The power of faith in times of crisis

"the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Exodus 34:6

When facing a crisis, it may feel like God has left us. When this happens to you, do not rely on your feelings, which are not reliable, but rather on the fact that God is always there for us.

This week, I visited someone who shared the story of her challenging life. She had lived a long life and had experienced much disappointment and pain. At one point, she lost both her job and her home, leaving her with few possessions and an uncertain future, living with family. The lowest period was when her partner was seriously injured in an accident, and she became his full-time carer before he sadly died. Despite everything she has endured, she has not become bitter. Instead, she reflected that throughout every trial, God has remained with her, giving her the strength and support she needed and hope to keep going.

Stories like this abound in the Bible. There are accounts where trouble, loss and failure do not mean God has become distant; rather, God is revealed walking alongside, step by step. The book of Ruth opens with Naomi experiencing deep grief, having lost both her husband and sons in a foreign land. Ruth, her daughter-in-law, leaves her homeland with her mother-in-law to journey to Israel. Together, these two widows find themselves destitute and desperate until hope comes in the form of a stranger whom Ruth eventually marries. The story ends with the joy of a child, who became the grandfather of King David, making Ruth an ancestor of Jesus. Through this story of redemption, God shows how He weaves bad circumstances into good outcomes. As stated in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”.

When you go through hard times, remember you can always find hope when you turn to God. He is always with you. Jesus understands your pain because he himself suffered. Pray to God for help and hope. To be your anchor in whatever storm life throws at you.