Note: This week's article is written by the BibleQuestions.Org webmaster, Jeff Cox, since Alan is temporarily unavailable.
Introduction. What do a homeowner’s insurance policy, a roadside emergency kit in the trunk of our car, self-defense training, and a “rainy day” fund have in common? Simply speaking, they are representative of steps taken in preparation for the potential of something going wrong. Many adverse things can happen suddenly and unexpectedly in our physical lives. As a result, there is much wisdom behind the encouraging catch-phrase “Be Prepared”. And many of us do prepare via a wide variety of means. The same could be said about sudden, adverse events in our spiritual lives as well. What kind of parallels about sudden challenges in our physical and spiritual lives can we draw to learn some valuable lessons about our Christian living?
Introduction. What do a homeowner’s insurance policy, a roadside emergency kit in the trunk of our car, self-defense training, and a “rainy day” fund have in common? Simply speaking, they are representative of steps taken in preparation for the potential of something going wrong. Many adverse things can happen suddenly and unexpectedly in our physical lives. As a result, there is much wisdom behind the encouraging catch-phrase “Be Prepared”. And many of us do prepare via a wide variety of means. The same could be said about sudden, adverse events in our spiritual lives as well. What kind of parallels about sudden challenges in our physical and spiritual lives can we draw to learn some valuable lessons about our Christian living?
Sudden Physical Adversity. An innumerable list of things can suddenly go wrong around us. Sometimes we see it on the evening news while other times it can happen to a close relative, friend, or even us. Here is brief list of examples:
Much Wisdom Behind the Phrase “Be Prepared”. Most are of these don’t allow you to “get ready” once they start since they can occur quickly with little warning. Like hitting a patch of “black ice” when driving, one moment life is all sunshine and roses while the next moment you’re spinning out of control.
Although popularized as the Boy Scouts’ motto, the need to be prepared for the unexpected is second nature to many people, including the military, health care professionals, and emergency responders. When seconds count, being prepared may make the difference between life and death.
How? Depending on the event, there are many ways to get ready for the unexpected. Here are four ways of looking at them.
Many Challenges In Our Spiritual Life Happen Suddenly As Well. You might ask “What do you have in mind?” Here are some examples:
Much Wisdom Behind the Phrase “Be Prepared” In The Spiritual World. As with sudden physical challenges, it is often too late to get ready for spiritual challenges once the event starts to unfold. And just like with the physical, being prepared spiritually can make the difference between life and death (spiritually speaking).
However, unlike many who prepare for sudden, unexpected physical adversity, the need to prepare for sudden, unexpected spiritual adversity is not necessarily widely recognized. A person may be well prepared with multiple types of insurance policies, have emergency training, and is prudently prepared for physical challenges, but be ill-prepared for spiritual challenges. Why? Even among those who profess belief in Jesus and the scriptures. Some potential reasons include:
Biblical Examples. As we look through the pages of the Bible, we see many examples of people who were poorly prepared to face sudden spiritual challenges and the resulting adverse results. Likewise, we can find well-prepared people and the positive outcomes they had. We would be wise to note their examples and incorporate this knowledge into our lives. In part 2 of our study, we’ll examine both kinds of examples along with how we can better prepare for spiritual challenges we might face in the future.
- Environmental catastrophes (like tornados, lightening, earthquakes, blizzards, avalanches)
- Accidents (like car wrecks, plane crashes, house fires)
- Health mishaps (like falls, slipped disk, stroke, heart attack, allergic reaction, accidental poisoning)
- Confrontations (like with an irate customer, road rage, active shooter in the workplace/school)
- And many, many others
Much Wisdom Behind the Phrase “Be Prepared”. Most are of these don’t allow you to “get ready” once they start since they can occur quickly with little warning. Like hitting a patch of “black ice” when driving, one moment life is all sunshine and roses while the next moment you’re spinning out of control.
Although popularized as the Boy Scouts’ motto, the need to be prepared for the unexpected is second nature to many people, including the military, health care professionals, and emergency responders. When seconds count, being prepared may make the difference between life and death.
How? Depending on the event, there are many ways to get ready for the unexpected. Here are four ways of looking at them.
- Think ahead – “What if” - “What could go wrong?”
- Insurance for your car, home, health, disability
- Checking your car and weather prior to a trip
- Having a smoke alarm and fire extinguishers in your home
- Get trained
- Scout’s merit badges related to emergency preparedness, lifesaving, first aid
- Driver’s safety classes
- CPR classes
- Practice
- Fire drills in school/work
- Flight/driving simulators
- Pay attention
- Avoid “distracted driving” and “drive defensively”
- “Be aware of your surroundings” when alone in public
Many Challenges In Our Spiritual Life Happen Suddenly As Well. You might ask “What do you have in mind?” Here are some examples:
- Sudden exposure to sinful temptation
- Skimpy summertime clothing, TV commercials
- Free tickets to a favorite entertainment – that would interfere with worship services
- Someone cuts you off in traffic and you’re tempted to “let them have it”
- Getting into an unexpected, heated argument
- Unexpected opportunity to do good and/or talk with someone about spiritual matters
- Casual conversation at work or with friends, neighbors, relatives
- Upset coworker, friend, etc. needing consolation
- Neighbor having difficulties who needs counseling
- Sudden confrontation over your faith in God
- Jokes about how you are dressed, language, unwillingness to “party”
- Conflict over a questionable/sinful assignment at work
- Exercising parental control over disobedient children in public
Much Wisdom Behind the Phrase “Be Prepared” In The Spiritual World. As with sudden physical challenges, it is often too late to get ready for spiritual challenges once the event starts to unfold. And just like with the physical, being prepared spiritually can make the difference between life and death (spiritually speaking).
However, unlike many who prepare for sudden, unexpected physical adversity, the need to prepare for sudden, unexpected spiritual adversity is not necessarily widely recognized. A person may be well prepared with multiple types of insurance policies, have emergency training, and is prudently prepared for physical challenges, but be ill-prepared for spiritual challenges. Why? Even among those who profess belief in Jesus and the scriptures. Some potential reasons include:
- Denial - “It won’t happen to me.”
- Excuses - “God will understand if I mess up. After all, I’m only human.”
- Lack of accountability - "Based on ‘Once Saved, Always Saved’, all my future sins have been forgiven, so I don’t need to worry about preparing for the future.”
- Over-confidence - “I can handle it.”
- Mis-placed trust - "I can let the preacher/pastor/priest handle it. That is their responsibility.”
Biblical Examples. As we look through the pages of the Bible, we see many examples of people who were poorly prepared to face sudden spiritual challenges and the resulting adverse results. Likewise, we can find well-prepared people and the positive outcomes they had. We would be wise to note their examples and incorporate this knowledge into our lives. In part 2 of our study, we’ll examine both kinds of examples along with how we can better prepare for spiritual challenges we might face in the future.