Pressing Into God During Times of Crisis

Editor’s Note: Ten days after a terrible explosion left her fighting for her life, Hollywood stuntwoman Desiree Ayres walked out of the Sherman Oaks Burn Center completely healed and whole. Now she co-pastors with her husband and shares her powerful testimony of miraculous healing and restoration with everyone she meets. 

No matter how challenging or difficult your present circumstance may be, I can assure you of one thing: If you cry out to God in your crisis, He can and will bring you help. Not only will He help you but He can make a multitude of blessings out of every situation. Be encouraged, because as you cry out to your Creator, He can and will turn your mess into a message, your test into a testimony!

In my case it was a mess that could have easily been avoided. I felt the Holy Spirit leading me not to take that particular job that day. I knew better. But the minimum amount of $500 I’d make for just showing up that day, plus my pay adjustment depending upon what stunt I was doing, was just too attractive. I tried to rationalize away the leading of the Lord, which was a huge mistake. That day after my accident, I saw clearly that money means nothing to a person facing the possibility of having their face scarred for the rest of their life, or worse—not knowing if they will live and make it through the day.

When I finally regained consciousness after the explosion, I knew something was terribly wrong, and I felt this dark, evil presence around me. I know now that death and destruction were trying to take my life. When I awoke it was a very dark eerie feeling to not feel my body, and not know if body parts were missing or how bad the damage was. I did know that I had been hurt badly.

I believe the devil tried to kill me that day, but his attack failed. Why? I believe a big key is that I cried out to God, and He intervened on my behalf. I cried out to Him, knowing He would hear me and care for me. I remembered what the Bible says: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” (Ps. 50:15). What a wonderful promise that is!

God tells us to call on Him when we’re in trouble and He will deliver us and we will glorify Him. In other words, once He delivers you, you can testify of the goodness of God and what He’s done for you—and how He got you out of your mess and turned it into a message.

It doesn’t matter how many times the storms of life knock you down. You can rise up after each fall, because God in heaven is there for you. That’s good news!

Psalm 57:1-3 says that God will take care of the things in life that concern you. And He’ll reproach the devil on your behalf. When you call out to God in times of crisis, He shows up and gives you the faith you need to climb whatever mountain you may be facing.

I had only been a Christian for two years at the time of my accident, but I was a fireball for Christ. I spent time daily getting to know Him and being in His Word, the Bible. Because of that I knew the importance of calling out to God in my time of need.

Do you know how vast God is? We serve a big God, a huge and glorious God. The Bible tells us that there are creatures in heaven circling Him saying, “Holy, holy, holy,” because every time they go around Him, they get a new glimpse of His glory.

There are so many supernatural and glorious experiences we’re supposed to be having with Him here on planet Earth on a regular basis. He wants us to get a glimpse of His glory too. But to do that we need to spend time with Him and get to know Him more. Here are five power points to help you do just that. 

1. Daily practice pressing into God. Press in for His help and for His answers.

2. Trust completely in God. Trust that He is going to do what His Word says He’ll do and deliver us from our distresses.

3. Remember, trials don’t last forever. Remind yourself that this too will pass.

4. Have no other gods before Him. Do not allow anything to take first place in your heart except Jesus.

5. Continue to walk in love. God is the perfect example of love, and since we are created in His image, we are called to love.

When you are in crisis, your first impulse should be to call on our Father—our heavenly Father. “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you” (Ps. 50:15).He created you and is acquainted with all your ways; no one knows better than God how to heal your body, repair your relationships and fix the things in your life that concern you. Since He knows best, remember to call out to Him in your time of trouble.

Adapted from Beyond the Flame by Desiree Ayres, copyright 2012, published by Creation House. Whatever you are trusting God for, this book will encourage you to stand on the promises of His Word. It’s a powerful testimony, filled with faith building scriptures and encouragement for whatever you are facing. To order your copy, click here. 

PRAYER POWER FOR THE WEEK OF 03/18/2013

This week thank God that He is faithful to intervene on your behalf when you are facing a crisis. Remember to pray for those you know who are walking through difficult trials and declare appropriate scriptures over their situation. Continue to pray for Israel, the Middle East, North and South Korea, and our own government as it tackles our economic and global challenges. Pray for those striving to recover from loss of income, health and loved ones. Ask God to show you how to be a tangible blessing. Continue to pray for revival to sweep our nation and the entire world. Psalm 50:15; Psalm 57:1-2; 1 Thes. 5:17