Five Ways to Lean on Your Christian Faith in Times of Crisis
Everyone knows life isn’t free of storms. Loss, illness, betrayal, and financial collapse are all different crises that rarely give you the courtesy of showing up when you’re “ready.” In those moments, it’s tempting to reach for anything that promises a sense of control or comfort. Yet for followers of Christ, these seasons can also become deep wells of spiritual growth, a place where faith moves from theory into lifeline. The Bible doesn’t shy away from the reality of hardship, and neither should we. Let’s discuss five ways to lean into your faith when the bottom falls out, not as a last resort, but as a steady anchor for both your hope and your heart.
Remember That God is Your Refuge
In times when fear grips you and solutions seem far out of reach, remembering that God is your refuge isn’t just a comforting sentiment; it’s also a call to action. This truth invites you to run toward Him, not away, when the weight of trouble feels unbearable.
Refuge is about shelter, but it’s also about surrender. It’s trusting that the One who formed the universe is capable of holding you together when your world is coming apart. In practice, this can mean taking a moment in the middle of a heated conversation to pray before responding. It can mean opening your Bible at 2 a.m. when anxiety keeps you awake, instead of scrolling endlessly through your phone. When you make God the first place you turn, you build a pattern of safety in Him that doesn’t depend on whether your circumstances improve right away.
Recognize When You Need Help
One of the hardest things about a crisis is admitting that you can’t fix it on your own. This is especially true when the pressure pushes you toward unhealthy ways of coping. For some, that’s turning to substances for temporary relief. Acknowledging that you can’t quit drugs on your own isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom. Seeking out a Christian drug rehabilitation program can provide not only the practical tools to break free from addiction, but also a Christ-centered environment that reminds you of who you are.
True recovery goes beyond abstaining from a harmful habit. It’s about realigning your life so that Christ is at the center again. Sometimes this means surrounding yourself with believers who will pray with you daily, check in on your progress, and encourage you through setbacks.
Pray With Both Honesty and Expectation
Prayer isn’t a magic formula for instant solutions, but it is a lifeline that keeps you connected to God. We can pray like Jesus does in Matthew 6:9-15, by putting God the Father first. Too often, we think we have to clean up our emotions before bringing them to Him, as if our anger, doubt, or grief might offend the Creator who already knows our hearts.
Scripture gives us permission, through the Psalms, through Job, and through Jesus Himself, to pour it all out honestly. In crisis, pray with the raw truth of your pain, but also with the expectation that God will respond, whether in peace, wisdom, or a new path forward. Expectation isn’t an entitled attitude. It’s faith that He’s holy and that He is at work, even when His timeline doesn’t match yours.
Stay Anchored in Scripture
In a world quick to offer shallow fixes, God’s Word provides the deep, sustaining truth that can keep your heart steady in chaos. The Bible isn’t just a history book to read once and set aside, it’s a living word meant to speak into your right-now situation. When crisis hits, familiar verses you’ve memorized in calmer seasons can suddenly become lifelines, pulling you back from the edge of despair.
If your mind feels too scattered to focus on long passages, start with just a few verses and let them cycle in your heart throughout the day. Place Scripture cards where you’ll see them: by the bathroom mirror, in your wallet, or as your phone’s lock screen. The more you immerse yourself in God’s promises, the less sway fear has over you.
Keep Eternity in View
Crises shrink your focus. They make the problem in front of you look like the only thing that matters. But as believers, we’re called to live with an eternal perspective. That doesn’t mean pretending pain isn’t real, but it does mean remembering it’s not the whole story. Paul wrote about light and momentary afflictions in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, not because they felt light in the moment, but because he was measuring them against eternity’s scale.
When you keep eternity in view, you can endure hardships with a hope that circumstances can’t erase. It may be as simple as taking a walk and thanking God for His creation, reminding yourself that the same God who paints sunsets and sends rain also holds your life in His hands. Every act of trust now becomes part of a bigger picture, one that will outlast the crisis and carry you into a future where every tear will be wiped away.
