Crisis happens to all of us. It is draining and exhausting. Crisis will often test what we are made of, will test the limits of what we can handle, and will force us to respond.

Crisis doesn't always mean something bad has happened, but it often means you are placed in a situation of tremendous pressure.

When I think of crisis, my experience is limited to my life and what has happened thus far. I have read about horrific events in the news and seen devastation in the lives of friends around me, but those crisis have not been mine.

Recently, I experienced a crisis. My daughters were playing in the backyard when I heard my youngest scream in pain. I knew that she wasn't crying because she wanted something, she was hurt. I ran outside and what I saw was my youngest daughter's finger caught between the chain and gear of her bike and had partially severed it. I was faced with a crisis.

How do I get the bleeding to stop? I need to get my daughters in the car and to the hospital. I need to remain calm. I got to find a parking space at the hospital. I need clothes for my daughter. I got to stop the bleeding. Will her finger be able to be fixed? I have to keep everyone calm.

These were all thoughts that ran through my head. Thankfully, the doctors stitched up her finger and it will heal 100%. That being said, I had a choice in that moment of crisis to run, to shut down, become angry with my oldest daughter, etc; Yet I knew Jesus cared and that was able to give me strength to face the crisis and respond accordingly.

Jesus is God who is no stranger to crisis. I have often thought about what did Jesus feel in the garden of Gethsemane the night before He was crucified? I can only assume tremendous anxiety and yet His strength did not just come from within himself, but from God the Father.

We have a wonderful God, who seeks to know us, help us and weather the storms of life, crisis, big or small. Your crisis is relevant to you, but ask the question,

When crisis hits, who do you trust?

It's inevitable, at some point you will feel inadequate.

Did you do enough? Did you do the right thing? Did you do wrong, again? Did you say something stupid?

These are all questions that at some point we all think about. Understanding what inadequacy is and where it comes from is important, especially if you're someone who feels worthless much of the time.

Inadequacy is a feeling that comes from comparisons. Maybe you work with a co-worker who always gets their work done faster than you. Or you have a family member who seems to get more praise because of the work they accomplish. These situations can drive us, if we're not careful, to compare ourselves to these individuals, tear ourselves down and feel inadequate.

The next step in dealing with inadequate feelings is to know your limits and strengths. Maybe you can't do as much as the next person or maybe you're doing too much and you need to slow down. Whichever the case may be, you're not less of a person for only being able to do so much.

Finally, are you someone that is very self-critical, has a low opinion of yourself, constantly seeking approval from others? Ask yourself, "What is my identity rooted in?"

Have you ever had a moment in your day or week where you look in the mirror and you just don't like what is being reflected?

Maybe you hate the fat on your stomach or it's not defined enough. Maybe you have liver spots on your hands. Maybe you're losing your hair or your eyesight is going. Whatever it is, you've made a mental note about some physical attribute that you consider ugly or undesirable.

I have heard friends, family and clients all say, "I just need to be ok with how I look" or "I just need to love my body"

Those are nice sayings, and well intentioned, but in my opinion they are just that and nothing more. Asking, "How do I love the body I was given?" may be a better question to start with. Loving your body starts with an understanding that it, your body, was created by a God that tremendously loves you.

Another question that you can ask, "How do I find beauty in my physical features I find ugly?" Can beauty be found in what you can consider ugly?

By asking these questions, you begin to take steps forward to actually loving the body God gave you, instead of being disgusted by parts of it.

Making time to hold your kids can be difficult and sacrificial to do. It interrupts your life and makes you focus on something other than yourself. It would be much easier to give your kid an iPad so they will go away and not bother you.

This morning I was up earlier than normal when my daughter heard me moving about through the house and decided she would get up too. She came and stood next to me. Without saying anything, I knew she wanted me to hold her. I put down what I was doing and held my 2 year old daughter on my lap for the next 15mins.

My daughter doesn't always understand the words that I use because she is 2, but she does understand that her daddy loves her when she is held and hugged. I thought to myself, what an interesting lesson.

Children are shaped by what their parents say and do, often times it is more the latter. Having parents that hug and show physical affection to their child can make the difference in how they grow and develop.

Words of encouragement, affirmation and admonishment are all important, but often times giving hugs and being physically present is more healing, reassuring and meaningful, especially to your little ones.

Adolescents/teens:

are incredibly perceptive of how others may view them. This is why identity is such a significant topic for this age group.

Mistakes will happen. Give them opportunities to express their feelings. Show them they are still loved. Create a culture of redemption and forgiveness.

Giving verbal affirmation and encouragement. This helps them feel good about their self when they accomplish something or anything

Ask questions. Be involved in their life. Show them you care by creating structure and boundaries as well as allowing for independence. Teach them, don't control them.

Are you a talker? Do you spend more time listening to what others have to say? Are you passive-aggressive? Show little emotion in conversation? Are you passionate in how you talk? Are you a hostile communicator? Do you have lots of "walls" up when talking with loved ones?

Whether you communicate with you words, silence, actions or body language, the way you choose to communicate says a lot about who you are.

Questions to consider:

What kind of communicator are you?

What do you get out of your communication style? How do you benefit?

How is your communication style improving the relationships in your life? How is it disrupting your relationships?