Guaranteed
Guaranteed
Listen, Lord, to my cry for help. Lord God, my strong Savior, You shield my head on the day of battle. (Ps. 140:6–7)
A few summers ago some of the coastal states in the Southeast braced for a major hurricane. While many people decided to evacuate, they first took time to board up their homes and businesses. They knew the storms were coming and wanted to protect the places where they lived and worked. Two days later thousands were homeless, having lost everything to wind and water.
As I prayed for the people who were suffering because of the hurricane, I thought about the storms that come to us all. Just as we know hurricanes will hit America’s coastlines from time to time, we don’t always know when they will come or what they will harm. We only know that storms are guaranteed.
I asked the Lord to help me prepare for those difficult times when I will go through trials and storms. I prayed for wisdom to know how to prepare and for the strength to endure whatever storms He allows to come into my life. I also asked Him to shape my character and to help me grow during difficult times.
While some people believe trouble will somehow bypass us as Christians, that’s not what the Bible teaches. Jesus said, “You will have suffering in this world” (John 16:33). Since we know these storms will come, how can we prepare for them? First, stay connected to the Lord. Take time each day not only to lay your requests before Him but also to listen to Him. Second, stay in the Word. God speaks to His people through His Word (Ps. 119:105). And although pain sometimes makes people feel like isolating themselves, this is an unwise move. Stay connected to other Christians and accept help when it’s needed.