April 28, 2008

 Prepare For Your Storm! 

Growing up in the midwest we were accustomed to messages going across the bottom of the TV screen or our favorite programs being interrupted as the weather man told us that there was a storm watch or warning. There were thunderstorms, tornado and flood watches and warnings. I did not know the difference and I have learned that it is important to know the difference because how we operate during each is important.

A watch meant that conditions were favorable for a storm. Specifically, in the midwest a thunderstorm, flood or a tornado. Once we moved to Phoenix, AZ it was a monsoon, but it was a storm none the less and the storm could be one of mass destruction in uprooting trees and damaging property.

A warning meant that the tornado or monsoon had already been spotted and that the storm was coming. It was inevitable! How much damage would done was not known but the storm was coming.

Preparation depends on where you are. In the islands or the southeast, when a hurricane is coming, windows are boarded up and evacuations are inevitable. In the midwest we knew that we had to go to the basement, because if the tornado hit the wind would be so powerful it could blow the roof off. We found the same thing to be true of the hurricane and the monsoon. If you get a flood warning you have to go to higher ground so part of preparation is knowing what kind of storm you are preparing for. You have to know whether to go high or to go low.

It is important to know how to smoothly transition from a watchful state during a storm watch to calmly get in position when it becomes a warning. If you don’t do what is necessary during the watch you will find yourself frantically trying to get it together when the warning comes. Looking for candles and flashlights after the electricity goes off is not easy.

The watch tells you that your spouse is no longer satisfied in the marriage you need to pray and seek God during this time so that He can give you specific instructions in keeping your marriage relationship solid. God will give you direction in keeping your spouses attention from being turned to another, during the watch.

The watch tells you that your emotions are out of whack or something crazy is going on at your job. The watch tells you that your eating is not what it should be and that you are not doing what is necessary to become physically fit.

It is during the watch that you prepare for the storm. Sometimes storms do sneak up on you, but if you have been watchful in all things you really won’t be surprised, because God will sound a warning before the storm hits and you will be able to make a smooth transition. Bitterness will not be able to take root in your heart because you saw it coming and God prepared you.

If the storm is in your marriage, at your job, in your emotions, in your habits, dealing with your physical condition, prepare by praying for yourself and those that are involved. Pray for God to go before you and minister to the hearts and minds of all of those included in the storm. Pray for needs to be met and for God’s will to be done.

If the storm is in your physical condition or specifically your weight, prepare by setting up a plan for eating and exercise, getting your checkups and following your doctors instructions. Prepare by removing the food from your life and house that causes you to do what you know is not good for you. You should not put yourself in the position of beginning to emotionally eat during your storm.

Prepare by seeking God for direction in every area of your life and following the direction that He gives you. Prepare by surrounding yourself with others that are going through similar storms or have been through them, so that you can encourage each other.

Matthew 26:41 says, 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” During your time of preparation for the storm keep watch and pray so that you will not be broken by the storm. As you watch and pray God will prepare you with strategies for dealing with it, but you have to watch and pray to hear Him when He gives you the instruction. If you wait until the storm comes you will fail, because you will not be prepared to stand in the storm, while your spirit may be willing your body will be weak.

Prepare during the watch, because the warning is coming.

Weekly Scripture:

Matthew 26:41: 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

We just worked out spiritually. If you have not worked out your physical temple get up and join us in the:

New Beginnings 2008 Workout Focus
10,000/steps per day or 70,000/steps per week Walking Program*

This is the fitness opportunity that New Beginnings is promoting for 2008. It is simple and easy and almost everyone can participate at whatever level of fitness they are at. All you need is a good pair of walking shoes, comfortable clothing, a pedometer, and you're all set.

For further discussion contact contactus@mynewtemple.org or write to us on the message board http://mynewtemple.org/aMessages.html or the Fitness Blog http://mynewtemple.org/wordpress/