Why prepare for action?

The Wild Boar and the Fox –Aesop’s fables

A Wild Boar stood under a tree and rubbed his tusks against the trunk. A Fox passing by asked him why he thus sharpened his teeth when there was no danger threatening from either huntsman or hound. He replied, 'I do it advisedly for it would never do to have to sharpen my weapons just at the time I ought to be using them.'

 

The Wild Boar knew that it was useless to wait to sharpen his defenses. If we aren’t daily preparing ourselves, we won’t be ready when trouble comes. Christ said in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33).What does God give us to prepare us for trouble? When there is danger we are told to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians). I have noticed four things that have helped me “have sharp weapons for when the huntsman and hound” arrive. I have also noticed I have a “tree” on which to sharpen these weapons. The four things that help me stand fast against the huntsman are knowing who my God is, submitting to Gods authority and choosing his opinion on issues, understanding how my enemy works and what are his traps that I fall in, and the lastly is what I know God wants me to work on and making a plan with him to develop that. Each of these points I will spend a lifetime trying to get my mind around and live out. I struggle with each of these concepts, yet God is always faithful to my cries for his help.

 

Which brings me to my first ‘tusk to keep sharp.’ Who God is. When I am struggling I can remember who my God is and stand on that truth. My favorite lately is Gods faithfulness. Lamentation 3:21-23 & Psalm 31 are my favorite verses for this truth, but there are over 800 to choose from just for faithfulness.

The second requires even more action on my part than just faith in who God says he is. Its submission. 1 Peter talks a lot about this topic. I had to decide if God was trustworthy. If he is and it’s His idea and His ways are good, THEN my selfishness needed to take a back seat and chose His way instead. If you want a full life go to the teacher who knows the most of what our lives are meant to be . . . Jesus! Specifically, Jesus’ sermon on the mount in Matthew chapters 5-7 is the cliff notes version of Gods vision of a full life. I have to learn how to submit to God in all the areas Christ talks about. God, my husband, my parents…. It’s hard because my selfishness gets in my way a lot. Especially, if Chips and Cheese or a nap are involved verses dishes and laundry. Selfishness robs me of the joy of being obedient and submitting to God’s authority in my life. God’s commands are God’s best plans for me.

Thus number three for me is recognize the traps that trip you up. What are the huntsman hunting tactics? For me its selfishness and recognizing the triggers so I don’t lash out and say it’s not fair when Christ has something much more important for me to learn (Luke 12:13-59). 

The last truth I have noticed is my need for God to continue working on my character. What God wants me to work on with him. In this season he is highlighting my desperate need for a “sound mind” and “self control.” 1Peter 1:13 “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober minded set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Ladies, this is a lifelong, no short cuts, no substitute kind of pursuit. If in 20 years I want to be a Titus 2 or Proverbs 31, kind of woman then I must start now! I will need help from older women who have been through it and younger women who keep me active in the fight. I need daily help from the Word of God and the Holy Spirit guiding, correcting, and rebuking me. I need encouragement from a family of believers to not give up or to not become “weary of doing good.’ (Galatians 6:9). Thus I need to reign in my habits and form a plan of attack in making sure I am “sharpening my weapons.”

My ‘tree that I use to sharpen my tusks’ is habits. God focused habits. Daily practice and commitment to what he is teaching me, wanting me to step out and help others with, and what I need to buckle down and get in line with. He constantly gives me “opportunities” to practice these. As well as giving me the trust and responsibility to work with him by taking active steps. Think, kids doing the dishes without being asked because they love you and know it’s the right thing to do.

Habit help 101:

1. Plan it out, what will help. Pray and strategize with God.

2. Swap Bad habits with Good.

3. Track it. (journal)

4. Rewards! Encouragement helps Motivate.

 5.Don’t Worry, Learn from Mistakes. Use that information about yourself to re strategize and call on God and accountability partners for help. We are here together.

Talk to God about your habits or goals and pour through his Word to find his truths on it, and move forward with prayer and petition and with thanksgiving make your requests, your plan of attack known to him. He has our backs and wants us to live His full life for us through his strength, in his timing, with his God sized moments. It’s His best I want, not my self-satisfaction or selfish design. His faithfulness never ends. So sharpen your weapons before you need them, because the enemy or circumstances aren’t going to wait for you to.

Enjoy
Theresa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aesop fable

The Wild Boar and the Fox

A Wild Boar stood under a tree and rubbed his tusks against the trunk. A Fox passing by asked him why he thus sharpened his teeth when there was no danger threatening from either huntsman or hound. He replied, 'I do it advisedly

for it would never do to have to sharpen my weapons just at the time I ought to be using them.'

 

My tusks to defeat my huntsman and his hounds…

1.       Learning who God says he is.

2.       Submitting to Gods authority

3.       Wisdom to know my weakness and the Enemies tactics

4.       Habits that sharpen my weapons (sound mind and self control)

 

My ‘tree’ I use to sharpen my weapons by is habits…

1.       Plan and pray. Make it a priority

2.       Track the habit. Keep it before me so I don’t forget.

3.       Swap a bad habit for a good one.

4.       Reward! Encourages Motivation.

5.       Don’t worry, Learn from mistakes.

6.       Humility to ask Jesus for help. You are not alone, and others need to learn how God got you through.