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Preparedness

For those involved in first responder careers, hypervigilance tends to follow you even on your days off. It's a great skill, but it can cause undue stress when you are always “on,” looking for danger.

I've been out of law enforcement for twenty years. Still, when I enter a public place, I must visually locate all the exits and face the front door when I sit. It's important that I see any danger entering the room and know where to direct my family to safety. A moment of hesitation or second-guessing what to do could cost my loved ones or me our lives. This was a learned behavior from my years as a public servant.

Preparedness is vital, both for split-second decision-making and for mundane chores, such as cleaning your patrol car, weapons, and boots. Hand-to-hand combat training, knowing the laws of the land, interpreting a suspect's body language, and firearms practice is important too. Staying sharp and being prepared increases your chances of survival.

According to Eph 6:11-13, it’s the same with your spiritual life. There is significance in the phrase “hands for war, fingers for battle” in the scripture (Psalm 144:1). You are not simply locked and loaded for battle each day. According to God’s Word, you are also ready to walk away victorious. It’s a message of empowerment to overcome, and it comes by following hard after him, harder than you do when preparing for your job.

The difference is, that stress is not part of his plan for you. In Matthew 11:30, Jesus says his yoke is easy, and his burden is light. You can confidently be prepared for war today while still resting on his promises.

In what ways can you be more diligent in preparing yourself for success vocationally, physically, mentally, and, most importantly, spiritually? What will you do this week to improve?

These stories were excerpts from Tez's book, Debriefing: Meditations of Hope for Those Who Protect and Serve. For more first responder stories and biblical hope for your vocation get the book here .