Practical Steps to Respond Godly

Crisis Management for the Believer: Practical Steps to Respond Godly in Crisis

How do we respond in crisis? Today, the series Crisis Management for the Believer continues. We began this journey by turning to the Apostle Paul’s words in 2 Thessalonians 2:15: “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.” In that first post, we unpacked two vital steps to persevere in trials. First, we must stand firm in what we know – those bedrock truths of God’s Word that anchor us when false teachers, empty belief systems, and fleeting hopes swirl around us. Second, we must hold fast to the traditions we’ve been taught, obeying practical steps that keep us steady in the storm. We called these simply: (1) Remember key principles and (2) Obey practical steps. We explored over many posts the importance of remembering key truths: God’s sovereignty, His purposes in our trials, His intimate care for us, and His desire for our growth into the likeness of Christ. These principles are like an anchor in the roughest waters – unseen beneath the surface, but holding us steady when the swells threaten to sweep us away. Now, as we launch into the second half of this series, we zero in on that second step – practical steps to respond godly.

Truth Demands a Response

Knowing these truths, as critical as that is, is not the whole story. Truth demands a response. The waves do not stop crashing just because we remember God is in control; the wind does not die down simply because we reminded ourselves God loves us. Life’s crises – whether they are financial hardships, health struggles, relational fractures, or spiritual droughts – require us to act, that is, to move forward in faith.

In this second half of the series, we shift our focus to the practical steps God’s Word provides us to respond godly when the surge hits. These are not just good ideas or self-help tips; they are biblical, actionable ways to live out the principles we have learned to enable us to persevere with hope and reflect Christ in the midst of the storm, crises, or chaos of daily living.

The practical steps we begin to unpack are not a formula to make the crisis disappear. God’s purposes often unfold right in the middle of the mess, not on the other side of it. Instead, these steps are about helping us respond to the crises in ways align our hearts, minds, and hands with God’s plan and will such that we can endure well. God promises that He provides us strength to do what we should do and say what we should say. In other words, we have the privilege and the responsibility to respond in a God-honoring way when in a crisis. The hope is that we go through the trial not just intact, but stronger, more faithful, and more like Jesus. Let us preview what is ahead and set the stage for the days to come.

A Glimpse of the Path Ahead

In the coming days, we will consider and explore practical ways to hold fast. These steps build on the principles we have already considered and show us how to begin to live them out. Here is a glimpse of what we will cover:

We will explore each of these practical steps with appropriate texts to help us understand it and practical ways to live it out. The goal is not just to tell you what to do, but to show you how – and, more importantly, to point you to why it matters in light of God’s unchanging character.

Why Practical Steps Matter

You might be wondering: Why the emphasis on doing something? Isn’t faith enough? Fair question. Faith is the bedrock – without it, we will sink. But faith is not passive. James reminds us that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). When the Apostle Paul urged believers to “stand firm” and “hold fast” (2 Thessalonians 2:15), he was not calling them to a stagnant, hands-in-pockets kind of trust. Instead, he was calling them to an active, engaged faith – one that prays, seeks, serves, and clings to God’s promises even when the boat is rocking.

Think of it like this: the principles we covered in the first half of this series are the compass—they tell us where true north is. These practical steps are the oars—they help us row toward it. Together, they keep us from drifting aimlessly or capsizing under the weight of the storm.

An Invitation to Read Along and Persevere

As we embark on this second half, I want to invite you into the process. Maybe you are in a crisis right now – whitecaps crashing, wind howling. Or maybe you are in a season of calm, but you know the ripples could start any day. Wherever you are, these steps are for you. They are not about mustering up your own strength; they are about leaning into the strength God supplies (2 Peter 1:3). Over the coming days, we will walk through each one together, unpacking the Scriptures, wrestling with the challenges, and finding real ways to put them into practice. The waves may not stop, but God’s grace is deeper than the sea, and His Word is a steady hand on the helm. Together, we can learn how to respond – not just to survive the crisis, but to respond to it and in it for God’s glory.

 

Main Page for this Series: Crisis Management for the Believer

Previous Post: When You Are at Your Wits’ End

 

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