If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my life, it’s that Jesus is a good Father. He prepares us by training and equipping us so that we are never unprepared for life’s fights and problems. In Matthew 10, for example, Jesus commissions his disciples to carry on the work of His Kingdom in the same way that He has modeled it to them. He gives them the power to banish demons and heal the ill, but He also warns them. He warns them that they will be like sheep among wolves when they venture out. I don’t know about you, but that wouldn’t make me feel very safe, and it certainly wouldn’t get me enthused about the travel. The caution, on the other hand, comes with a guarantee. Because Jesus advises them not to take anything with them, the implication is that He will provide for them and keep them safe regardless of the circumstances…which He did. The first time Jesus dismissed His disciples, they were able to return to Him, explain what had occurred, and get His guidance and feedback. They didn’t have the same advantage the second time around. Jesus was already in Heaven when He gave them the “Great Commission,” so they couldn’t come to Him in person as they could before. This is why He didn’t abandon them without assistance or training. He sent them to their own people first, like a wise father, to educate them how to be His disciples; it was a sort of trial run. He sent them to the Gentiles to create disciples of all countries when He was confident in their ability to fully trust in Him. He sent them out into the world to be His ambassadors once they learned to trust in Him; the same is true for you and me.

Friend, everything you’re going through right now is just a minor step toward a huge reward if you just have the courage. If you choose wisdom over foolishness in the face of fear, Jesus will equip you to lean on Him and take care of you. You, too, are a miracle worker in the making, just like His disciples. He is looking out for you, providing for you, and will use you to make a difference in the world for His Kingdom! Isn’t that fantastic news?