Devotion: How to Be Prepared for Trouble
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)
We all love a good police drama. My favorite episodes are when they call in a guy (or woman) to defuse a bomb or talk down a hostage taker. One guy steps forward, close to danger, willing to defy great odds. He knows he has expertise and preparation the rest of the world doesn’t have to offer.
The expert has high-level training and has honed his skill through hours of practice. He has learned to mitigate the effects of stress on his body. He uses deep breathing to slow his heart rate and steady his hand. Good sleep and healthy living are serious issues to him, knowing he could get a call at any moment.
Why is he this extreme? What has made him willing to sacrifice time and pleasure to prepare with unusual skills? He knows he’s on call and that his phone will ring when disaster strikes. He expects trouble and has prepared to meet it with skill and strength.
I go about my days without ever practicing bomb-defusing skills. I never check my phone expecting to see an urgent call from the local police negotiations unit. They never request my help. My job doesn’t demand expert skills in hostage negotiations or bomb defusing. It makes sense that I don’t have those skills. It would be utterly foolish if I applied for and got a job in special operations and was put on call, because I’d be unprepared.
Many of us live as Christians in a similarly foolish way, but Jesus gave me a job. He told me to prepare. He gave me the tools to be ready when the call lights up my phone.
In John 16, it’s almost as if Jesus is saying, “Don’t be an idiot! You’re going to have pain and hardships—expect them as a part of life. I have overcome the world so you can gear up and engage without fear. It won’t be easy, but I guarantee you won’t be overcome.”
Jesus warned and provided. Now my job is to own my assignment, adjust my expectations, and do the work. I don’t want to be shaking in my boots when trouble comes.
I use three bedrock skills to keep me ready to meet the coming tribulations.
- See God. If he is as big as he says he is, I can be brave. When I’m not, my thoughts about God are wrong and need correcting.
- See me. Like the guy who cuts the red wires on the bomb, a steady hand is my ally. I can learn and practice anxiety-relieving skills. This will give me the capacity to contribute in clutch moments.
- Get comfortable wearing the armor of God. The tools and skills God offers me will be utterly useless if I haven’t learned to use them. It takes long hours of use for a tool to feel comfortable in your hand. Daily practice is where the rubber meets the road and where belief becomes faith.
Jesus told me to expect trouble in this life, and I want to be that guy—the one others can count on, who’s done the work and can come through when everyone needs him. I want to be strong for my family, for my community, and especially for my God.
Some days, however, I expect Disneyland and end up feeling blindsided and being unprepared. No more. Jesus told us we will find peace when we live with honest expectations. A Christian’s life won’t feel like Disneyland. It will be full of tribulations for us and those we love. It’s time for us to live like we know what’s coming. When we do, we can be strong and prepared. We can lead the way and show others where to find peace.
Dear Father, you have overcome the world so I can have peace. Help me to believe you deeply in my soul. I want to put these tools you’ve given me to good use and to be prepared for your call. Amen.
Scripture for Reflection
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” (Ephesians 6:10–18 ESV)
Reach for More
Being prepared requires prep work day after day, some of it mundane. This is true for Christians as much as it is for the bomb unit. Take a look at your habits. Are they keeping you prepared for the tribulations you know will come and offering you peace? What adjustments can you make in your daily habits to work toward this goal?
lives a life that is all about her people. She’s convinced that being Mrs. to one and Mommy to eight will be her most significant way to serve Jesus. She wants to use her life to cheer on and coach the women around her. She is on staff with Project Hopeful working to give a hand up to moms in poverty in Ethiopia. You can find her at loriflorida.com.
Photograph © Toa Heftiba, used with permission
