Batten Down the Hatches

I just couldn't resist a storm themed post for today - thanks for the inspiration Sandy.

Living on the coast here in Virginia, we have had our fair share of hurricanes, some more intense than others. We follow the same pattern each time too - a few days out from the storm people begin to go to the grocery stores & stock up on the basics, water, bread, & gas for the generator just in case the power goes out. We board our windows and charge our laptops (again, just in case the power goes out, so we don't die from boredom.) Then we wait for the storm to come, & rest in knowing we are ready to face it.

It's not quite the same in our spiritual lives though is it? The Bible tells us that storms (trials, temptations, & tests) will come (James 1:2) but we don't know exactly when. Because we don't know when to expect them, most of us are unprepared when they do hit. But the Bible teaches us to be prepared always. So, how can we be ready for something that we don't know when, where, or how it will come?

Paul teaches us in Ephesians 6:10-18 to put on the full armor of God daily so that we can stand when spiritual storms come. "Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore,

with truth like a belt around your waist,
righteousness like armor on your chest,
 and your feet sandaled with readiness
for the gospel of peace.
 In every situation take the shield of faith,
and with it you will be able to extinguish
all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
 Take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit,
which is God’s word.

Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints."

If we arm ourselves with each piece daily, when a sudden storm comes we can rest in Christ & depend on Him, knowing that He has prepared us.The only way to be prepared for something unexpected is to always be on the alert, by staying in prayer and in God's Word daily, & surrounding ourselves with others who will go to war alongside us in prayer.

Let me encourage you to put your armor on today and as you begin each day & find other individuals who will do the same to help hold you accountable, so that when your next storm comes you'll be ready in Christ Jesus. And if at the end of reading this, you're not sure how to go about putting your armor on, dig deeper and find a friend (or me) to help explain it. But don't ignore it, because the storm will come. Are you prepared?

A view of King Neptune at the Virginia Beach Boardwalk during Hurricane Sandy