A Practical Response To Crisis Times

A Practical Response To Crisis Times
By Virgil Fry

Everyone experiences transition: some major, some minor, some chosen, some imposed. Change may be our friend at times, our nemesis at other moments. We all experience crisis moments with family turmoil, serious illness, job loss or changes, financial distress, death of loved ones, moving, natural disasters, etc. People of faith search scriptures for assistance in not just coping, but also with redeeming crisis events with betterment. Here are a few suggestions for pro-active responses to crisis events.

•Seek and accept the support of caring friends.
•Grieve as you need to, knowing that feelings of loss are normal and require time to heal.
•While figuring out new ways to act and behave, set healthy boundaries with others.
•Lower perfectionist expectations: allow grace to minister to your soul.
•Choose sojourners and activities wisely, refuse to allow others to impose guilt messages.
•Laugh and cry, rejoice and weep, as these are God’s gifts to grievers.
•Keep moving, even if it’s short walks.
•Rest adequately, allowing your body to be refreshed with sleep.
•Find times to be silent, meditating on one good aspect of God’s presence in your life.
•Enjoy social ventures, finding a balance between being a recluse and overbooked socialite.
•Plan, control what you can, then let others have the joy of assisting you.
•Do fewer things in a day, do them well, and learn to place the remainder in God’s care.
•Refresh your inner spirit with good reading, good music, and very little television.
•Pray, and seek the prayerful support of others.
•When stuck in one emotional or spiritual mode, consider competent professional counsel.
•Consider new ventures, new possibilities that the crisis has opened up for you.
•Be gentle with yourself, and with those around you who also may be hurting.
•Be honest in what you need from others, and learn to be specific in your requests.
•Reach out and touch someone else in need: we are never meant to serve only ourselves.
•Relax about the small details, believing that life is more important than daily chores.
•Seek special moments alone with God, and with good companions.
•Grieve that which is lost, enjoy what is present today, and believe in God’s promise for tomorrow.

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		A Practical Response To Crisis Times By Virgil Fry Everyone experiences transition: some major, some minor, some chosen, some imposed. Change may be our friend at times, our nemesis at other moments. We all experience crisis moments with family turmoil, serious illness, job loss or changes, financial distress, death of loved ones, moving, natural disasters, etc. People of faith search scriptures for assistance in not just coping, but also with redeeming crisis events with betterment. Here are a few suggestions for pro-active responses to crisis events. •Seek and accept the support of caring friends. •Grieve as you need to, knowing that feelings of loss are normal and require time to heal. •While figuring out new ways to act and behave, set healthy boundaries with others. •Lower perfectionist expectations: allow grace to minister to your soul. •Choose sojourners and activities wisely, refuse to allow others to impose guilt messages. •Laugh and cry, rejoice and weep, as these are God’s gifts to grievers. •Keep moving, even if it’s short walks. •Rest adequately, allowing your body to be refreshed with sleep. •Find times to be silent, meditating on one good aspect of God’s presence in your life. •Enjoy social ventures, finding a balance between being a recluse and overbooked socialite. •Plan, control what you can, then let others have the joy of assisting you. •Do fewer things in a day, do them well, and learn to place the remainder in God’s care. •Refresh your inner spirit with good reading, good music, and very little television. •Pray, and seek the prayerful support of others. •When stuck in one emotional or spiritual mode, consider competent professional counsel. •Consider new ventures, new possibilities that the crisis has opened up for you. •Be gentle with yourself, and with those around you who also may be hurting. •Be honest in what you need from others, and learn to be specific in your requests. •Reach out and touch someone else in need: we are never meant to serve only ourselves. •Relax about the small details, believing that life is more important than daily chores. •Seek special moments alone with God, and with good companions. •Grieve that which is lost, enjoy what is present today, and believe in God’s promise for tomorrow.