How should disciples approach trials? Should we be proactive or reactive? This devotion looks at how we should prepare for the trials that will inevitably come our way.
Nuggets
- We are to have minds that are ready for action.
- We have to clear our minds.
- We are supposed to be watchful.
- We have to be steadfast in our moral character.
- We only have that hope when we have Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer.
There is something to be said about being prepared. Financial managers suggest that we have the equivalent of several months’ income in a savings account for emergencies. Sometimes, that can happen; for most, that seems impossible.
There are other ways to be prepared for trials. Trials are going to come. Jesus said so. “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world” (Jn. 16 33 CSB).
How can we prepare for trials in our lives? Peter gave us some advice in his first letter. Let’s check it out.
Let's Put It into Context
How many times have we heard that it’s not what happens to you — it is how you react to it?
I know. Some of us may have that one thing that we say our lives would be over if it happened.
I remember years ago I had to have a biopsy done. I was supposed to sing a solo at church like two days later.
The biopsy turned out okay, but I made the comment to one of the ladies that, if it hadn’t turned out benign, I wouldn’t have been able to sing. She took it to mean that I thought I would never be able to sing again if I would have been diagnosed with cancer. What I meant was that, when I am really emotional, it is almost physically impossible for me to sing in front of an audience.
We react different ways for different trials. A factor in that is the amount of warning we receive for the trial. I had no warning that the routine doctor’s visit would turn into something much more.
Some trials we know are coming. We may know what is specifically going to happen, or we may just know something is coming. There are times when we are blindsided.
Either way, how we react tells much about our relationships with God. That is something we can strengthen. In that way, when the trials develop around us, we are secure in His hand.
But how can we do that?
Minds Good to Go
“So then, have your minds ready for action …” (I Pet. 1: 13 GNT)
Peter’s first advice is that we are to have minds that are ready for action. I hear you. How can we be ready when we don’t know what the trial is going to be?
Easy. We know that — whatever it is — God is going to give us victory. “For the LORD your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!” (Deut. 20: 4 NLT). The victory has already been won.
The problem is when God’s definition of victory is different that our definition of victory. Our definition may be we get or keep a certain job. God’s definition is we are employed elsewhere. God’s definition wins.
Look at this verse in the Names of God Bible. “Therefore, your minds must be clear and ready for action. Place your confidence completely in what God’s kindness will bring you when Yeshua Christ appears again” (I Pet. 1: 13 NOG).
We have to clear our minds. That means sweeping out all the doubts and anger. We have to get rid of all our preconceived notions.
Yeah, sometimes it is very difficult to corral the mind. That’s one reason I felt a kick out of the King James Version of this verse. “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind …” (I Pet. 1: 13 KJV).
Yep, strap in. Check all of the laces to make sure they are tight.
But we can also look at that as strap on the armor. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Eph. 6: 11 ESV).
We strap on and completely believe two things.
- God has the situation totally under control.
- “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Rom. 8: 28 NLT).
Because God has it and it is going to be good in the end, we don’t have to run the trial marathon in our heads. We can sit back and be ready.
Let me rephrase that. We have to sit back and let God take the lead, but we have to be ready for action. God is generally going to ask us to do something in the trial.
Yes, it may mean move or change careers. But there is also an always-to-do-list.
- Pray
- Believe
- Praise
No, God doesn’t want us to do — and think that we’ve done it on our own. He wants us to put our faith and trust in Him.
Look at exactly what that means.
- Faith is the belief that the doctrines stated in God’s Word are true, even if we do not understand all aspects of them.
- Trust is confidence that the promises of God are true.
Our minds are focused on Him — not on us. We have to be prepared in the way that imitates Him. Well described that as righteousness, faithfulness, and truth.
Resource
Alert or Sober?
“… Keep alert …” (I Pet. 1: 13 GNT)
Some of the versions translate this as alert (NIV, CEV, GNT) and some as some form of sober (NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV, KJV, CSB HCSB). I am not really sure which one I like best. They both make good points.
I like alert because we are supposed to be watchful. “Keep watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mt. 26: 41 GNT).
There are a couple of things for which we have to watch. Disciples must remain alert to keep on guard, so we don’t sin. We are to watch for Jesus’ return, not knowing when that will be.
To read a related devotion, click the button below.
