, today, will guard you against borrowing trouble from tomorrow. 

Be Present: Psalm 46:1, Psalm 145:15-16, and Matthew 6:11

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“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:30-31)

There is nothing more draining or demanding than enduring hardship after hardship. Sometimes you may wonder if you have the strength to keep going. You may have even thought, “If one more thing happens to me, I will give up!” But did you know that finding new strength is tied to where you place your hope? When you hope in God, instead of in your circumstances, He will give you the strength to endure. 

You can hope in the Lord by recognizing His benefits, and trusting that your trials are momentary in light of eternity. Recognize that God loves you and will care for you in the midst of any situation. Remember that both your body and your soul gain strength when you rest. So if you need to renew your strength, you may want to remember this verse: “Find rest in God alone, O my soul, for my hope comes from Him” (Psalm 62:5).   

Be Renewed: 2 Corinthians 4:16-17, Psalm 23:1-3, Psalm 103:2-5

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“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms… Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:10,12)

You may have read Peter’s admonition that we are to use our gifts to serve others, but are you surprised to learn he was writing this to a church body that was suffering through many trials? There is a popular notion in today’s world that says when we are faced with hardship, we should think only of ourselves. “Don’t worry about me,” friends may say, “you have enough to worry about.” 

But that attitude deprives us of the opportunity to be a blessing to others. When we are in a crisis, or even an extended time of trial, we will still be presented with opportunities to serve one another. Ask God to show you how you can bless someone by using the gifts He has given you. The joy you receive from blessing others might surprise you! 

Be A blessing: Galatians 6:2, Galatians 6:9-10, and Hebrews 6:10-12

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) 

This is one of my favorite lifelines. I do not know the reasons God has allowed my family to suffer various tragedies, but I do not need to understand. If I lean on my own limited understanding, I will topple every time. We can trust that if God has allowed the trials we are facing, as difficult and insurmountable as they may seem, He has a purpose for them and will guide us through them. Remember that we must yield to God before we can produce a yield for God. 

Be Yielded: Hebrews 12:9, Matthew 12:23, 1 Peter 5:6 

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“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…” (Hebrews 10:25)

I have found that people generally respond with offers of help when an emergency arises. The days following a crisis are often met with a flood of visitors with casseroles. As the days move into weeks, the initial show of support can slow to a trickle whether you need it or not. When you have an ongoing crisis, such a chronic health issue, isolation can become your new normal. But it does not need to be this way! 

God created us to live in community, so if you are feeling the pain of isolation, ask Him to show you a path towards fellowship. If you are homebound, let others know that you would like them to visit. But if you are able to attend a Bible study or church service in person, I encourage you to do so. God designed us to be a part of a body of believers. We need one another. Do not allow your suffering to isolate you. Reach out and ask for help if you need it; sometimes people want to help but do not know how to approach someone who is in crisis. Allow them the blessing of serving you during your time of need. 

Be in community: Matthew 18:20, Ecclesiastes 4:10 NLT, 1 John 4:11

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7) 

When I indulge wayward thoughts by dwelling on the “what-ifs” and the “worst-case scenarios” about a difficult situation, anxiety grows to become a towering giant. Goliath-sized apprehension may seem unconquerable, but carefully chosen truth from God’s Word will always demolish it. Anxiety weighs down your heart, but a kind or encouraging word cheers it up (Proverbs 12:25). So let your heart be lifted by the fullness of God’s word. 

For instance, do you pray and tell God your requests but still feel overwrought by anxiety? Then do not forget to pray with thanksgiving! The root of your anxiety may be an unwillingness to trust Him that only thanksgiving can conquer. I have discovered when I am filled with anxiety about a loved one, it is often because I mistakenly believe that my desires for their lives are better than God’s plan for them. When I begin to pray with thanksgiving, I am reminded of the goodness and sovereignty of the Lord. Praying with thanksgiving brings peace.

Be Not anxious: 1 Peter 5:7, Psalms 139:23, Psalm 94:19, Psalm 131-2

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“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) 

It is possible to be heart-broken about a situation but still give thanks to God in the midst of it. Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice.” Rejoice in the Lord by voicing your gratitude for His provision in your life. Discipline yourself to recognize His goodness, love, and blessings even in the midst of difficult circumstances. As you obey God’s word by giving thanks in all circumstances, you will begin to see your situation through eyes of faith. Rejoice in the Lord to safeguard your heart against hopelessness and despair. A thankful heart becomes the soil in which God’s peace can flourish. Try it and see.

Be Grateful: Colossians 2:7, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 12:28

Andrea Herzer has endured 17 years of multiple illnesses, including Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, and is intimately acquainted with the hardships that accompany debilitating health issues. She writes devotionals for her Facebook Group (www.facebook.com/groups/lifeforillness) and she is writing her first book, The Way Through Illness, to help others find the pathway to living an abundant life in the midst of pain and suffering.

Andrea lives in Texas with her remarkable husband, Mark. They have three nearly grown children, Carly, Sarah, and Zach. She can be reached here for speaking engagements or interest in her book proposal.

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