Readiness For The Rough Times
1 Peter 1:13-16
You never want it to happen, but when tragedy or difficult trials strike your life, you must be prepared. Your reactions to these situations demonstrate to God and others if you really believe what you confess to believe.
Here are five steps to help prepare you for rocky times:
Remove all hindrances to your daily walk. Get rid of anything that’s distorting your mind and attitude. If you can’t see and hear God clearly, then you’re not going to be able to obey Him.
Resolve to keep balanced in your judgment. Don’t look for a temporary solution to fix your problem, even though that’s your natural tendency. Trust God to give you discernment.
Recognize that your hope is in Christ. When you begin suffering, you should remain joyful, knowing that God has a design and purpose behind this experience.
Resist the temptation to return to your former lifestyle. Your old life before Christ was one of fulfilling your desires, a life that was empty. Don’t fall back into that trap.
Realize that holiness is the only acceptable goal for the believer. We are holy as a result of our submission to the Holy Spirit, not through our actions.
When we prepare ourselves for the rough times this way, our faith won’t be shaken.
Daily Devotions with Dr. Charles Stanlley, InTouch Ministries