Three Signs of Spiritual Maturity Part 2 - Responding to Crisis

Three Signs of Spiritual Maturity Part 2 - Responding to Crisis

I remember the Sago Coal Mine disaster that filled hours of news channel discussions the first week of January this year (2006). Twelve bodies would eventually be pulled from that coal mine in the Appalachian Mountains. Tragedies like this and greater had happened days before and each week after this one around the world but two things made this one different. First, it was in our back yard. Second, and more important, was the fact that a false report came out during the rescue effort that the men were alive and they would be rescued. The family and friends back at the local Baptist church that had been in a prayer vigil for several days were leaping for joy and hugging each other. They would shout into the news cameras, “God answered our prayers!”

These same Christian men and women spoke of their faith in God to reporters when they first heard of the mine collapse. They would continue to proclaim that God was listening to their prayers and would protect the men in the mine. They gave God all the credit when they heard the report that the men in the mine would be saved. Then…

Then word came form the rescue sight. The report was premature. They could not verify that any men had been rescued or that any of them were alive. Hour after excruciating hour passed with no word. Jubilation turned to uncertainty and confusion. Uncertainty turned to anger. Then the news reached the crowd at the Baptist church – all the men were dead. The report of their rescue had been a terrible error and their family members were dead.

In an instant, cries of faith and trust in God – in an instant – turned to curses toward their God. One young man screamed for all the world to see and hear, “Why would God do this? Why!!! Why would He take our family? I can’t believe in a God that would do that!” He wept bitterly as he turned away from the camera. One after another, these self-proclaimed faithful followers of God turned from him as Peter did when he denied even knowing Christ three times to save his own skin.

I was saddened, shocked, and left empty inside. I do not doubt the extent of their grief. I understand loss. I understand what it feels like to lose a loved one. I have felt the same grief and even questioned God’s reasoning. But, what in their understanding of God caused these people to turn on God in such a dramatic way?

How do you respond to crisis or loss?

One of the most powerful responses to tragedy that I find in the Bible is that of Job in the midst of great trial, unimaginable loss and suffering. Job found out, as the family of the miners did, that he had just lost ALL of his sons and daughters when the house they were in collapsed. None survived. Job feeling grief as much or greater than the families of the miners responded in a very different way…

20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. (Job 1:20-22)

Job understood that we must praise God for both triumph and tragedy. We are so quick to take blessings from God many time without thanking Him and we are so quick to also curse God for the trials in our life. In everything, Job never charged God with wrongdoing!

How do you respond to crisis or loss?

The sign of a mature believer is the ability to praise God for blessing and for loss.

Carpe Deum! (Seize God!)
Todd Phillips
www.toddphillips.net

For those of you who are reading along with me in Colossians, here is the passage for this post:

Colossians 1:24-2:5
Paul’s Labor for the Church
24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
2 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.