Faith in the Crisis

By Rev. Dr. Adrian Smith

Faith in the Crisis" by Rev. Dr. Adrian R. Smith artfully navigates the tumult of global calamities, grounding its roots firmly in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic. An emblem of spiritual resilience, this work brilliantly unfolds the essence of unwavering faith in divine providence amidst life’s uncertainties. It is not merely a book but a companionship that guides believers through the shadows of adversity into the light of hope and trust in God’s enduring love and grace.

Rev. Smith orchestrates a symphony of biblical narratives, intertwined with contemporary struggles, cultivating a garden where faith blossoms amidst the crisis. He encourages believers to adorn the masks of hope, social distance themselves from despair, and lockdown fear, illuminating paths towards spiritual triumph and divine trust.

"Faith in the Crisis" is more than a spiritual guide; it is a beacon of hope, resonating with wisdom, encouraging believers to emerge resiliently from the abyss of life’s tribulations, fortified with an enriched and unwavering faith.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798385013265

Rev. Dr. Adrian Smith

Reverend Dr. Adrian Smith is catalyst for positive change, channeling his unyielding commitment through the fervent teaching of scriptures. With over two decades of pastoral experience, he shepherds the congregations at Calvary, Gracehill, and Fulnec Moravian Churches in Barbados. Rev. Smith is not only a loving pastor but also a motivational speaker whose words inspire action and reflection in equal measure. His influential roles extend to serving on various boards and to the academic realm as a lecturer. Rev. Smith is husband to Mrs. Andrea Smith. Beyond his professional engagements, a man of many passions, Rev. Smith relishes in the joy of reading and is an avid fan of cricket, basketball, NFL football and track and field. He possesses a deep affinity for electronic gadgets, always keen on exploring the latest technological innovations.

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Copyright © 2023 Rev. Dr. Adrian Smith.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are taken from the NRSV (New Revised Standard Version Bible), copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

844-714-3454

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Cover photo by The Morgan Media

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are

models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 979-8-3850-1325-8 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-1326-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023922381

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/21/2023

CONTENTS

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Foreword

Preface

Introduction - In times of Crisis

BECAUSE OF COVID 19

Locked Down But Not Locked Out

Social Distancing But Socially Connected

Wearing A Mask But Unmasking

A CALL TO TRUST GOD IN

DIFFICULT TIMES

When it’s about to run out – Hope

When We Lose Everything – Faith

When Things won’t Change – Have Determination

When It Gets Too Much – Pray!

When they Look Down on You – Have Confidence

When People Abandon You – Find Strength in God

MOMENTS OF HOPE

Resilience: An Anchor in Uncertainty

Ministry Encouragement

End Notes

FAITH IN THE CRISIS

As the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the world, the Spirit of God gave me some clear directives. Among the most resonant of these spiritual directives was the call to actively and specifically encourage faith and hope. This culminated in two sets of sermon series leading to the rebranding of Sunday morning services as "Moments of Hope," which form the core of this work.

The journey to this publication was not straightforward. Members like Alfred King would consistently challenge and encourage me to publish my sermons, to put pen to paper. For a time, I resisted. Initially, doubts about my own capability held me back. Later, internal struggles became obstacles. With the daunting responsibility of pastoring three churches, serving on my denomination’s regional leadership board, and managing other duties, the idea of writing or publishing seemed unfeasible.

However, about a year after the first Covid-19 case was reported in Barbados, a conversation with a congregation member illuminated the broader impact of my sermons. She recounted the positive influence my words from the past year had on her family, especially her mother. This member inquired if I had considered compiling my sermons into a book, thinking of those who might not be on social media platforms. She would have been surprised to know that the title of such a book, along with its incomplete chapters, already resided on a flash drive in my office.

In that moment, I felt a deep conviction from the Spirit. What follows in these pages are words inspired by God’s Holy Spirit, intended to provide solace and encouragement through any crisis you might be confronting.

God’s words comforted me, fortified me, enabling not just survival but resilience through the pandemic. They empowered me to shepherd God’s flock during one of the most tumultuous epochs in modern history. This journey has underlined the crucial role of faith, especially when circumstances deteriorate, and the invaluable blessing of unwavering belief against overwhelming odds. My earnest prayer is that this book galvanizes your faith in God as you navigate your own crises.

