Financial Discipleship - the Bible on Crisisনমুনা

“Everything happens for a reason.” “God does not give you more than you can bear.” You may be familiar with these phrases. Maybe you’ve heard them more than you care to count. But if you’ve gone through a “storm” in your life, maybe you had a hard time believing these statements.

When you’re in the middle of a crisis (or even the beginning or end), it’s difficult to believe these words, but God has promised never to leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

He didn’t say He would make it easy. But He said He would make a way. Even when there seems to be no way.

It may take a very long time to believe that. To not scoff whenever you hear “everything happens for a reason.” To not ask: Can I bear this? But eventually, we know it to be true.

Our crises look different for each of us. But the Lord’s care is the same.

He is with us. And He lives in us. We were made in His image. Don’t walk through the storm on your own. People are in our lives for a reason. During the crisis is not the time to turn away from them. It’s the time to turn to them. And it’s the time for them to turn to you when they’re in need.

When it comes to faithfulness, we can’t help but see how much of a Parent the Lord is. He tells us to spread our portion across seven or even eight (Ecclesiastes 11:2), for we don’t know the troubles ahead. He tells us to owe no one anything, except to love them (Romans 13:8), and not to fall as a servant to the lender (Proverbs 22:7).

Being His children, sometimes we think that doing what He says means no harm will come to us. But if we look back at Ecclesiastes 11:2, we see He does not say that. “For you do not know what evil will be on earth.” Evil will be here. We just can’t predict it.

His instructions for us aren’t to say that we can kick back and relax. No. He wants us to be prepared to get through the trying times when they come (Proverbs 27:12). He wants us to be prepared to travel through the storm.

It’s like a hurricane. If you have enough gas and food, shutters or hurricane-proof doors installed and batteries, will the storm disappear before it gets to you?

The storm is still going to come. And yes, it may cause a disaster. But what would the disaster be, had you not prepared first?

If you have faced or are facing a crisis, know that you wouldn’t be who you are, if not for it. Whatever happens to us and the people around us, the trials we face, the setbacks we’re dealt… they are meant to be turned for good and to bring glory to His name.

Take a look around. What can you turn around for good? Because He is with you. And He is for you.

(excerpt taken from The Bible on Money, Compass-finances God's way, 2022)