Yep, that is a 24/7/365 deal. We must continually be on alert.
We have to be alert for trials. What did Pastor Tim say? We are always in one of three conditions: getting ready to enter trials, experiencing trials, or ending trials.
To read a related devotion, click the button below.
But then, I really like sober, too. Sober is a character trait distinguished by self-control, genuineness, and sound moral judgment. It is a calm and temperate disposition. Bird said it was a nobility in character.
Bird pointed out that we have to be diligent. Working out our salvation is not be an easy undertaking. We need to be vigilant to be on guard for attack. We need to stop trying to do things on our own and seek His Will. We have to be steadfast in our moral character.
Resource
To read a related devotion, click the button below.
It also means that we are to do things in moderation. Spurgeon reminded us that this is true in all things.
To me, this is all about being consistent in making sure we are living a holy life. Spurgeon wrote, “… do not fritter away life upon trifles, but live to purpose, with undivided heart, and decided resolution.”
Resource
We can’t be following the worldview fad of the moment. Wells described the opposite of being sober as “foolish, yet conceited; and he is quarrelsome, and hazardous, and he would lie down and go to sleep anywhere.”
Resource
We shouldn’t blow the trials out of proportion. We have to be deliberate in navigating the trials to ensure we are following God.
Our Hope in Jesus
“… and set your hope completely on the blessing which will be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed” (I Pet. 1: 13 GNT)
God said that if we had faith the size of a mustard seed, we could move mountains (Mt. 17: 20). Along with that faith comes hope. Hope is where we desire for something that we believe is obtainable.
Because we have the hope, we believe in the ultimate triumph of Truth. That will be Jesus’ second coming. In this instance, our hope is in eternal life. It is hearing, “… Well done, good and faithful servant! …” (Mt. 25: 21 NIV).
Thomas reminded us we only have that hope when we have Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer. We have to be a child of God, not just a creation made in His image.
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Glossary
That hope should strengthen our confidence in God. Our hope is in His grace.
I love what Thomas said. He wrote, “God will never deal with you upon the ground of merit; He has begun with you in grace, and He will go on with you in grace, therefore ‘hope to the end for the grace.’”
Resource
Our reward isn’t based on what we do or don’t do. It is based on God loving us and providing the way to restore our relationships with Him.
We are going to have trials up until that time. When this age is over, our trials will also be over. We will be rewarded throughout eternity.
Making the Connections
Wow! You know what just popped into my head? I think God, really wants us to be both proactive and reactive.
We’ve got to be proactive. We have to strengthen our relationships with God. We have to be actively seeking Him.
Searching for and Seeking God
Hearing His Word (Rom. 10: 17).
Reading His Word (Rev. 1: 3).
Praying to Him (Heb. 4: 16).
Studying His Word (Ac. 17: 11).
Meditating on His Word (Ps. 1: 1-2).
Memorizing His Word (Ps. 119: 11).
But when the trials come, that is going to be our test. That is when we will have to make up our minds if we are truly going to follow God and obey His laws and commandments.
God isn’t going to pressure us during that time to follow Him. He is going to let us have our free will. Free will is the ability within us to make decisions that determine actions that produce character.
Glossary
Spurgeon wrote that girding our minds teaches us earnestness. He wrote, “A true believer should be ready for suffering or service — ready, indeed, for anything.” We have to be sincere in our desire to live for God.
Resource
How Do We Apply This?
Somehow, I ended up doing the nuggets before the application. Good thing. I think they work.
- We are to have minds that are ready for action.
- We have to clear our minds.
- We are supposed to be watchful.
- We have to be steadfast in our moral character.
- We only have that hope when we have Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer.
The best way to prepare ourselves for trials is to learn all that God is trying to teach us before the trials start. Attend the lecture sections. That will prepare is for the tests.
Father God. Thank You that You instruct us. You sent Your Holy Spirit to dwell in us to teach us and prepare us for when the trials hit. May we always stand firm in our faith in You. We watch for the day that Jesus will return. Amen.
The ABCDs of Salvation
If you have not become a believer in Christ, please read through the
Plan of Salvation and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do.
A – admit our sins
B – believe His Son Jesus is our Redeemer
C – confess God as Sovereign Lord
D – demonstrate that commitment by making any changes needed in our lives to
live the way in which God has called us
The Disciple’s Job Description
What do you think?
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