Some of life’s most heart-wrenching decisions are born in moments of despair, anxiety, or an otherwise distorted sense of reality. These choices often reflect a deeper struggle within the human heart, where lies take root and shape actions.
Consider a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy. In a moment of panic, she may think, “I’m not ready to be a mother. What will people think of me?” The fear of shame or loss of control drives her toward abortion. Similarly, those who tragically end their lives are often trapped in a cycle of despair, convinced they’re unloved, unnoticed, or that life holds no purpose. Their pain blinds them to hope, and they see no reason to suffer any longer.
We see this same pattern in the rise of ideologies centered on personal identity, particularly within the LGBT movement. “I know who I am,” declares a man identifying as a woman. “This is my truth,” insists an activist. “Love is love!” chants the crowd. These declarations stem from a focus on feelings as the ultimate authority, elevating personal perception above all else.
At the heart of these choices and worldviews lies a common thread: a fixation on self, often rooted in deception. They say what we talk about most reveals what we value most. Similarly, what we dwell on most shapes us the most. When self becomes the center, life choices ripple outward, reflecting a belief in absolute personal autonomy where “my” desires reign supreme. But from a biblical perspective, this isn’t merely a cultural trend. This is the devil in action.
Scripture warns, and reality confirms: Satan wants our focus on anything but Christ. Why? Because a heart fixed on Jesus is not easily swayed by lies. The enemy knows our vulnerabilities and exploits them when we’re not anchored in truth. As it’s been said, “Satan doesn’t whisper, ‘Worship me.’ He whispers, ‘Do what makes you happy.’” His tactics are subtle, pulling us away from God incrementally — before we even notice.
If being busy is what keeps you from going to church or reading the Bible, then he’ll provide distractions. If bad traffic is enough to make you lose your cool and all the fruits of the spirit along with it, you can bet he’ll take every opportunity to try your patience. If isolation causes you to feel depressed and be blinded to God’s presence in your life, the enemy is going to work to get you alone as much as he possibly can. The point, however, is not that we should live in fear of potentially finding ourselves in these situations. Rather, the point is that when we find ourselves in them, will we be prepared?
What happens when we're not prepared?
Unprepared, we’re most vulnerable — if our focus is fractured, our defenses are down. Without a foundation in God’s word, lies take root, distorting reality. A woman in crisis may see abortion as her only escape. A despairing soul may believe death is the only relief. Ideologies promising self-defined truth may seem liberating, but they lead to confusion. Satan exploits these gaps, deepening our separation from God.
But this is important: Even for the Christian already convicted against cultural pressures like abortion or identity ideologies, threats persist. A fallen world, dear reader, spares no one. No matter who you are, loneliness cripples, depression overwhelms, and suffering can feel like a chokehold. We may control our votes or our patience in traffic, but we cannot dictate how long loved ones live, whether illness strikes, or when tragedy blindsides us. The question isn’t if these trials will come, but whether we’ll face them spiritually prepared, or spiritually unprepared.
Without a heart anchored in Christ, we will be spiritually unprepared and ill-equipped for life’s inevitable woes. For the Christian who hasn’t pursued God’s truth, etched His word on their heart, or made Scripture their default for life’s deepest questions, the cost is steep. Unprepared, we risk handling trials in ways that leave us worse off — spiritually adrift, emotionally shattered, and vulnerable to the enemy’s lies. Neglecting to fix our focus on the One who carries us through fire and flood unscathed is to face the world’s storms without the only Anchor that holds.
So, how do we make sure we’re prepared?
Here's how to be prepared
To state the obvious, preparation begins with rooting ourselves in Christ. But what does this look like? Well, it looks like regular prayer, daily time in Scripture, and consistent fellowship with the people of God. Like soldiers training for battle, we must strengthen our faith daily, ready to stand firm when trials come.
The second law of thermodynamics tells us that systems naturally drift from order to disorder. An abandoned car in a field doesn’t spontaneously become a sleek, functioning vehicle — it rusts and decays into scraps. Similarly, our spiritual lives are not immune to entropy. Ephesians urges us to “put on the armor of God.” Yet, even armor, left untended, deteriorates from neglect.
So, while it sounds simple, tending to our spiritual needs daily truly is a majority of this battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil. They say, “bigger is better,” but in reality, it’s the small, consistent steps toward righteousness and truth that yield lasting transformation. More than anything, it’s the habits we cultivate in life’s quiet moments that equip us to navigate its inevitable chaos with resilience and grace.
These moments are vital, yet they’re also when we’re most prone to neglect our spiritual readiness. In times of ease, the urgency of our spiritual well-being fades. Too often, it’s only when the floodgates of chaos break open that we realize — if we even think this way at all — that we should have prayed more, immersed ourselves in Scripture, or sought the company of fellow believers. Let’s not wait for crises to regret our lack of preparation. Instead, let’s begin now, today. Start simple: read a Psalm each morning, pray for strength, or connect with a fellow believer at church.
Through these small acts, we build a foundation, and from there, we trust God with all we have, surrendering fully to His strength, care, and guidance.
We need to trust Christ through and through
On that note, there’s an elephant in the room. Maybe you’re thinking, “What if I pour my heart into preparing, yet still find myself blindsided? What if, despite my best efforts, I stumble and lose my way?” These are valid concerns, and thankfully, Scripture offers powerful examples to guide us through such moments.
Consider the Apostle Peter, who swore loyalty to Jesus yet denied Him three times in fear. Jesus forgave and restored him, making Peter a cornerstone of the church. Or the woman caught in adultery, facing death for her sin. Jesus declared, “I don’t condemn you; go and sin no more,” offering her a new beginning. Likewise, the prodigal son, who squandered his inheritance in rebellion, was welcomed home with open arms by his father. These stories share a truth: our stumbles don’t define us. As Romans 8:38-39 assures, nothing in creation can separate us from God’s love.
The truth is, we will stumble, make mistakes, and continue to fall into sin. It’s part of living in a fallen world. But praise be, because we’re given a promise in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” When you fall, repent, and Christ’s grace will lift you.
In Christ, we’re made new. Though we still sin, it no longer defines us. Though we will stumble, Christ will guide us through. We don’t have to live in fear of falling away. But because we’re new creations in Him, we’re called to live each day reflecting that truth. So, rise daily, prepare your heart by anchoring it in His word, and walk boldly in the freedom of His unending, sustaining love.
This article appeared originally here.
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