As we continue to unpack practical, godly responses to life’s storms, we further delve into the second half of our Crisis Management for the Believer series (you can catch up here if you are new to this series or you have missed anything). So far, we’ve seen how prayer anchors us, serving others shifts our focus, and giving thanks reframes our hearts. Today, we take a fourth step: getting alone with God’s Word. In the swirl of a crisis, this might feel like a luxury you cannot afford – but it is a necessity you cannot neglect. Scripture is our spiritual lifeline, and, in the midst of the crisis, we need it more than ever. Let us explore why and how to get alone and read God’s Word for the help we desperately need.

The Psalmist puts it this way: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps 119:105). In the darkness of a crisis, God’s Word cuts through the fog, offering hope, instruction, and purpose. As a light to our path, the Bible points the way with purpose and long-term insight. As a lamp to our feet, the Word of God helps us with next steps. In the metaphor of a navigational crisis, the Bible provides that light on shore to which we strive to go, while helping us know what to do in the boat to stay afloat right now. Yet, it is easy to miss this. When things are swirling all around us, how do we step away from the chaos and into God’s truth? Let us think it through together.

The Swirl of Crisis

In the middle of a crisis – whether it is personal, like a diagnosis, or public, like a hurricane or a 9/11-scale event – life gets loud. The swirl around us pulls us in. Maybe it is the 24/7 news cycle, replaying every update until you are glued to the screen. Maybe it is the chatter of opinions, the weight of decisions, or the endless to-dos. I have caught myself there – hours slip by, and I am drained, not refreshed. Sound familiar?

It is not wrong to stay informed or engaged, but when the noise drowns out God’s voice, we starve spiritually. Over a week, those hours spent watching coverage, hitting refresh on the screen, or scrolling updates can add up – time we could have used to feed on the Bread of Life (John 6:35). Crisis tempts us to lean on our own understanding, but Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust the Lord instead. His Word is where we find that trust.

Retreat to Spiritual Nourishment

In these moments, what do we do? Get alone and read the Word. This is not about adding guilt to your plate; it is about receiving what you need. Scripture is God-breathed, “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). In a crisis, it is your compass. It tells you who God is, who you are, and how to walk forward.

Take a national event like a hurricane. The news might show devastation, but Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Or consider a tragedy like a mass shooting – while the headlines scream chaos, Isaiah 41:10 assures us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you.” A personal crisis might feel isolating, but Hebrews 13:5 promises, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” These are not just verses – they are fuel for your soul. When you retreat to God’s Word, you are not escaping reality; you are grounding yourself in the ultimate reality.

The Power of Stepping Away

Here is the beauty: getting alone with Scripture does not just inform you – it transforms you. Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). In the chaos, God’s Word steadies your footing. It shifts your gaze from the storm to the Savior. I have experienced it in my own life and seen it so many times while helping others – when we trade an hour of news or immersion in the midst of our own crisis for an hour in the Word, our perspective changes. Often, in this time away, anxiety loosens its grip, hope takes root, and purpose emerges.

Contrast that with staying in the swirl. The more we soak in the world’s noise, the more unsteady we feel – confused, overwhelmed, hopeless. But a break to get alone with the Bible reorients us. It is not avoidance; it is alignment.

A Step Forward

Here is your challenge: carve out time today – yes, today – to get alone with God’s Word. Start small if the crisis feels big. Grab your Bible, find a quiet spot, and read for 10 minutes. Not sure where to start? Try Psalm 23 for comfort, Romans 8 for hope, or James 1 for wisdom. Read slowly, pray it back to God, and let it sink in. If you are in a national crisis – like the stock market plunge gripping us I write this – pair it with a news break. Swap 30 minutes of coverage for 30 minutes in Scripture. Watch how God meets you there.

Next time, we will tie these steps – prayer, service, thanksgiving, and the Word – into God’s strength in community. For now, take this step. What is one truth from Scripture that has steadied you in a crisis? If you have one of those very special texts, open God’s Word there and start reading.

Your goal: a light outside the crisis upon which to focus and a lamp to help us with the next right step now.

As always, you are welcome to drop a note on X.com or in the comments section. Maybe today, add your go-to passage for others to see.