How To Handle A Crisis Confidently!

HOW TO HANDLE A CRISIS!

INTRO:

There are three kinds of storms in life.

Storms that we bring on ourselves: Crisis that come as a result of our own decisions and actions

Storms that God causes: Like the flood the God created because of mans wickedness

Storms that other people cause: When you are the innocent party in a crisis that kind of storm is especially difficult to handle.

The question is, how do you deal with these crisis? How can you stay calm and maintain your confidence and courage, regardless of what happens.

Lets take a look at a Crisis. Acts 27:9-12

Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast.[a] So Paul warned them, "Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also." But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest.

Paul has a tremendous desire to preach the Gospel in Rome, however I am sure he did not think he would be going as a prisoner aboard a ship.

The ship is headed from Palestine to Rome. The ship travels through the Mediterranean Sea and docks at the island of Crete. It is here that that God told Paul to advice the crew not to leave the harbor because there was going to be a great storm.

However, the sailors were impatient and wanted to get to a better harbor, so they ignored Paul’s warning and set sail anyway.

Impatience often gets us in the ship called trouble

I want this car, now,

I want this new house

I want this new furniture now.

I want to get married now.

I have spoken to many impatient people who end up in a crisis because they sailed right off pursuing their wants end ended up in a storm called crisis

The story is told of two little boys who were waiting for breakfast one morning. As their mother was preparing some pancakes, the boys began to argue loudly over who would get the first one

from the griddle. Their mother saw an opportunity to teach a lesson. She said, “If Jesus were sitting here, he would say, ‘Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.’ The older of the two boys turned to the other and said, “Okay, I’ll let you be

Jesus this morning.”

Paul told those on the ship, Gentlemen, This voyage is going to be dangerous and if we travel it will bring great loss to this ship and the cargo and to our own lives (Acts 27:10)

But they sailed into the storm anyway. We get in a ship called “I wont listen to wisdom” and we set sail without listening to good ole mom or dad. I know everyone says I should not be

dating that girl or guy but I am going to do what I want to do. These people end up in a crisis then wander what is happening to me. Lets explore some ways we get into a crisis.

I. WE GULLIBLY FOLLOW THE WRONG PEOPLE!

You have Paul saying don’t go. Here you have others saying, come on lets go. Acts 27:11 states But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot

and of the owner of the ship.

When the titanic first hit the ice berg, many would not get into the life boats. They thought, I am safe in this big ship.Needless to say, when the ship started going down, many stated stampeding for the lifeboats. Many of the lifeboats left half empty. Many thought, I am much safer in this big ship than in one of those tiny little life boats out in the rough sea.

Why look at this vast world. Look at all the experts. Look at all this knowledge. What do you mean get in this little old church and get your bible out and follow God. Why I am safer in this big world than I am in this lifeboat called the church.

Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in

himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

If you belong to Him… You ought to heed His Word…

If you belong to Him… You ought to do His Will…

If you belong to Him… You ought to obey His commands…

If you belong to Him… You ought to welcome His presence…