[dropcap]A[/dropcap]t the beginning of 2005, my life and the lives of many around me where challenged in ways unimaginable, as I found myself faced with the GREATEST CRISIS of my life. I NEVER (and I do mean NEVER) in a million years, would have imagined that my life as I knew it and every dream I had for others, my family and myself would be shattered. I NEVER would have envisioned that my life would fall apart and that there would be attacks of the magnitude that I experienced. I NEVER would have envisioned the steps that the devil would take to discredit, not only me, my family and my church personally, but also the Kingdom of God. But like most of us, I had became comfortable with my life and assumed that because I was blessed, that really I had nothing to worry about. In reality, I had skipped over the scriptures that forewarned me to be on the lookout. Jesus both forewarns and encourages us that IN this life there WILL BE times of trial and testing.
I skipped over certain scriptures, like most do, because life was GREAT and I really didn\’t think those other scriptures applied to me. The ones like, John 16:33 In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” and 1 Peter 4:12-19 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering…Wow, overlooking those scripture really put me in an awkward position! Why? Because I wasn\’t looking for the enemy to attack! The Bible tells us to ALWAYS be on alert! Well, I wasn\’t – at least not the way I should have been.
What I learned from my experience is that TROUBLE doesn\’t ever come at a convenient time. It actually tends to come at times of inconvenience – as an interruption; when we least expect it! So, the truth is that as much as we desire for things to be just “right†in life – there will be troubles. I like to say it this way, “Life Happens and when it does, will we be ready?†So, in the midst of your life and your dreams coming to pass…and things being wonderful…LOOK OUT! Trouble may be lurking around the corner. That\’s how the enemy works… he\’s really a coward, so he has to trip you up so he can try to take you out – when you least expect it! I had to rely on knowing that GREATER is the GOD in me, than that joker called the devil. I had to remember that Jesus was my ABSOLUTE source in my weakest state. So, when he trips you up (be aware that he will try and oftentimes succeed), that\’s when you must know what to do. Coping with any type of loss/crisis/tragedy, whether it involves personal possessions, a job or a family member, can be very stressful and quite painful. I won\’t try to sugarcoat it, the stuff we go through hurts, YET, we can overcome if we know what to do!
In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ike, hurricane victims, including children, had to deal with issues never before faced. In the world around us every day, we are seeing the collapse of major financial institutions, major corporations, national disasters and more; yet, we must know without a doubt that WE CAN still make it through these things. When faced with a loss, crisis or life-changing event, you are suddenly thrust into an unfamiliar world, one that can be frightening and unsettling. Knowing how to make it through the first few days or hours can help. One of the most touching things I witnessed recently was during the Haiti earthquake – where a group of people broke out praising and worshipping God because they had their lives: Had they lost family? Loved ones? All their possessions? Were they in pain? YES! But one lady stated, “We still have our lives so we thank GOD, that’s why we are praising HIM! So if you\’ve faced or are currently facing a crisis of any kind, it is my hopes that through this column each month, that you will learn, first of all, that even in the midst of what appears to be hopelessness, you can ALWAYS find HOPE! Then, it is my prayer that you learn THE PROCESS of how to walk the path toward totally rebuilding your life!
A Crisis is defined as: An unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty: A point when a conflict reaches its highest tension and must be resolved. Well, YOUR crisis is your crisis, BUT you need to know that only YOU can Change Your Situation! It starts with you changing YOUR Perception about Your Crisis, and then YOU working through THE PROCESS so that you ultimately come through better, stronger and wiser! And you will!
Dr. Renee Hornbuckle
www.reneehornbucklemin.com
Dr. Renee Hornbuckle is the Senior Pastor of Agape Christian Fellowship, Arlington, TX. President of Women of Influence Inc., a Crisis/ Life Coach, an Author, Motivational Speaker and Entrepreneur
