Be prepared

Photo by Phillip Allen

Be prepared!  That can mean different things to different people.  During COVID-19, some people think this means to have 20 packages of toilet paper and an extra freezer full of food.  To others, it means making face masks to help protect others.  It may mean reading articles on the virus and what is being done to combat it.  We might change our grocery shopping hours or order our medication refills early.

Some people feel no need to be prepared.  They feel things are blown out of proportion and life should go on as usual.  They do not wear a mask in public, stop close social contact, or wash their hands after being at a store.  Their thoughts may change if someone close to them dies from the virus.  What is the balance between being prepared and not living in a constant state of fear and anxiety?  How can we turn this into an opportunity to grow and be a witness to others?

This is not just about handling a crisis in our lives.  There is something greater we need to be prepared to handle.  We are in a spiritual battle.  This is something we all need to take seriously as we prepare to do battle.  We need to be aware of the enemies plans and work together as a team.  We need to train for battle, and most importantly, we need to wear the armor God has supplied for us.

Dr. Michael Sprague shares a great story with us on this topic.

It is important to assess what is real and how we are being affected.  We need to recognize our own thoughts and feelings so we can deal with them constructively. Denying where we are at keeps us from making needed changes.  We need to reach out to others around us to support them in ways we can.  We may be separated physically, but there are still multiple ways to stay in contact with others.  Hopefully, our attention is drawn to how to help others through this difficult time after we have done what is necessary to be emotionally healthy ourselves.

There will always be new challenges in our lives.  The most important preparations involve our relationship with God.  As we draw close to Him, He supplies all we need for anything we must face.  It is important to be prepared.  It is important to recognize we are in a battle.  If we are growing continually in our knowledge of God, we will not be caught off guard.  Recognizing His great power and unfailing love gives us the confidence and security to deal with trials.

Ephesians 6:13 contains battle instructions. "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." (ESV)