Be Prepared for Disasters: Spiritually First, Then Physically

Word-Of-The-Day: ‘(13) Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. (14) Do everything in love.’ (1 Corinthians 16:13-14); ‘Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.’ (1 Peter 5:8)

I understand that I may discuss many subjects that one could consider to be ‘doom’.  However, I do not what us to focus on what could happen and become frozen in fear or deny these things could happen.  Out of the growing list of things that could happen, something will.  It may not happen to the degree of utter doom, but we need to be prepared for the ‘worst case scenario’ so that we are standing on the other side and able to assist others if necessary. 

Part of the preparation is to be Spiritually stocked up; much of the disasters that can befall us are going to be used by Satan to draw us away from God.  As important it is to have extra food and water in your stock, we also need to be ‘stocked up’ in Godly knowledge to prevent us from falling into a trap that will take us away from the Lord’s design for our lives.  Anything that can be used to weaken our Faith with Christ will be used.  Reduce that which will weaken your Faith and the Faith of others. 

Your physical preparations are a form of Spiritual preparation; the blessings of Florida Baptist Disaster Relief were the result of their preparations in having tarps, saws, and food that in turn gave hope to those who were initially shocked by the damage inflicted by Ian.  A warm meal or a tarp covering a leaky roof gave Hope to those who were in need, and several turned to Christ as a result.  Would they have turned to Christ if FBDR showed up empty handed?  As much as we would like to say ‘yes’, it was better that FBDR was prepared to negate the physical and Spiritual attacks resulting from Ian than to have them be unprepared.  Deeds can often carry a stronger message than just words, and the Word has greater impact if it is backed by deeds.

Nothing should cause fear in the Believer.  The Lord has provided wisdom to see potential pitfalls which lies before us and the means to overcome those obstacles.  It is natural we do fear the unknown; it was scary with Ian blowing that day, it will be scary when we hear news of the next catastrophic event.  But that fear should be tempered with the knowledge that Jesus is with us, He will not forsake us, and that He will provide for us!