Crisis comes to us all. Whether it’s in business, family, or health, crisis is an inevitable part of life. No matter how well we plan or how good our decisions are, there are moments when things just don’t go according to plan. In fact, the Bible says in Psalms that many are the afflictions of the righteous. This means even good people will experience crisis.

But there’s hope. That same scripture goes on to say that the Lord delivers us from all of our afflictions—not just some, but all of them. This message is one of encouragement and assurance that no matter what crisis you’re facing, it’s not permanent. It will pass, and you’ll be delivered from it. The key is knowing how to respond in a crisis to keep peace, and most importantly, to navigate it as quickly as possible.

Learning from King Hezekiah

One of the most overlooked figures in the Bible might be King Hezekiah. He was a king of Judah, and in 2 Kings, it says, “Hezekiah did what was right in the sight of the Lord, just as his father David had done.” Despite a long line of kings before him who strayed from God, Hezekiah stayed faithful, and the Bible even says there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, before or after.

Yet, even King Hezekiah faced a crisis. A massive one. The Assyrian army, a ruthless force that had destroyed kingdoms all around him, sent him a letter saying, “You’re next.” Imagine the fear, the pressure. To make matters worse, this letter was read out loud in front of all his people, telling them not to trust their king, not to trust God.

So, what did Hezekiah do? And how can we, in our own lives, respond when a crisis strikes?

Reacting vs. Responding

One of the biggest mistakes people make in a crisis is reacting rather than responding. When faced with a crisis, we often react emotionally, out of fear or panic. Stephen Covey talks about the difference between reacting and responding, and it’s critical in times of crisis. Reacting is immediate and often based on emotion, while responding requires a pause—a gap—between the crisis (stimulus) and our action.

The more we can open up that gap, the better we can respond with wisdom. This space allows us to reflect, pray, and seek a more measured and thoughtful response. This gap is where maturity and self-control, both fruits of the Holy Spirit, come into play.

Step 1: Get in Spiritual Alignment

The first thing we need to do in a crisis is to get into spiritual alignment. For me, as a Christian, that means seeking God’s perspective. But even if you’re not a believer, the principle applies: reconnect with your core values, your purpose, and your calling.

When a crisis threatens to disrupt everything, you need to anchor yourself in the truth of who you are and what you’re meant to do. Hezekiah did this by taking the letter from the Assyrians and going straight to the temple to inquire of the Lord. He didn’t just react; he sought alignment with God. In the same way, we need to ask ourselves, “What is my purpose? What is God’s plan for me in this situation?”

Step 2: Face the Facts

After getting into alignment, it’s time to face the facts. Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away. Hezekiah didn’t stick his head in the sand; instead, he laid the letter from the Assyrians out before the Lord. He confronted the crisis head-on but with the right perspective.

In business, this could mean laying out all the financial problems, the bills, the cash flow issues—whatever the crisis is—before God and asking for guidance. It’s essential to take a good, hard look at the situation, not in denial, but with faith that the outcome is in God’s hands.

Step 3: Get the Right Mindset Before Taking Action

Once you’ve aligned yourself spiritually and faced the facts, you need to get into the right mindset before taking action. Too often, we rush into action out of fear or panic, which can make the crisis worse. You need to be sure that the steps you take aren’t rooted in fear or lack, but rather in faith and clarity.

This might mean taking time to meditate, pray, or simply calm your mind. I like to make declarations during this time, speaking the truth of God’s promises over the situation. For example, if you’re facing a health crisis, declare healing scriptures over your body or your loved one. Speak words of life, not death, over your situation.

Step 4: Observe Where God is Already Working

Sometimes, in the midst of a crisis, we think we need to take immediate, drastic action. But one of the most important things you can do is to observe where God is already working. Hezekiah didn’t rush out to gather an army or respond aggressively to the Assyrians. Instead, he waited and watched what God was already doing in the situation.

In your own life, before you start hustling and making moves, take a step back and ask, “Where is God already moving?” Align yourself with that, and join in. You don’t have to do all the work. God is already at work, and your job is to come into alignment with His plan.

Crisis is Temporary, Growth is Permanent

Crisis comes to all of us, but how we respond determines not just how quickly we get through it, but also how much we grow from it. Creating that gap between stimulus and response is key. It gives us the space to align ourselves spiritually, face the facts, get in the right mindset, and take measured action.

But remember, just as crisis comes to everyone, so does opportunity. In Ecclesiastes, King Solomon says, “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong… but time and chance happen to them all.” Opportunity and crisis are two sides of the same coin, and how we handle crisis often positions us for the next opportunity.

So, when a crisis comes, don’t fear it. Embrace the process, align yourself spiritually, and trust that the Lord will deliver you from all of it, just as He did with Hezekiah.

You’re not alone in the battle, and the victory is already yours.