Life Through the Lens: On being prepared
Kevin Schrapel writes about the power of proverbs to prepare us for painful days.
Last November, Ruth and I were privileged to travel with a convoy of CFS personnel from around Melrose through Mount Remarkable National Park.
What were they doing?
Checking the state of the fire tracks and vegetation.
It had been a reasonably wet year, the foliage was at least waist-high and it was coming into fire season.
They were preparing for if things went wrong.
Do we prepare for when daily life takes a turn – when an occasion, a happening, upsets the routine?
We all expect something is eventually going to happen which will dampen our happiness, our joy.
It might be an illness, a loss of something we consider valuable; maybe a family member or a friend will turn against you and with that turn will come a feeling of rejection and hurt.
What are our thoughts and reactions when we are tempted to do, say or think something we feel in our heart – something we may even know and believe – is wrong?
Do we always have the inner strength to change track, or do we carry on and cause someone else hurt and pain?
Do we prepare ourselves; do we know where to get the power not to carry through and hurt, or not let the pain another might inflict impact more than necessary on our lives?
God tells us his words in the Bible are “for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behaviour; for doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young – let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance – for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise”.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction,” says Proverbs 1:2-7.
This wisdom includes knowing and believing God loves you.
If you trust in the truth of what God’s word teaches about dealing with life, then you will be better prepared when the flames which scorch life come – and we all know they will come.
There are many online tools to help you understand the Bible.
One I use regularly is www.biblegateway.com.
May you enjoy a great life letting God and his love prepare you for whatever might come.
