The Next Storm has Been Predicted

This has been an extremely active and record-breaking hurricane season. Lives have been turned upside down due to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Last week as I sat in the Fort Lauderdale airport, I overheard several nervous conversations about yet another one in the Atlantic, Hurricane Maria.

Along with the nervousness, there's also talk about being better prepared for the next one. Experience has taught them that being proactive with a plan is a better than having an "it won't happen to me" or "I'll just ride it out" attitude. The damage can be minimized and lives can be saved when proper preparation is taken.

There are those storms that are as sinister as Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith. It’s like preparation fuels their strength and devastation. They ravage everything in their path and leave families with weeks, months, and sometimes years of putting the pieces back together. It’s in the aftermath that people realize material possessions mean little as long as everyone is safe and alive.

As men, we've had a record-breaking year of storms as well. Hurricane Lust, Tropical Storm Greed, Typhoon Porn and Tropical Depression Lonely have all made landfall with many others already forming. These storms have brought strong winds and statistic busting floods which have destroyed dreams, families, and lives.

We know the storms are coming. The most sophisticated radar system on the planet, the Bible, has already predicted the location of landfall. It's on a path aimed directly at you. John 16:33 says,

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Some of these storms are the result of our choosing to sin and refusing to live to the standards set by Christ. It tells us in Proverbs 11:29 that, "Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.” It also says in Proverbs 15:27 that, "Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.” These storms can be downgraded with a simple act of humility. Psalms 34:6 says, "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles." The damage may come, but you stand a better chance of keeping everyone safe and alive.

Then there are storms that come because we live in a broken world. We find ourselves in the path of a storm brought on by the action of others and not caused or controlled by us. A plan that contributes to the safety and well-being of you and your family is paramount. Here are a few ways to be more prepared for the next wave of vicious storms:

1. Evacuate

When storms like Hurricane Lust & Typhoon Porn are approaching, evacuate and FLEE days in advance of landfall. You won't be able to withstand the force and the destruction these storms bring.

2 Timothy 2:22 - "So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart."

2. Sand Bag the Perimeter

Pray to God for protection around you and your family to keep the flood waters at bay.

Nehemiah 4:8-9 - "And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night."

3. Board up the Windows

Windows are the eyes of a home just like your eyes are the windows to your soul. Before the storm approaches, board up your eyes by making a covenant not to look upon a woman with lust.

Job 31:1 - "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman."

4. Store up Non-Perishable Foods and Water

Stay prepared by hiding God's word in your heart. Stay connected to Christ and you'll never thirst again.

Psalms 119:11 - "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you"

John 4:14 - "but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Stay Strong my Friends.

JT McCraw is the men’s pastor at Bethel World Outreach in Brentwood, TN and the founder of the BE MEN Movement, where he provides oversight for this multi-ethnic, multi-site men’s ministry, focusing on engaging and equipping men to serve Christ. Presently they have locations in Tennessee, Texas, Florida, Ohio, Louisiana, Alabama and Arizona. JT lives in Franklin, TN with his wife of twenty-four years and their five children. You can follow JT on Twitter @jtmccraw.