Bouncing back from the

knocks of Life!

We don’t always get what we deserve.  

Ecclesiastes 8:14 (ncv)

Sometimes something useless happens on earth. Bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to bad people.

Most of the problems we have in life are our own fault.  

Proverbs 19:3 (gnb) Some people ruin themselves by their own stupid actions and then blame the Lord.

5 principles how we should respond to a crisis.

 

Principle # 1:

We need to release our grief

Life just isn’t always happy. God doesn’t expect us to be smiling all the time! 

Matthew 5:4 (niv) Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.

God wants to comfort us in our hardship!  

Psalm 34:18Psalm 62:8

Principle # 2:

We need to receive from others

Galatians 6:2 (ncv) By helping each other with your troubles, you truly obey the law of Christ.

Hebrews 12:15a (tlb) Look after each other so that not one of you

will fail to find God’s best blessings...

Principle # 3:

We need to refuse to be bitter

Job 21:25 (gnb) Some people have no happiness at all: they live and die with bitter hearts.

Hebrews 12:15b (niv) See to it…that no bitter root grows up to cause

trouble and defile many.

Accept what cannot be changed. Job 11:13-16  We need to focus on what is left - not what is lost! 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Principle # 4:

We need to remember what is important

Crisis has a way of clarifying values.

Crisis identifies what matters and what really doesn’t matter.

Principle # 5:

We need to rely on Jesus

Philippians 4:13 (ncv) I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens, I can do all things through Christ, because He gives me strength.

How can we rely on Jesus? 

By leaning on Christ for stability!

Psalm 125:1 (cev) Everyone who trusts the LORD is like Mount

Zion that cannot be shaken and will stand forever.

 

How can we rely on Jesus? 

By listening to Jesus for direction!  

Jeremiah 29:11 (gw) I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster,

plans to give you a future filled with hope.

How can we rely on Jesus? 

By looking to Jesus for salvation!  

2 Corinthians 1:10 (tlb) We were really crushed and overwhelmed, and feared we would never live through it… we saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us… And He did help us and saved us… and we expect Him to do it again and again.