Crisis = Danger + Opportunity

Urban legend has it that the Chinese word for “crisis” is represented by the Chinese characters danger and opportunity. Although this is incorrect, I do like the urban legend that a crisis presents danger and great opportunity. What a perspective to have on life’s trouble! Think about this – all the great stories that surpass time all have the same plot – a crisis that changes the course of a person or a nation. That plots draws us in and we can relate.  There is a hero that beats the odds going through great peril and once the danger is conquered, a great opportunity is gained in the end. Can you think of a story or a circumstance that you have faced like this?

It is enlivening to know there is going to be something astonishing on the other side of this valley and it will probably blow my mind away when it is all revealed to me. I find an amazing amount of peace about the whole situation with this perspective. I see this only as a win-win circumstance. Not to underrate the lesson, but it is kind of like Christmas morning as a child. You know there are going to be presents, you see them under the tree – but until you are able to open them, you cannot enjoy what you about to receive. You are just a ball of anticipation of the great gifts that are to come.

So it is with anticipation, I see life is tough.  There are many valleys – but there are also many mountain tops. When you are going through a valley, focusing on Jesus will keep the hope of your promises alive. Even if the impossible does not happen, what an opportunity you will have when you can relate to someone who is going through a similar situation. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Our Prince of Peace reigns even in turbulent times.  Peace is like of wisp of cool air in the middle of a heat wave. We have an opportunity to share our comforting cool air found in our sorrow. What a refreshing breathe to know He will not leave us and share this assurance with someone else.

Our God is the Father of mercy and understands our heartaches. In those dark valleys of crisis, He envelopes us in His comfort. In comfort there will be an opportunity. When you anticipate this opportunity, joyfulness for the circumstance is birthed.  “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold,” 1 Peter 1:6-7a