Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Crashing, threatening and crushing waves – Are you crashing out in the midst of faith and resilience? The definition of “crashing out” first a became a part of the African American Vernacular English. Black Twitter (now X) is given credit for “crashing out” as a term going viral (2013). Even now, the GEN Z population continues to redefine its definition and associates the term with describing the usual reactions and behaviors of Hollywood stars. But emotional reactions, i.e., outbursts, are applicable to anyone. And if the outbursts, lashing out, and unsettling behaviors linger over a period, the term crashing out is also used. In terms of faith and resilience, what is the message in this post?
Therapeutic Process
Without hesitation, we stress in this blog that the principles of therapy are rooted from the Word of God. Whether the therapist identifies as a #Christian Therapist or not the teaching of the mind and behaviors from colleges and universities, are that of biblical principles. For example, research supports that the tools of prayer, meditation, reading the Word, and positive relationships, are great tools for healing. Afterall, who knows more about the mind, behaviors, and companions than the Creator.
The Weight is Overpowering
Biblically, you may hear “crashing out” defined as ” the weight of the world is on my shoulders.” It is estimated that there are over 8 billion people in this world (Worldometer). It is biblically factual that every person goes through struggles. For any imaginable or real situation, someone is going through suffering. However, this statement does not minimize your pain. On the contrary, it is to agree that your struggle is real. Divinely, therapy is the work you do for healing.
Self-Evaluation
Begin with self-evaluation. What are your true feelings? Abandonment? Senseless? Non-caring? Shame? Anger? Bewilderment? Loss? Or all of the above. Inhale and slowly breathe out. Inhale and slowly breathe out, again. First, recognize that you did not enter this world with the expectation of traumatizing pain. Second, as a baby, you were lucky enough to have a responsible caregiver who attended to your wants and needs. Even if this is not your case, as an adult, the weight and response is yours. Powerful, is your response. God’s way of healing translates into interdependence that forms true partnerships and resources to lift the weight in support of each other.
Resilience
Troubles exist in this space if time that we term “Life.” In the study of psychology, resilience is the capacity to make or adapt in the face of adversity, trauma, or high levels of stress. It is to allow a person to recover from personal setbacks and emerge as a stronger individual. Being able to implement coping systems and strategies is the means to building resilience (American Psychological Association). Another tool that builds our response to situations i.e., grief, sorrows, depression, violence, etc. is faith.
Faith
Fundamentally, we can assert that crushing waves not only happen in oceans, but it also happens to individuals. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith and it is a requirement to please God (Hebrew 11:6). Faith is God’s gift to the believer. Jesus said that the smallest amount of your faith in God can move mountains (Luke 17:6). When the mountain does not move as people desire, in so many situations, God gets the blame. Why did God allow this, people question or Why did God do this? The truth is evil is the root of darkness. Human failures happen because we have imperfections. Even if humans do not lay the blame where it belongs, our God is faithful. God can handle blame for human tragedies and suffering, which are wrongly placed. He is God and has 20//20 vision. We do not.
Still, it is in times of crashing out, that God’s love, compassion and faithfulness is still available. For the believer of mustard seed faith, God is still working in your favor. Moreover, it is the promise of God that He will never leave nor forsake you, even if you feel abandoned. The Holy Spirit who lives within the believer will do the work. Contrary to your thoughts, for believers, suffering works out for our good. Faithfulness is the character of God. God has an arsenal, a host at His command, that works on the behalf of His imperfect children. #believe #faith #servantLeader
If I Sit Here
The story of four lepers living in the land of Israel comes to my mind. In that day, no person of a contagious skin disease (leprous) could mingle and live among others. Though labeled as unclean, not only is there physical pain, but the isolation of the disease was mentally traumatizing.
During a time of war between the Arameans and Israel, these four leprous men sitting at the entrance of the city’s gates, began a serious conversation about their situation. If they went into the city of Israel, they would die because the people had the right to stone them to death. If they continue to stay in the same position, sitting at the city gates, for sure, they will eventually die from hunger. The choice to them became clearer. Perhaps in surrendering to the Arameans, they might live. Even if the Arameans choose to kill them, the other possibilities meant death for certain (2 Kings 7:3-10). What of an example in movement of mustard faith. The Lord turned a situation around for their good and others.
We invite you to share our posts for encouragement:
For more about crashing out as a term going viral, click this link.