Two years ago, two tremendously powerful hurricanes in a month's time saw devastation along the Gulf coast like never before. I was doing some teaching in the Rio Grande Valley the days before Hurricane Rita struck and was beginning to think I wouldn't make it out of the airport. The airports in both Corpus Christi and Houston had closed and I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to fly out of other southern airports. When it was clear that the violent storm was turning more toward the north, folks on the southern Texas coast were heard to be saying, "We dodged the bullet this time." Reporters in the Galveston area said later that that city, "Dodged the bullet again." At times, we do "dodge the bullet" of trouble that is headed our way, but sooner or later, it comes, doesn't it. I need to know what to do when spiritual tragedy strikes as well?

1. Be Watchful. Just as we are encouraged to board up, pack up, get extra water, batteries and food, we also must be ready to pack our faith! The New Testament is full of statements about our need for readiness. "Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come."-Matthew 24:42. Also, we are encouraged to "be alert and self-controlled" so this day will not "surprise us as a thief,"-1 Thess. 5:4-8.
2. Be Equipped. Just as it is vital for families to be ready with food and fuel, clothing and essential goods, the Christian must be fully equipped to meet the challenges that come whenever one cannot "dodge the bullet." We are encouraged to "put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground."-Eph. 6:13-17.
3. Be Prayerful. During the days before the hurricane, I was in a lot of meetings. Without fail, people worded prayers both privately and publicly concerning safety in midst of the storm. One of the things the apostle Paul urges Christians to do after they are equipped is to "pray!" "…and pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests."-Eph. 6:18. Why? Prayer keeps us focused on our constant need for and dependence on God.
4. Be Hopeful. In the midst of crisis, one must see the whole picture. God's purposes always look beyond our present circumstances to eternity. Someone recently shared with me that "In the midst of trouble, God rescues us if He chooses. If not, then He will provide a way to sustain us." Again, Paul writes, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…"-Romans 8:28. He writes this to people who were dying for their faith. That doesn't look very "good" does it? However, in the eternal scheme of things, he goes on to write that even if we die, "in all of these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Nothing…"will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."-Romans 8:37-39