With al Qaeda terrorist attacks imminent and recent U.S. Global Travel Alert, threats of terror and rumors of wars can strike fear in people’s minds. It’s the fear of the unknown, fear of imminent doom, and the fear of vulnerability that puts the shiver in our spine.
Where’s the next attack? Who will suffer? What will happen to our lives, our family, our economy? These are all legitimate questions to wrestle with, both with yourself and your loved ones feeling the same fears and looking to you for answers.
I believe a God’s man must be ready for anything. That may sound impossible. Yet, I believe God has provided the plan and tools to equip men to handle any threat, circumstance, and ultimately, fear.
You may have heard the acronym for FEAR, False Evidence Appearing Real, right? For many, perhaps it should be Forget Everything And Run! But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s a practical step-by-step action plan to prepare yourself for virtually any threat and fear that could impact your life. You may recognize the following model I use for Every Man Ministries because I believe it’s a critical foundation and process for God’s man to be ready for anything.
Get In. Get in the family of God, by accepting the free gift of eternal life that comes with knowing His son Jesus who died as a sacrifice to wash away your sin, so a relationship with God could be established. In other words, make God your father and allow him to adopt you into His family.
Then, Get In a men’s group. Start learning about God’s love with another man or group who follow Jesus because you’re walking on new spiritual baby legs that require support from others who are seeking to nurture the same relationship with God. We’ve provided studies and materials to facilitate this growth process by using our “Ignite Plans” where you can get all-access, unlimited teaching to review yourself and with others.
In Matthew 6, verses 25-34, Jesus point blank says “don’t worry about your life”, instead focus on knowing God.
In Philippians 4:6, the Bible says simply to pray about everything. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
So, I’d sum it up with “don’t worry about anything, just pray about everything.”
Get Healthy. Following Jesus means change, it means taking risks, it means letting go of some of the past problems, letting go of some unhealthy relationships and letting go of the worldly cultural norms. To get healthy, both in mind and spirit, you need to know God and “renew your mind.” How do you do that? Read and consider his Word—the Bible. Pray with vulnerability, honesty and seek Him first. This takes some discipline, teaching and daily surrendering your will. But it has the best payoff!
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Get Strong. After getting in and getting healthy, we need to grow spiritually and get strong in the Lord! It won’t take long to realize God is going to test your character at home, at work, and at play. These are tests God uses to shape you, and prepare you for your next season in life.
So, to get strong, you will need to flex your faith muscles by reading and hearing the Word and discovering God’s plan for you. Faith is not just a value, but an action. You will soon, if not already, feel God pushing you to do something, say something or help someone that, in typical circumstances, you wouldn’t think be possible. But taking a step of faith, without knowing the exact outcome, is how you grow stronger.
Get Going. The next tip to being ready for anything is to be on the offensive! The best defense is often the best offense. Be proactive in your faith, consistent in nurturing your relationship with God and then share it! This amazing love, peace, joy and strength is not meant to be kept a secret between buddies. Consider James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Here are a few examples:
2 Corinthians 5: 17-21 says in effect that as a God’s man, your old life has gone and your new life is here. We have been reconciled with God, who now does not count our sins against us. This is the message we are to bring and model. In verse 20, it says that “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors…”—we are representatives of God, and sent to share this message of hope and love.
In Matthew 28: 19-20, Jesus’s final exhortation was to “Go and make disciples of all nations…and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And, surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Notice it doesn’t say to go to church and sit in a pew — although that is important. He calls us to take action!)
The one thing—or person—to fear…is GOD! It’s completely healthy to have a respectful fear of God. In fact, the Bible says, it’s the beginning of wisdom.
Want to be ready for anything? Get in. Get healthy. Get strong. Get going and fear God!
For the original article, visit everymanministries.com.
Kenny Luck, founder of Every Man Ministries and Men’s Pastor at Saddleback Church, provides biblically-oriented teaching and leadership for men and pastors seeking relevant, timely material that battle cultural, worldly concepts threatening men and God’s men. Follow Kenny and Every Man Ministries now on Facebook, Twitter (@everyMM) and YouTube.
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