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Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God who prepares and has a plan. Many things surprise us, but nothing surprises God. He always knows just what to do, as well as knowing just what we should do.

As we mature, we gain wisdom, and we learn through experience. Hopefully, that prepares us to better face the unexpected things in life. As parents, we try to prepare our children by advising them what to do when certain things happen. For example, many parents will train their children what to do when someone tries to kidnap them, when someone offers them drugs or alcohol, when their friends try to involve them in a foolish activity, and so on.

God does the same with His children. A major difference between us and God is that we don’t know what will happen. Even things that we think might happen or are likely to happen are still somewhat uncertain. They are more of an “if” than a “when.” God knows, however, what are the common situations that will come to all His children, as well as the specific situations that will come to each. He will guide us in the moment, but He has also given us instruction to prepare us. For example …

When we are invited to a special event. “When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding” (Luke 14:8-10). How should we act? “Sit not down in the highest room … go and sit down in the lowest room.” We give honor to the recipient by attending, while not trying to grab honor for ourselves.

When we are in conflict with an adversary. “When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way” (Luke 12:58). Our action? “Give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.” We are to use wisdom in earnestly trying to resolve the situation peacefully, without it escalating into something more serious.

When we pass through harsh trials. “When thou passest through the waters … and through the rivers … when thou walkest through the fire” (Isaiah 43:2-5). Our response? “I will be with thee … they shall not overflow thee … thou shalt not be burned.” We are not to fear but to trust in the care of our ever-present God, who has already demonstrated His love for us in the most incredible act of our ransom.

When we fall into temptations. “My brethren … when ye fall into divers temptations” (James 1:2-3). What then? “Count it all joy … knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” We rejoice in the maturing work that we know God is doing.

When our heart is overwhelmed. “When my heart is overwhelmed” (Psalm 61:2). “When my spirit was overwhelmed within me” (Psalm 142:3). Oh, what to do? “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee … lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” “Then thou knewest my path.” We are to run to God, to cry out to Him, to rest in His strength and in His awareness of our dilemma.

When we cry. “In the day when I cried” (Psalm 138:3). Our expectation? “Thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.” Oh, the blessed hope of knowing we have a God who hears and answers, a God who gives us the strength we need.

When the world around us is full of trouble. “And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars” (Mark 13:7). How to respond? “Be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.” We are to remain at peace, recognizing the inevitability of such things, and looking toward eventual deliverance.

When our foot slips. “When I said, My foot slippeth” (Psalm 94:18). Now what? “Thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.” We are to throw our full weight on the One who will support us.

When we fall. “When I fall .. when I sit in darkness” (Micah 7:8). What to do? “I shall arise … the LORD shall be a light unto me.” We are to have confidence in the One who will lift us back up and illumine our path.

When we are forsaken by others. “When my father and my mother forsake me” (Psalm 27:10). How do we handle it? “Then the LORD will take me up.” We are to rely on the One who will never leave us or forsake us, remembering that we are never alone.

When we suffer for doing right. “But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it” (I Peter 2:23). Now what? “Ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” We are to follow Christ’s example of suffering without sinning and without attacking, entrusting ourselves to God’s oversight.

When people attack and malign us. “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake” (Matthew 5:11). Our response? “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven” (v. 12). We are to focus on the eternal nature of our mission and on the pleasure we bring to the One who has sent us.

When we are persecuted and our message is rejected. “But when they persecute you in this city” (Matthew 10:23). What to do? “Flee ye into another.” Move on and attempt to give God’s truth in a new place.

When we are arrested for the gospel. “But when they deliver you up” (Matthew 10:19). Our reaction? “Take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.” We are to trust God for what to say in those tense moments.

So many of these divine preparations are for times of difficulty and challenge. We can take heart in knowing that God knows such times will come, and He has already prepared the answers. In whatever you are facing, I pray that God will calm and comfort you, that He will strengthen you to respond correctly, and that He will give you all the grace and help that you need.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA