As an older Christian, I offer the following suggestions to those with less experience of the trials of life. When you are facing a crisis:

1. Admit the problem, to yourself and to those you trust. Do so before a problem grows into a disaster. You won’t die of embarrassment, but you might die from the problem.

2. Seek advice from those who are older and wiser. And take it.

3. Ask for help. Be grateful when it comes, and understanding when it doesn’t.

4. Think of the blessings, achievements, and good relationships in your life. And be grateful.

5. Keep working, being productive, and earning money. It will give you a break from worry, productivity contributes to the general welfare of society, it will give you something to feel good about, and money is always useful.

6. Keep looking for practical solutions. Be creative, think outside the box, and consider possibilities you haven’t thought of before.

7. Consider and be willing to accept solutions that might not be ideal, at least temporarily.

8. See this crisis as an opportunity to grow and make improvements.

9. Be patient.

10. Don’t panic.

11. Don’t argue with each other or blame each other.

12. Don’t take your frustration and anxiety out on your spouse, your children, or other innocent bystanders.

13. Love your children (if you have any) and give them extra encouragement and understanding. Consider how the crisis might be affecting them, and look for ways you can help them.

14. Keep the long term in view. Avoid temporary fixes that will create bigger problems in the future.

15. Survive. You can’t always be victorious, and sometimes all you can do is survive, but surviving is important. It makes future possibilities and improvements possible.

16. Don’t do anything stupid—such as taking a high-interest loan that will just postpone a financial problem and make it bigger; gambling; resorting to drugs and alcohol; quitting your job; or abandoning your marriage. These actions will just make things worse.

17. Pray and keep praying.

18. Trust God, no matter what happens