Jesus promised we would have trouble. He promised! (see Sure Things.)
Since we know we will have trouble, what do we do to prepare for trouble?
In order to face trouble with confidence and trust, we must have our heads and our hearts aligned with our loving, sovereign Lord.
Head Knowledge
Almighty God is sovereign over everybody, everything, all the time. While we are responsible for our own actions, God accomplishes His purposes, working all things in accordance with His will.
Our sovereign God loves His children. He adopted us who believe in Christ Jesus and have received Christ as Lord.
The entire Bible is full of proofs about our loving, sovereign God. For help in learning this, see When Storms Come: Will You Be Ready?
Heart Knowledge
It is possible to intellectually know something without placing confidence, reliance, or trust in that fact. Ask yourself:
“Do I trust God’s sovereignty and love?”
“Do I really believe that He loves me and controls my circumstances?”
“Do I have some doubts about whether or not He really loves me?”
“Do I worry that not quite everything is under His control?”
You must move from knowledge to trusting in order not to fear bad news and keep on track through your storms. Your heart has to believe as well as your head. Informed trust is essential if you are to become ready for anything.
To move from head to heart, continue to study the Bible and learn more about God. Simultaneously, practice what you learn. For example, determine to see God’s loving hand and presence in everything that happens.
This does NOT mean to be passive when trouble strikes! Pray about what you are to do.
Rehearse
Whether or not you see trouble on your horizon, rehearse how you will react. Habakkuk did. God revealed to him that Israel was going to be destroyed, and Habakkuk determined, no matter what, that he was going to worship his sovereign God.
Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my high places. (Habakkuk 3:17–19)
Memorize
Memorize key verses about God’s sovereignty and love to help move head knowledge to heart knowledge, making it easier to respond to trouble with trust.
Summarize your knowledge in your own words.
Since God created us, He knows what is best for us. Because He is love, He wants what is best for us. Because He is sovereign, He has the power to make it happen.
Trust Him.
