preparing our hearts
John Havener December 23rd, 2006
Imagine waking up to the wail of your smoke detector and having to step out of your home that is rapidly being engulfed in flames. You grab a few things after you know the children are ok, and wait for someone to come to save your cherished house and possessions. By the time the fire department arrives, it is too late… years of work and sacrifice are now acrid smoke in your noses and ashes under your feet. You and the family are going to have to start over… can you “handle it” emotionally?
This senario or a variation of it may happen again and again in the days shortly to come. I have been “preparing” for years, but when hit by Hurricane Ivan, a fierce storm, I was strangly unprepared in mind and heart. I had the things suggested for going through the worst kind of storm, and then some…but I was unprepared inwardly! I did not spontaneously pray as things got worse, and had to be reluctantly drawn into seeking God by my wife. Others were riding out the storm with us, but I was of very little help spiritually. I knew early on that trees had punched holes in my roof, but after the storm, when I looked around and saw part of the roof gone, other buildings torn up, and massive trees down, a cloud of depression quickly swept over me. I was anxious, no, urgent to get things fixed up and back to where they were… but that cannot happen quickly after a major disaster. The emotional and spiritual low lasted a long time and lifted
only slowly. Although I knew I was “born again” and going to heaven, I was beginning to learn that the greatest preparation for survival and service was not about physical things but about preparing our minds and hearts to walk closely with the Lord Jesus through whatever.
Take a worst case situation…along with physical loss, family members or dear friends are being lost, perhaps abused first and then martyred. Have you thought about your own mortality? Allow God to begin to build you up and reassure you about the reality of heaven for those who have entrusted thier lives to Jesus Christ. Meditate on Scriptures that have sustained the saints and martyrs down through the centuries, such as Jesus’ promise, “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. (Matthew 10:28-31 NLT) Or consider Paul’s frame of mind, “It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. (Philippians 1:20-23 ESV)
Reevaluate your attitude toward things for there is so much covetness is the world that we have valued possessions far more than we should. Jesus said, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15 ESV) Check your attitude in the smaller losses or challenges to share that occur. We can learn to say like Job, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. (Job 1:21-22 ESV) Or grow to a point Paul reached, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
(Philippians 4:11-13 ESV) Develop a growing trust and reliance on our Lord to “supply all your needs”… it will prove to be immensely helpful in times of serious trouble.
It is helpful also to consider the emotional/ mental/ and spiritual vunerabilites of yourself and your family and begin to strengthen these areas now through conversation, Scripture based faith building and more experience with the Holy Spirit. In addition, the more you know about and are ready to employ specific survival skills or some realities about serving in disaster, the more peaceful and confident you will become. A huge truth about any form of preparation is to start now, even if you are taking small steps. Anything of significance done now to prepare will be worth far more than frenzied efforts to catch up in the crunch. Most people cannot catch up to the demands of the situation once it gets going… they just suffer through, or worse! Being inwardly prepared, or somewhat prepared also frees us up to serve. We can see the needs of others if we are not emotionally consummed with our personal situation. We may be able to hear the Lord and with His help discern who to help and what we can actually do for them.
Pace yourself in all aspects of survival and service. You will learn quickly that you can wear yourself and others out trying to push and make things happen fast. They won’t happen fast. Trust God and move ahead steadily. In his beautiful book, “I am proud of you/ my friendship with Fred Rogers”, author Tim Madigan quotes “Mr. Rogers” as he wrote about the aftermath of a violent, damaging storm in Pittsburg, Pa. “…There were alot of damaged trees all over the streets. It took me an hour and fifteen minutes to get home from work, a trip that takes seven minutes at most… In fact, as I was driving home, running into one street after another that had been blocked by fallen trees, I thought, “You can choose to let this bother you or let this be an adventure and welcome the challenge. Happily, with plenty of gas in my car and some gorgeous ancient music sung by “Anonymous 4″ I inched my way home: content to be alive and well and blessed by a wonderful life.” This was a fellow human being with a mind and heart prepared for times of stress!
What do you think are the most important scriptures to hide in our hearts as confessions of our faith for ourselves and for on-lookers in preparation for “these times?”
1 John 4:15
1 John 5:11
John 3:16-17
John 10:27-28
Romans 6:23
?
Aimee, this is an outstanding question which I will respond to shortly in a post. For starters, the best Scriptures would depend on whether or not the individual had a genuine, saving relationship with Jesus Christ. For those who know the Lord Jesus, Scriptures that build faith in His active Presence in our lives, and that he will care and provide for us seem helpful. Also Word that promises our destiny in heaven may offer hope in times of stress. I will give some suggestions with specific Scriptures soon.