Prepare to Go Through It
If you have ever seen someone experience the sudden, unexpected death of a loved one, then you know that there is a lot to being mentally and emotionally prepared. You can brace yourself. That’s why it is usually such a mercy to the ones left behind, if there was the sort of illness that prepared them for the inevitable letting go. Going through grief is hard, but if it catches you suddenly and unprepared it can sweep you off your feet. Surely, this is a major reason why the Lord has given us so much advance warning about the times to come.
Be ready and keep ready, you and all your hosts that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them. Ezekiel 38:7
All scripture citations are from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise noted.
End Times Challenge
Since Jesus says that a great tribulation” is coming, the single most important thing we can do is prepare ourselves with the right mental attitude.
Bridal Response
Step 1. Pray!
This must be repeated with every new challenge, because our usual reaction is to look to past experience and our abilities and say, “No way!” or try slugging it out bravely in our own strength. We all-too-easily forget that our strength is in Him, our hope is in Him—not in ourselves. So, if the Holy Spirit is making us aware (waking us up) to a fresh challenge, then the first thing the Lord wants us to do is cast that care on Jesus, because He cares for us enough to help us with it.[i] Pray, therefore, until fear and doubt fall away. Jesus is willing and able to help us with anything, that’s why He guarantees in scripture that if we call on Him, He will rescue/save/help us every time.[ii] How much do you have to call? Cry out in prayer until you receive confidence that He has heard you and the help is on the way.
Step 2. Face the Problem Squarely
We all know by now from the experience of daily life what a difference the right attitude makes. If we think we can put something off (and we can’t), we’ll be unready when it forces itself upon our attention—and thrown into confusion. If we resent doing something we have to do, we’ll go through it badly. If we go at something half-heartedly or with a divided mind, we’ll never find our way through. If, on the other hand, we have accepted that we have to do, we’ll make up our minds to go all the way through it to the other side. This makes a crucial difference!
In order to face this problem squarely, do the homework. Read, understand and pray over the biblical prophetic timeline and look around to see where we are on God’s clock. Listen to the prophets. Abandon the false hope that you’ll be “raptured out of here” and won’t have to go through hard trials. If you cling to that illusion you will be doubly unprepared: you won’t have done any of the other things (listed in this section) to prepare and you won’t have the necessary attitude of a mind made up to persevere through thick and thin. Please heed the prophetic warnings of scripture and “prepare your mind for action” by making up your mind that God and His grace will help you get through anything you have to go through.
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13
Next Way to Prepare
Prepare to Meet Him This could be easily overlooked, especially if we don’t stop to examine what may be hidden away in the depths of our heart. Do we really want His Kingdom to reign directly over us? Are we truly ready to meet Him face to face? There is quite a distance in the Bible between Adam and Eve who hid from God and those whom Paul says, “love His appearing.” Part of being prepared, therefore, is making sure that there is nothing left in our hearts that would secretly want Jesus not to come!
Free Downloads
Signs of the Second Coming (36-page eBook)
Signs of Christ's Return (2-page Handout)
Ways to Prepare (37-page eBook)
