by: Sandy Domelle
There will be times in life when we will all face a crisis. Our children need to see that we have the wisdom to know how to handle a crisis when it comes. Whether it is a life struggle, home emergency, or a sickness or death, how you handle the crisis will give stability and comfort to your children. This helps them with their future and shows them how to manage a crisis in their life.
In 1 Samuel 25, we see the story of Abigail, a lady who wisely handled a crisis that saved her family’s life. When her husband wasn’t wise enough to treat David and his men kindly, she was smart enough to handle the crisis without making her husband look bad. Here are several thoughts from her life that will help you in a crisis.
1. She was a wise woman.
If we want to have the wisdom to help in any situation, we must be in God’s Word. I love studying out the word “wisdom” in the Bible because God gives us so many verses to help us understand how to obtain the wisdom we need. Her wisdom was evident in a crisis. She didn’t have time to talk it over with others; she had to act quickly. That’s why it’s so important to have your walk with God. When things come at you quickly, you will have the wisdom to deal with things. There are times you need to make spur of the moment decisions. In those split seconds of time, are when the most critical decisions are made. Abigail didn’t have time to sit and ponder; she had to make a decision immediately.
2. She was bold.
David was a powerful man who easily could have destroyed her family. Abigail was wise enough to act boldly to protect her family and David’s reputation. David commented on her wise boldness in verses 32-33 by saying, “…Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.” There are times when ladies need to be bold, but they need to be wise enough not to allow their boldness to usurp a man’s authority.
3. She brought peace to the situation.
Her wisdom brought peace to this stressful situation. Verse 35 says, “So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.” When children are arguing and fighting throughout the day, you need to have enough wisdom to stop the skirmishes so that you can keep peace in the house. You will bring harmony to your marriage if you are wise in handling disagreements you have with your husband. Instead of using sharp words or losing your temper when tense situations arise, be wise with your responses. Be the peacemaker and not the instigator.
4. She thought quickly and moved on her decision.
Her decision was life or death for her family, and she was willing to stand when her husband was weak and didn’t care. If your husband isn’t strong, do you still stand strong? Are you wise enough to move without making your husband feel inferior. You can still handle situations and be submissive to your husband’s leadership if you learn how to think quickly and make wise decisions. Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” If you read God’s Word daily, you will find that God’s wisdom gives you the knowledge to move on your decision during your crisis.
5. She knew how to diffuse the situation.
Abigail was wise enough to gather the food for David and his men which diffused the heated situation. Proverbs 13:10 says, “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” Do you ask God for His wisdom to diffuse those contentious situations? Saying the right thing at the right time can stop a crisis situation. Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Let your words be that “word fitly spoken” by using God’s wisdom to diffuse those situations that will harm your family. There are going to be times when your husband won’t be there to handle the crisis. In those times, you need to be wise enough to handle the situations yourself. You will only have that wisdom by spending time with God.
Abigail was a strong woman who knew how to use her strength and wisdom during a crisis. She didn’t usurp her husband but did it with grace and dignity. When your crisis comes, will you be prepared?