Trusting God in Crisis

The scene:

I’m standing on a subway in Canada during rush hour. There is not enough room to sit, so Steve and I stand, holding onto the post in front of us. 

I will preface this by stating that I’m severely claustrophobic (I have reason to be after being locked in a dark elevator AND a tiny, tile bathroom in less-than-modern countries on mission trips). 

Terrified is more like it. 

So, on this subway, we stood as people poured in—poured in and locked in like sardines in a can. No one got off, and at every stop, more people poured in around me—poured in so that the door barely closed…..all while underground. 

There I stood. And there I panicked.

I couldn’t breathe. I was going to die. I didn’t care what I had to do I was bolting in order to survive. My heart pounded, and all rational thought left – my survival brain was fully engaged. 

Steve recognized the fear and panic on my face and immediately intervened. 

“Just look at me”.

“Look at my face – in my eyes.” 

“Just breathe”

“I will keep the space around you clear – and I will not let anyone get into our space.”

“This is our safe space – no one is getting in.”

“When you are scared – you stay with me.”

“Hold your ground.”

“Stand strong.” 

 That’s God. What a lesson.

Fear is going to happen. Your trauma, your previous experiences, your biological makeup, your learned behaviors – there are times when they will all come into play. Your God-given survival brain will kick in, and you will feel that you are going to die because you can’t breathe. 

But God knows. He sees it in your eyes.

And in those times, Ephesians 6:13 tells us – “Having done all— stand firm.” 

Those times when you are armored up with all that Ephesians 6 says to do, but fear and panic still come – When all rational thought has left, and our spiritual survival brain kicks in – When all we can think of is that we are ready to bolt – 

It is in those times that we stand. Stand in the face of real or perceived death – stand in the face of trauma, pain, and injustice. 

Just Stand. 

Look at His face – in His eyes – breathe and keep the space around you clear of incoming adversity. It may fall apart around you, but in your space where real danger can come upon you and take your life….. that space He will keep clear. 

He is big enough, strong enough, and gentle enough to give you strength to hold on. 

So when fear comes (and it will) – Stay with Him – look at His face – take a deep breath and stand.