Preparing for life's challenges

Growing up, I lived opposite an incredibly house-proud lady. We could regularly see her, rain or shine, sprucing up the front of her home. She would clean the windows, ensure no weeds were growing, and even go out onto the pavement with a hard scrubbing brush to remove all the dirt from the concrete flagstones. I’m not going to criticise anyone for maintaining high standards of cleanliness, but it used to amuse us that the fastidiousness of her home didn’t match that of the homes surrounding it.

We made comparisons between her and Hyacinth Bucket, a character from a sitcom in the 90s, who used to go to extreme lengths to impress her neighbours and hide her true social standing. Hyacinth was also a terrible back-seat driver. She would constantly tell her husband, Richard, to “Watch the road” and point out hazards which he was already well aware of.

Our invitation to follow Christ is like a road that leads to an incredible destination as, in the end, we spend eternity with God in the New Creation. However, it is a road fraught with hazards that seek to stop us dead in our tracks, and the pavements are lined with enticements to get us to turn in a different direction. All Christians face potential pitfalls and temptations on their discipleship journey, which distract them from the final destination. There may be times when the cost of our discipleship feels too great. For many, a life of singleness and celibacy contributes to feelings of loneliness and isolation. How can we stop our journey from being disrupted? What can we do to keep going?

Pack some snacks

Whenever I go on a road trip, I pack some snacks for the ride. After all, we all need to eat. Food and water for the journey are an important part of our self-care. As best we can, taking care of ourselves will help us making unnecessary stops. The times when we are most tempted can be those when we are the most drained, be that spiritually, physically or emotionally.

Jesus emphasises the importance of self-care in Mark 6. The apostles had been busy sharing the good news of Christ in the villages. They return to Jesus and give him an account of their actions, but they still have people coming to them. Jesus suggests they take some time out to eat, rest and find quiet (v31). Jesus himself often moved away from the busyness of his ministry to find time to pray. We must build time for rest into our lives if we are to persevere in service. We ought to be mindful of our spiritual, physical, and emotional needs and not leave ourselves running on empty.

Pick your route well

Smartphone mapping apps are great for any journey. Type in where you want to go, and they will let you know the best way to get there. They often give you options so you can choose the route that best suits you. Want to avoid that 50mph stretch on the M6? Sure. Want to take the scenic route through the peak district? Just tap. As Christians, some things can seriously disrupt our discipleship journey that we would be wise to avoid.

There is no shortage of scripture verses reminding us of our need to flee temptation. Romans 13:14 says, “…clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” The words are strong. We’re not to even think about how we might gratify the desires of the flesh. Are there choices we can make that might help us to keep well clear from temptation? For instance, some might need to limit their internet access. Others might need to avoid a particular part of town. Being deliberate in keeping well away from ungodly influences is all part of self-care.

Bring some passengers

Travelling mile after mile on the motorway by yourself is no fun. I find myself clock-watching and working out how many more hours or minutes there are until I reach my destination. Journeys are much better when you have some good passengers by your side. Surround yourself with the right people, and the conversation will make you lose track of time and help you keep going in the right direction.

God designed people to live in community with one another. 1 Corinthians 12:4-27 shows us that community is essential to how God has ordered his church. Each person is different, and each brings something to the table. It takes the whole body of Christ (the church) to accomplish God’s purposes. Galatians 6:2 suggests that we can fulfil the law of Christ through carrying one another’s burdens. 

Hebrews 10:24-25 stresses the importance of not neglecting to meet together as we spur one another on. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that not having those people around us spurring us on can lead us to fall into temptation. This is a challenge for the whole church. We need to foster good intimacy with others and walk as a community to stop each other from seeking intimacy in unhealthy places.

Focus on the destination

Often, when we set out on any journey, there is a destination worth reaching. Maybe you are going to visit a friend you haven’t seen in a long time. Maybe you are going on a mission trip that will advance the kingdom of God. Maybe you’re just going to work to put some food on the table. Some of my close friends live several hours away. The journey to see them can often feel tedious, but I do it because I know we’ll have a great time once we’re together.

In Luke 18:29-30, Jesus says: “…no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” Setting out may be costly, but we do it for the sake of the kingdom of God. His Word gives us confidence that the road leads to something wonderful as we join him in glorious fellowship in the age to come. As we fix our eyes on this, we will surely want to keep going.

And there you have it, my top tips for a healthy road trip. Of course, other things can cause bumps, setbacks and frustrations on a journey we can’t plan for. Sometimes the car breaks down. We may face periods of ill health that compromise our ability to resist temptation. In those situations, help is out there. TFT can provide support if you are currently wrestling with same-sex attraction in the light of your faith convictions. If we can help, we’d love to walk the road with you as we give thanks for the grace and compassion of God, our Father.

This article was originally published in the summer 2022 edition of the TFT magazine, Ascend. Click the button below to download your copy.