Both A Danger And An Opportunity

Bienhome Muivah *

It's interesting to take a note of the Chinese word-symbol for a crisis. They use a combination of the symbols for both danger and opportunity to depict a crisis. Everyone experiences crisis in their lives. Some people become stronger as a result of these experiences, while others become weaker. A crisis can truly be an opportunity to learn and grow, and this was the approach David took towards crisis that he and his team experienced.

The important thing is not what happen to us, but how we deal with what happen to us! There are both constructive and non-constructive ways of responding to any crisis. For one thing, we can deny that a problem exists and hide our head in the sand. Or we can attempt to evade the problem by turning to alcohol and drugs.

Another approach would be refuse to seek help and try to handle it ourselves. We may even fail to seek God's help at times, waiting until we have tried every possible human angle before turning to Him.

Sometimes we may even be tempted to engage in "the blame-shift game", blaming others for our problems. For example, people may blame the crisis on society, DNA, or their upbringing. We may also fail to explore possible solutions because we figure they won't work anyway.

Through David's example we see that the right way is to face the problem, even if it is not your fault, to separate what is changeable from the unchangeable, and to seek help when we are exploring ways to deal with a problem or a crisis.

As we do so, we need to remember the promises of God, such as this one: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (I Cor. 10:13). In effect, this scripture is saying: "No crisis is more than what you can deal with through the help of God".

Many times our first reaction when something tragic happens to us is to first say that it is unfair. The tragic event might take the form of many different problems such as the loss of a loved one, the loss of property, the loss of job, the loss of friends, accidents, being laid off/fired, no pay check at all, or your kids turning to drugs. You try to do what is right in the midst of the crisis, but instead, you find yourself being filled with feelings of disappointment and fighting feeling of despair!

David and his great men of war, even though they were strong, battled-hardened warriors, wept in bitter disappointment as they surveyed what had happened in their own town of Ziglag and wondered what had become of their loved ones. In fact, the Bible says that "they wept until they had no strength left to weep".

When the Devil takes your strength and resolve, you are no longer a threat to him! Disappointment and grief are often followed by people trying to find someone or something to blame.

Instead of pulling together in their time of need, David's friends and loyal companions began to find fault in him. The Bible says, "Each one was bitter in their spirits because of his sons and daughter".

Maybe they figured that David should have left a bigger guard behind to protect the village or should have had some kind of contingency plan in place. Perhaps, they blamed David because he took them to a war that they felt that wasn't theirs. Whatever their motives, in their hearts they wanted to destroy him.

A crisis in leadership

One thing is certain: this was a crisis in leadership! Unresolved bitterness is a weapon the enemy often uses against a team, because he knows that wounded people wound others! No one is immune to pain, hurt, or suffering. If feelings of bitterness are not dealt with, they will always resurface somewhere later.

David tried until he could not cry anymore. His sorrow and his fears were just as real as those of his men. David was distressed and his men started picking up stones to hurl at him. As a Godly leader of his men, he was at his wit's end, but he was not at faith's end. Believers have a right to trust their God when times are the worst. God says that He will be with us always. He also says that all things will work together for our good (Rom.8:28).

There are certain godly principles to note here. First, we must rise up. Second, we must pursue and third, don't run, and don't stick your head in the sand. Face your problems with God's help! He is a very present help in your time of need. You can throw stones, or you can recover what the enemy has stolen from your spirit and life.

It is clear that David understood this truth as we see in the story about Ziklag. He was at a critical place in his life, and his very life was in danger. Today, it may be your ministry that's in danger. Perhaps your team is turning against you because they are blaming a current situation on your leadership. What do you do in such a case?

You need to decide to rise up and pursue a situation. Take a control of the situation by using your faith in God.

Encourage yourself in God

David's past experiences with the lion, the bear, the giant, and all the battles he had fought increased his trust in the God who had continually delivered him. David rose and encouraged himself in God. The word "encourage" means "to make firm, to preserve, to be firm, to be strong, to bind fast, and to strengthen",

Yes, David had a problem. Did he have heartache, also? Yes, he clearly did. But did he have time to feel sorry for himself? No, David went to God for strength and firmness. In the process, something happened to David's attitude. He picked himself up, and his men noticed the change in him!

Perhaps David had channeled his hurt and anguish into anger at the enemy instead of turning and spoke to himself. He may have looked within and spoke to himself like he did in psalm 42:11, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my savior and my God"

With God behind you, you can always face victoriously what is ahead of you!