Prepare for a Storm

You can listen to this week’s podcast here.

I’m one of those that likes to be prepared ahead, way ahead for things that are coming. I remember back to one winter when we were issued a winter storm warning. It was promising to bring many inches of snow. In the south, that can bring an absolute shut-down, as well as power outages, empty grocery store shelves and panic in general. For fear that we could lose our power, I made sure that we had propane in the fireplaces, as well as the gas grill so we could cook out there, if necessary. I made sure the pantry was well stocked, and the freezer was ready with prepared food to get us through a few days.

But, as often happens here, the storm passed and we didn’t get the piles of snow after all. We didn’t have to resort to those things I had stockpiled. But here’s the truth – I never regretted my preparations. None of that was wasted, because there were times in the future that we used everything that was in the pantry and freezer.  Some examples…

• A busy day was made easier by staple items that were already on hand.
• Unexpected company stopping in enjoyed the meats and veggies that I stock-piled!
• Stressful schedules were eased by the remembrance of things I had “tucked away.”

Our spiritual life is the same – we never know when a storm may hit, but Jesus did tell us – In this world you will have tribulation! John 16:33

We have been warned! But are we prepared? Or are we foolishly caught off-guard?

Preparation for storms in life would include a “stocked pantry” or in other words, a heart and mind full of truth. Its shelves hold…

The character of God
Faithful, loving, merciful, kind, good, loving, generous, sovereign.

Promises of God – 
Hebrews 12:5,6 I’ll never leave thee nor forsake thee…
Isaiah 42:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Jer. 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Roman 8:38, 39  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The comfort of God – knowing stories of people in Scripture that made it and their testimony.

Knowing how to pray. 

Being able to look at the future with confidence that He is at work

Scripture tells us, If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Proverbs 24:10 This is a telltale sign that the shelves of our hearts haven’t been adequately prepared.

Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? John 14:9

One writer said,

The Christian that does not grow becomes peevish, fretful and unhappy, like a child that has ceased to grow.

It’s not natural for a child not to grow. Nor is it natural for a Christian not to grow. When we cease growing, we become petty and worried. We’re giving a testimony that we don’t know Christ very well.

We will starve if we don’t fill the pantry of our heart with truth for the storms that are coming.  How do we feed ourselves and prepare ahead of time?

1. Read God’s Word daily for food – not due to obligation or guilt. Ask God to give you a hunger for His Word.
2. Journal what God is teaching you. You’ll be able to look back on it and be encouraged!
3. Share it with others. It will encourage them, and also reinforce the truth in your own mind.
4. Be with people who will pour truth into your life and point you to God. We all need encouragement to push forward, rather than being drained by negative words and attitudes.

In Genesis 18-19 we read that God was bringing judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. (A storm was coming!) Where was Lot? In Sodom. Why was he there? He lived among horrific sin! When God came to tell of the coming judgment, He told Abraham. He was a man who walked with God and had a godly character because of His close walk with the Lord.

Lot had the same opportunity to be with God as Abraham did. But he only chose to be close to godly Abraham, rather than God Himself. He was a good character, but he was weak man living among sin in Sodom and Gomorrah.

Lot’s wife was walking with her weak husband and her life ended up as a failure. She didn’t have enough truth stocked up in her heart to do the right thing.

The truth we learn is – Walk with God and with others who love Him.  Fill your heart with truth so you won’t fall apart in times of crisis.  They are coming in each of our lives if we live another day. 

Are you prepared spiritually? I Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,

Remember, physical food isn’t nearly as beneficial as the spiritual food! My family ended up not needing the emergency storm preparations we’d made, but we still benefited from it.  You will never regret storing up your heart with Truth and you will always benefit from it!

Storms are usually a surprise. Stay prepared.