DEDICATION

I dedicate this work to my parents, Juliette Smith, Reginald and Judy Smith, and to my spiritual mom, Rev. Lillette I George, who modelled not just talking faith, but living by faith.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

• To God the Redeemer and Sustainer of my life. It is in You, God, that I live and move and have my entire being.

• To my wife, Andrea, and my family, whose love and support continues to be the balance in my life.

• To the team of Rev. TG Morrison, Rev. Winston Jones, Simone Cumberbatch, Cheryl C. Harewood and Carol David Kendall whose eyes and critiques have shaped this beautiful work.

• To Mrs. Stacia Mascoll; God’s timing is perfect, and your guidance throughout this process has been invaluable.

• To the wonderful Moravian congregations of Calvary, Gracehill and Fulnec, and by extension, the Moravian Church Barbados Conference as well as the people of God across the world who listened to the original sermons and offered insights into how God spoke to you.

• To you reading this work, thank you!

FOREWORD

You hold in your hand a work of excellence. Faith In The Crisis is no ordinary book. It is a work of excellence which, will cause you to search deep down in your heart and after much inner reflection, cause you to reconsider your Christian walk. Are you truly walking in the Spirt? Have you allowed your trials, tests and challenges to increase your faith in God? What about navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic? Have you personally discovered the positives derived from this global battle which took the lives of many, and no doubt, caused the faith of countless others to increase? If you are a pastor, missionary, a worship leader, congregant, a child and servant of God in any way, have you allowed the lessons from COVID-19 to catapult you into being a better ambassador for Christ? If you have not, this book will show you how to.

You also hold in your hand a book from a respected preacher, husband, father, son and pastor. It is a book which will cause you to pause and think; a book which will take you on a beautiful spirit-led, spirit-filled journey.

To have become affiliated with Reverend Dr. Adrian Smith who, has been a leader in the Moravian Church for the past 21 years, is to have become acquainted with a genuine, committed minister of the Gospel; one to whom God has entrusted the delivery and preaching of His Word, and given the task to shepherd His people, both of which he does with a sense of humility and abiding faith.

Reverend Dr. Adrian Smith, an advocate for truth, has written Faith In The Crisis at a time when constant changes in a changing world propel us to draw closer to God who is the Author and Finisher of our faith.

May this book excite you into trusting God more, and may it strengthen you in your walk with Him.

Happy reading.

Pastor Cheryl C. Harewood,

church leader, author and journalist

PREFACE

In the epic biblical book of Job, the pre-patriarchal figure Job while wrestling with theodicy, was forced to make this unnerving observation: A mortal born of a woman, few of days and full of trouble, comes up like a flower and withers, flees like a shadow and does not last. Job 14:1-2 NRSV. Therefore, like an ancient sage, he sought to impress upon his readers a timeless truth; that intrinsically woven in the DNA of all human beings is the capacity to adapt and adjust to crises (troubles) as they are a part of mortals lived reality and beyond mortal’s control. How crises are handled exposes one’s character, maturity and spirituality.

Those who profess faith in Jesus of Nazareth-God’s Christ ought to be characterized by a living faith while standing boldly in the Faith, hence a justification for the nomenclature ‘Believers’. So, notwithstanding the crises, Believers confront them with fortitude assured that: The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Psalm 46:7 NRSV) and that all will work for the good.

Without question, the recent global pandemic as a direct result of the contagious pathology of the COVID-19 Virus, exposed those who were faith-filled and faithful. While many faced the temptation to succumb to fear or adopt the agenda of powerful entities, believers were challenged to take seriously the Prophet Habakkuk’s admonition: but the righteous shall live by their faith. (Habakkuk 2:4, NRSV). Many Believers were determined to trust the God they served before COVID-19 during COVID-19 and were not disappointed.

During the pandemic a few pastoral and prophetic voices could be heard blaring ‘like trumpets in the dark’ directing all and sundry to the tranquil ‘river of God’. One such Nabi is the Rev Dr. Adrian R. Smith, who intentionally summoned believers to focus on the God in the midst of the crises and not merely upon the crises. Weekly through kerygma, believers were urged to allow their faith to seek understanding and to discern what God in Christ Spirit was speaking to the churches.

Now, these insights, initially shared in one small part of God’s vineyard are being made available to the wider ‘Body of Christ’ in the form of a book. By employing the exegetical tools and acutely aware of the social realities Rev Dr. Adrian Smith has produced a work that