Finding inner peace in the midst of crisis

She was devastated upon learning from her doctor that she has malignant tumor that needed an immediate operation. Mixed emotions --confusion and fear --- engulfed her inner being. She wondered what would happen to her three children when she would be gone considering that they are still in their tender age.

She had never been more intense in her prayer than in this midst of crisis that she is facing now. She prayed to the Lord to give her a much longer life so she could see her children grow, and asked Him that her operation would be successful.

While praying to the Lord one evening, she felt comforted when she heard the Lord whispering to her: “Trust me, don’t be afraid. I shall take care of you, and there’s nothing to fear.” Upon hearing these comforting words, a wave of inner peace engulfed her inner being. Right there and then she knew that she must not lose faith in her trust in the Lord. She knew that God is a God of mercy and she knew that God would not forsake her in her moments of crisis.

All of us have our moments of fear and uncertainty when life throws us a curve ball. It is in this moment that we are awaken on how fragile life is. That while we are in our comfort zone, life would just hit us hard wherein we will stagger in the corner of the ring of life, not knowing what to do and how to deal the crisis that we are facing. However, no matter how deep the pit we are in, we still have to cling to the rope of hope that God would never forsake us. God is a God of mercy and He always has the time to listen to our prayers and longing. As John 14:1 exclaims, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.”

Spiritual adviser Bette J. Shellborn, PH.D. offers the following suggestions on how to find inner peace in the midst of crisis:

Pause and become quiet when you are in the middle of a crisis. The first step in the process is to stop, pause, take a deep breath and become very quiet -- inside and out. If it is possible, go to a room or location where you can find silence, or where you can relax and become calm.

Evaluate the situation. Wait until you are calm so your heart and mind can think through the situation and then really take a close and objective look at the situation. Observe what is actually happening, being as objective as you can. Try to be impartial with your thoughts so you can see the real crisis for what it is. This will help you to calmly consider how to cope up with the problem and handle the situation at hand.

Acknowledge your need for God. Reach out to the Lord in prayer realizing that you need God’s help. Share your honest thoughts and feelings to God, talking as you would speak to a close friend.

Cry out to Jesus Christ. Let the Lord know the extent of your thoughts and feelings. Share with God all your fears, your anger, your pain, your confusion or whatever thoughts and feelings you may have at this time. Be honest with yourself and with Jesus. You can pray at any time of the day and at any place. But if you feel comfortable praying in the prayer room, spend time with Him. As you pray, give your problems to the Lord and let Him carry your burden.

Express thanks and praise the Lord for helping you solve your problems. Thanking Him after praying signifies your trust and faith in Him in His goodness and mercy.

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