| Return |

On the Cliff's Edge: Coping with Crisis in Faith

By Dr. Peggy Jo Wobbema

Perhaps you have heard it said or read it on a bumper sticker or key chain: "Life is Hard, but God is Good." It's easy to say, but for many it is difficult to walk out in the hard places of life. Psalm 118:13 says, "I was right on the cliff-edge, ready to fall, when God grabbed me and held me" (The Message).

If we are honest with ourselves when we read the above verse, we remember a place and time when we could have shouted "Amen!" to the Psalmist. We all understand what it is like to be on the edge of a cliff, feeling like we could crash to the bottom at any moment. But what happens when that which is about to crash is your faith? Perhaps you have had the opportunity to minister to those in difficult situations where their faith is sorely tried. Can you remember what you shared with them at the point of their questions, their deep discouragement, their wondering if God was present or that He even cared? Listening to weeping hearts is what we do as ministers of God's grace. But what about when you or I are on the cliff's edge and our faith is in crisis and our hearts weep with the deep questions that come in the darkness?

Throughout the Psalms, we read words like, "You have relieved me in my distress," "in the day of my calamity the Lord was my support," "this poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him," "O my God, my soul is cast down." In each cry is heard the response to the stresses of life that taunt the heart to question God, to inquire as to His care and love. Yet, over and again the Psalmist declares God as refuge, strength, comfort, deliverer, sustainer, joy, delight, and burden bearer — in the midst of the distress, not when it is over.

Psalm 27:13 says, "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (NKJV). There are many things in ministry that easily discourage. Often there are wounds deep in our souls. How you and I respond to these wounds will result in whether our faith stands strong or comes to a place of crisis.

As a chaplain, when dealing with an individual who is struggling in his or her faith due to a health crisis, I will often ask about difficulties of the past and how he or she dealt with it. Inviting the person to explore his own walk of faith often encourages him to see the markings of God along the way. Hebrews 10:32-35 invites the reader to "recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings .... therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward" (NKJV). Recall the former days as a pastor, missionary, pastor's wife, or whatever your positions were in ministry. How have you dealt with the pains of the past? Did you cry out to God in your distress? Did you spend time in God's Word? Did you open your heart to a trusted friend who would come along side you and help carry your burden, or did you choose to hide your pain?

God rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). In the midst of your faith crisis, God loves you. In the midst of your pain, God heals you. In the midst of your desire to please God in your life and ministry, God anoints you. In the midst of your weariness in the battle, God strengthens you. When it is all said and done, God is pleased with you.

• home
• about us
• resources
• women in ministry
• faq
• past themes
• contact us