“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” 1 Peter 1:13
Prepare to React BEFORE
One of the most impactful action steps we can take to keep from getting caught up in anxiety and fear is to be prepared ahead of time. Prepared to react to the hustle and bustle, the financial stress, the busy-ness, the personal conflicts, remembrances of loss, and other problems of the holiday season! But preparation indicates that something happens BEFORE the struggle hits.
“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” 1 Peter 1:13
Be Prepared
To prepare BEFORE takes some work in our minds and possibly surroundings. Let’s try to spot possible triggers to our anxiety and overwhelm ahead of time. Just like we set alarm clocks in order to wake up in time for our responsibilities, we have to plan ahead how we will react to the stresses of the season.
Alert
“With minds that are alert and fully sober” – Our minds have to be ready before. Our minds have to be alert and sober, observing what is going on and its effects on us. In other words, we have to be paying attention.
Set your hope
“Set your hope” – That verse set is very interesting to me. It denotes a focus that is laser-sharp and full of determination. We can’t give up on the hope of the grace that God is bringing us. We can’t give up and give in to feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or anxious. We have to decide ahead of time to set (like concrete sets up) our hope.
Revealed at His Coming
Advent is all about looking forward to the coming of Jesus at Christmas, focusing on Him and all He came to earth and accomplished on our behalf.
So many things were revealed at His coming. The Advent series I have planned is going to spend some time focused on the prophecies that were fulfilled with the coming of Jesus the Messiah. Focused on what was revealed.
Examples of preparing before
Simeon
Simeon’s mind was ready and He recognized the Christ Child.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:25-35
Anna
Anna was alert and saw the fulfillment of her hopes.
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38
Let’s be like Simeon and Anna!
They believed the promises of God. They worshipped and prayed and fasted. They watched for the fulfillment of the promise and they gave thanks to God. They prepared their hearts for what was coming on a daily basis.
Action Step:
What are the biggest triggers for discouragement, anxiety, or frustration in your life? Do you need to adjust your schedule for the holiday season and allow more time for each task? Do you need to schedule time to prepare your heart before dealing with people who can be difficult? Do you need to set a budget ahead of time and stick to it in order to avoid too much financial pressure? Who can you talk to to keep you accountable during this season?
Decide today how you want to react to stresses before they happen and pray for the strength and reminder to do so. Plan to start each day preparing your heart to react well in the moment.
I’d also love to hear on Facebook or Instagram what you chose to be grateful for! Join in the conversation on the Devotion in Action page.
Prayer:
Dear God, Help us to prepare our minds and hearts to react well during stress in this coming season. Remind us to daily get ready BEFORE the trouble starts. We want to be like Anna and Simeon, recognizing the arrival of Your promises when they come. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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