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What Does the Bible Say About Preparing for Hard Times? – Viral Believer
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What Does the Bible Say About Preparing for Hard Times?

Introduction

Life can be unpredictable, and at times it can be filled with difficulties and challenges that can test our faith and resilience. As Christians, we believe that it is important to prepare ourselves for hard times both emotionally and practically, so that we can respond in a Christ-like way when trials come our way.

The Bible has a wealth of guidance on how we can prepare for hard times, and this post aims to explore some of the key principles that we can apply in our lives.

Trusting in God’s faithfulness, storing up resources, and serving others are just a few of the important principles that the Bible teaches us when it comes to preparing for hard times.

As believers, we are called to be good stewards of the resources and relationships that God has given us, and to trust in His provision and guidance in all circumstances. This blog post will dive deeper into these principles and provide practical ways in which we can apply them in our daily lives.

Ultimately, preparing for hard times as a Christian is about cultivating a deep and abiding faith in God that can sustain us through the ups and downs of life.

By trusting in God’s faithfulness, storing up resources, serving others, and praying for strength and guidance, we can equip ourselves to face whatever challenges come our way. We hope that this post will encourage and inspire you to deepen your faith and prepare yourself practically for the hard times that may lie ahead.

preparing for hard times in the Bible

Trusting in God’s Faithfulness

The first and most important principle of preparing for hard times is trusting in God’s faithfulness. The Bible tells us that God is always with us, even in the midst of our struggles, and that He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).

This means that we can rely on Him to guide us through difficult times, to provide for our needs, and to give us strength and courage to face whatever challenges come our way.

As believers, we are called to trust God in all circumstances. Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

This verse encourages us to rely on God’s wisdom and guidance, even when we don’t understand the situation or the future. When we trust in God, we can have confidence that He is working all things together for our good, even when life is difficult (Romans 8:28).

In addition to trusting in God’s faithfulness, we can also take practical steps to prepare ourselves for hard times. One way to do this is by building up our spiritual lives through prayer, reading the Bible, and worshiping with other believers.

When we are grounded in our faith, we are better equipped to face the challenges of life.

Storing Up Resources

Another principle of preparing for hard times is storing up resources. The Bible tells us that the wise man saves for the future, while the foolish man spends everything he has (Proverbs 21:20).

This does not mean that we should hoard our resources or be stingy with our giving, but it does mean that we should be wise stewards of what God has given us.

One practical way to store up resources is by saving money and creating an emergency fund. This can help us to weather unexpected expenses or job loss.

In Proverbs 6:6-8, we are instructed to look to the ant as an example of preparation: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”

Like the ant, we can prepare for hard times by being diligent and storing up resources when we have the means to do so.

Additionally, we can prepare by stocking up on food, water, and other necessities in case of natural disasters or other emergencies. This does not mean that we should become obsessed with our possessions, but rather that we should be good stewards of what God has given us.

In Genesis 41:34-36, Joseph advises Pharaoh to store up grain during the years of plenty so that there will be enough food during the years of famine. This principle of preparation can be applied to our own lives, as we seek to be wise stewards of the resources God has given us.

Serving Others

Finally, preparing for hard times also involves serving others. The Bible tells us that we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31) and to care for the vulnerable and needy (James 1:27).

When we serve others, we not only obey God’s commands, but we also prepare ourselves for difficult times. By building strong relationships with others, we create a support network that can help us through hard times.

One way to serve others is by volunteering at a local church or charity organization. This can provide opportunities to build relationships with others and to learn new skills that may be useful in times of need.

Additionally, we can look for ways to serve our neighbors and community through acts of kindness and generosity.

In Matthew 25:34-40, Jesus tells his disciples that when they serve those in need, they are serving Him:

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

When we serve others, we not only obey God’s commands, but we also build up our own faith and prepare ourselves for the challenges of life.

Praying for Strength and Guidance

Another important aspect of preparing for hard times is praying for strength and guidance.

In Philippians 4:6-7, we are instructed to “not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

When we pray to God, we can ask Him for strength and guidance to face whatever challenges come our way.

Additionally, we can pray for wisdom and discernment to make wise decisions in preparation for hard times.

In James 1:5, we are instructed to ask God for wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” When we pray for wisdom, we can trust that God will guide us in making wise decisions about how to prepare for the future.

Conclusion – Trusting in God’s Provision

Finally, as we prepare for hard times, it is important to remember that ultimately, our trust should be in God’s provision, not in our own preparations.

In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells his disciples not to worry about their basic needs, such as food and clothing, because God will provide for them:

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’…your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

When we trust in God’s provision, we can have peace and confidence in the midst of difficult times.

In summary, preparing for hard times as a Christian involves trusting in God’s faithfulness, storing up resources, serving others, praying for strength and guidance, and ultimately, trusting in God’s provision.

By following these principles, we can prepare ourselves both practically and spiritually to face the challenges of life. As we do so, we can have confidence that God is with us, guiding us and providing for us every step of the way.

May we all seek to live lives that honor God and love our neighbors, no matter what difficulties we may face.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.