Connecting During DeploymentExemplo

Seven Steps of Faith during a Crisis

It was a painful privilege to be so close to a family when it experienced unbelievable and unexpected tragic news. In the days, weeks, and months that followed, our own family experienced a painful close-up look at how the spiritual leader of a household leads his loved ones through a terrible crisis. 

The seven steps of faith we observed this godly husband and father take are worth sharing. They bear study because deployment brings the opportunity to display a faith walk of total reliance on God, too.

First, our friend acknowledged his helplessness with humility. Read 2 Corinthians 5:7 and Hebrews 11:1.

Second, the husband knew he must go to the source of all faith for strength to face the day as well as the days to come. So he decided to regularly spend time in God’s Word. Read Romans 10:17 and Psalm 119:105.

Third, since the emotions in his family were bordering on total confusion, he encouraged them to focus on God’s promises. He wrote Scripture passages on index cards for everyone to memorize, using Psalm 46:1-2, Psalm 119:50, Psalm 121:1-2, Romans 8:28, and Lamentations 3:21-23.

The fourth step was patient endurance. At first, his goal was just to survive the day, then the week  . . . growing in perseverance along the way. Read James 1:3-4.

Fifth, he knew that encouragement would help his family endure. Instead of isolating themselves in their pain, the husband led his family in the fifth step—keeping them open to help and open to worship with their church family. Read Romans 15:5-6.

Sixth, they looked for where God was providing hope. Read Romans 15:4.

Finally, they praised God for His sovereignty and His presence, with thanksgiving. This step is repeated continually, and is perhaps the most counter-intuitive step of all. But it was necessary for they wanted to be obedient to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, which tells us to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

In spite of everything they have been through, this family stands together in faith. They are an inspiration to us all. 

1. What crises of faith have you experienced during deployment? 

2. How are you relying on your trust in God to get through the ordeals?

Read about, “How Can I Keep My Family Strong in the Midst of Tragedy and Suffering?”