SERIES: DEALING WITH CRISES
Devotion - The Bible And Crises Types
Yesterday, we were able to look at one of the four scholarly researched types of crises; accidental or Situational Crises which has to do with an event that's less or not expected. We saw this in the life of the religious man - Job who never knew of the debate that went on between God and Satan concerning his life. And we saw that many of us are in the position of Job too when we lost our loved ones, encounter new diseases, experience of rape and violence, social disturbance like war and killings etc. we become worried in the midst of these accidental crisis. But the consolation is that God is aware and He will take control of the situation.
Therefore this morning, we will consider the remaining three types of crises namely:
2. Developmental crises is an event that's mostly expected hence, creating a room for adjustment. Like moving to school, getting married, handling criticism, facing retirement, adjusting to declining health and staying alone when your children have all become adults, the death of one's friends can all be crises that demand new approaches to coping. Consider Abraham and Sarah, who coped with their unknown journey to an unknown destination but with a known God. Handling barrenness for years alongside criticism. We might also wonder how an elderly Zacharias and Elizabeth handled their unique son like John the Baptist, or how Mary and Joseph were able to raise their unusual and brilliant son, Jesus. It appears these were developmental crises leading to a turning point that demanded adjustment and a prolonged period of decision making that also led to increased growth.
3. Existential crises overlap the other two. These are situations that all of us face when we encounter disturbing truths, often about ourselves. For example, thinking about not getting married, not achieving your goals at old age, dealing with the thought of incurable illness, seeing that your life is complex, having no direction, facing the fact that you are now a widow or widower again.
Realizations like these take time and effort to assimilate. They are changes in self perception that can be denied temporarily, but in time they must be faced realistically if life is to go on and be fulfilling.
After a great spiritual victory, Elijah ran into the wilderness with a conclusion that his life is a failure. Jonah had similar thoughts as he debated with God. In the midst of his crises, Job must have wondered why all these crises were happening. Did the disciples also wonder about the uncertainty of their future in the hours following the crucifixion? The beautiful part of all these crises is that God is aware.
4. National or Community Crises extend beyond individuals to involve large groups of people. When a country is attacked by insurgency like we are experiencing in Nigeria currently. It affects everyone through the economy and health and other sectors. People can't go to the farm which has resulted in the hiking of prices of food. Public properties are being destroyed and young girls abducted. People are being killed everyday and it should be of concern to everyone in the Nation or community where this crisis is happening.
We shouldn't feel unbothered when others are being inflicted with pain, because it may get to our doorstep tomorrow. The terrorists are already in Kwara State, who knows if your State will be next.
In all of these, people wonder why? The truth is that crises may be as a result of disobedience against God's law by the leaders and the people like the nation of Israel. It could be the bad decision of the leaders like David. Though the Bible talks about all types of crises, it does not give clear and complete reasons to explain why crises occur. However, we may agree that every event has a divine purpose and ultimately is under God's control. We know that crises can be a learning experience that mold character, teach us about God and His resources, and stimulate sound growth. But the ultimate reasons for specific life crises may never be known, at least while we live on this earth.
It is my earnest prayer that God will help us to trust in Him in our crises time in Jesus' name. Amen!

Oghenevwede Arison, Ubiuku
Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a Faith-based Christian Counselor.
oghenevwedeubiuku@gmail.com
+2348050470484 (Whatsapp)