Jesus faced his toughest test in Gethsemane.
So how did he cope? We can see his crisis management plan in Mark 14: 32-42.
Get your closest friends alongside you
Jesus only asked Peter, James and John to support him in Gethsemane.
The other eight disciples had a passive role. ‘Sit here,’ Jesus told them. Sometimes, it helps, just having people sitting with you.
Get alone with God
There’s only so much friends can do. And they may let you down. Jesus’ did.
God will get you through any crisis. Not conferences, books, MP3s or even friends.
They may play part. But survival depends on your first-hand friendship with God.
Get prayer support
Jesus wanted his friends to pray, although it’s not clear if they ever did. They were too busy sleeping. But that’s OK.
God will use your crisis to build a closer relationship with you, not your friends.
It’s your prayers that really matter, not other people’s.
Pray real prayers
A crisis will sort out your prayer life. Jesus cried out in distress. He was troubled. Anguished. He dripped blood. He was honest about his struggles.
God likes prayers like that. Tell him how you really feel. Your deepest fears. Everything. Especially the mucky stuff.
The weaker you are, the stronger he’ll be.
Pray some more real prayers
Jesus prayed the same thing twice in Gethsemane – see v39.
You will probably need to do the same. Minimum.
Do it God’s way
Some crises last longer than they need to, because we are not prepared to change.
If you set your will against God, there will only be one winner. And the crisis won’t be resolved until you back down.
Sorry. His rules, not mine.
Face the issue head on
After Jesus had finished praying, he went to meet his betrayer.
He didn’t believe it flight or fight. He gave his betrayer a friendly greeting instead.
If you follow this formula, things may get worse.
Huh?
Yes, get worse. You won’t find that in Spiritual Victory books.
Jesus’ horrible hour in Gethsemane led to torture and execution.
Using Jesus’ crisis plan means leaving the outcome to God. Things might get better. But they might seem worse.
Either way, we’ll be ready, because he’s pre-authorised our card with the heavenly resources we need.
Human history went wrong in a garden when Adam and Eve left God out.
But recovery started in another garden, when Jesus brought God in to restore what had been lost.
If you’re in a crisis, meet God in your grim garden of despair.
He will start to turn it into the place where your resurrection story begins.