Can We Still Believe in God During Crisis?

In a recent conversation with a church member, they shared a miraculous healing that they said can only be attributed to divine intervention. This member was admitted to the hospital for a fatal brain bleed that lasted 23 days resulting in a coma. A University of Manchester featured article says, “Brain haemorrhages – or haemorrhagic strokes – are caused by bleeding in and around the brain. They are generally more severe than strokes caused by a blockage. Around one-third of patients don’t survive longer than a month, and many who survive have lifelong disabilities.”

A scan before his discharge did not show any sign of bleeding, and the medical team wondered why there was no trace of brain bleeding. His wife did not hesitate to tell them that this was a miracle of God.

Returning to work after his recovery, a colleague told him I am happy and angry with your situation. Not understanding what the colleague meant by that expression, he asked him to explain, to which he said, I am happy for you that God answered your prayers and healed you after suffering for 23 days from a brain bleed. However, I am angry that my brother, who had the same brain bleed for only two days, did not survive and died. That is why I made that statement.

It is tough enough to experience a personal crisis, but even more, complicated when we wonder why some people seem to get by with their situation while others are not.

Sometimes the tendency is to ask many questions, “why do we have to experience crisis despite our belief and dependence on God? We may even find ourselves pondering; I don’t deserve this pain. But a problem is not always a sign of wrongdoing on our part, nor is it a punishment.

How can I continue to believe in God when I am experiencing a crisis? The story of Job is incomparable to any situation any human has encountered. Jobs’ report provides insight into why we can only sometimes know why we face some troubles. Job’s story also reveals why the enemy uses crisis to distract us from God. Job’s report helps us to see the bigger picture of the unexplained crisis – the great controversy between God and Satan, good and evil.

Can crisis help you develop a closer relationship with God?

Crisis of various kinds will continue to remind us of the burden of sin. It will continue to challenge our belief in God; however, it always allows us to grow our faith. It may require us to remember that God never abandons those who trust Him. He asks us to “cast all our anxieties upon Him because He cares for you” [1 Peter 5:7]. With the assurance that “I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.” [Matthew 28:20]

Pastor Sam O Davies is the Communication and Media Director for the BUC