By: Waylon Bailey ~

Life is filled with crises.

You never know when a crisis will come, and you can’t know what form it will take. You simply know in this life you will face difficulties and trouble.

I am thankful to know these four truths when crises come.

First, I am thankful to know God. Like King Jehoshaphat of Judah (2 Chronicles 20), I am thankful to know that God knows and cares about me.

His care in the midst of crisis is not because of who I am. It’s because of who He is. His unconditional and undying love sustains me through the difficulties of life.

Second, I am thankful for God’s people. I can’t imagine trying to do life without God and His people.

I have been in the leadership of churches for over 40 years. I have led the church I now serve for 25 years. I am well aware of the blemishes and failures in the church. Yet, I know the church to be made up of loving people who surround me with love and encouragement.

I have often said when people assure me they are praying for us: Martha and I are sustained by the prayers of God’s people.

Third, I am thankful for prayer. I am thankful I can call on God and give Him my troubles knowing He is with me. “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Jehoshaphat spoke wonderful words of truth when he prayed to God: “we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12).

Finally, I am thankful to be a child of God. As God’s child, I am not under condemnation (Romans 8:1). As His child, I belong to His faith family. I am thankful to be treated as His child. “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him” (Psalm 103:13). “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours but the Lord’s” (2 Chronicles 20: 15).

I am thankful to know a big God who fights our battles and blesses us with His presence.
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Have a great week!