Life is a precious gift, yet life can often be cruel and painful. One thing after another, we face challenges and battles that sometimes push us to our limits. It becomes a struggle to stand up to inconvenient intrusions. 

For me personally I face countless challenges on a daily basis. Some loud and pronounced however most are quiet and internal. The weight of it all makes holding my head up some days a job in and of itself. But overtime I have been able to build up a resistance to the amorphous opposition. A survival kit of sorts. 

FREEDOM

The first thing in the kit is freedom. Here it is represented by the nails they used to pierce Jesus while on the cross. The nails symbolize salvation. For you see in order for the rest of the kit to be effective you are going to need to acknowledge his sacrifice and do your best to live right. Galatians 5:13 says, for you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love and service one another. Jesus died so that we may be free, as well as have a chance at eternal freedom.

For a long a time I was stuck in a cycle that brought with it depression, pain, anxiety, and fear. These side effects were present for so long that I began to see this as my normal. About a year and a half ago God brought me to a place of deliverance. Granted I did not agree with his methods, but who am I to tell him otherwise. After some time, I realized that I was free. However, with this freedom came responsibility. My walk with God grew stronger and stronger therefore I have to work that much harder to live for him as the enemy’s presence became more pronounced too. Do your best to live right and should you lose your way do your best to get back on track.

ACTION

Here we have a compass, and it represents action. The symbolic purpose of this is simply moving in the right direction. Often times we give so much of our energy to doing things that do not benefit us or glorify our Heavenly Father. Colossians 3: 23-24 says, whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for man, know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

You see the compass always points north. For us that should translate into partaking in purposeful edifying positive activity. Figure out what you should be doing at this point and time and do your best not to lose your way. I was blessed with the gift of writing, so I have been tasked to reach out to others through my writing and help them maintain their faith and hope for a better tomorrow. God has a purpose for us all, once you find it keep heading north. 

INSTRUCTIONS

Next, we have the most obvious and self-explanatory item in the kit. Instruction, and it’s represented by the Bible. Many people hold the Bible to many different standards. For me at the end of the day it is instructions, guidelines, and warnings. The stories of the Bible although dated are more relevant than you know. Romans 15:4 says, for whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the scripture we might have hope. I want to encourage you to take time and do your best to read and acquire an understanding of this book for yourself. 

Growing up the biggest hurdle with being saved was reading my bible. It’s no secret how intimidating it can seem. Well in my later years I find it helps to use the buddy system. In my experience it helps to have one or more people that you can bounce feedback off of and help you get a better understanding of what you are reading.

TESTIMONY

These broken chains represent testimony. You and I are the evidence of his divine power. All of the things that you found yourself up against and couldn’t see a way past it yet here you are. Matthew 5:16 says, in the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is heaven. Your deliverance is proof that you will get through this. For if he brought you out once he can and will do it again. 

After everything that I have been through in the last year and a half I am thankful for the grace and mercy God has shown me. I have a testimony that I now use to fuel my purpose. I thank God because he turned pain into purpose, loss into lessons, misery into ministry, and grief into growth.

HOLY SPIRIT

The last item in the kit is this lantern. The light it contains represents the Holy Spirit. It symbolizes a guiding light in the darkness. Psalms 119: 105 says, your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. The reason it is important to have this lantern i.e., his Holy Spirit is because the devil has no respect of person. You can be the holiest preacher in a church, or the most wayward soul, attacks still come. Darkness finds us all at one point or another. And if you don’t have access to this lantern you are bound to wander in darkness for a while. However, if you let your lantern shine it will cut through the darkness like a knife.

On this journey I face a lot of hiccups and setbacks. One of the most impactful is writers block. To somebody like me that is uncomfortable. My thoughts are cloudy, and I can’t put a proper idea together to save my life. But when I be still and let my lantern shine and the Holy Spirit gets me through the fog and I come out better every time.

In Closing

The road ahead is a bumpy one and it will bring with it many unforeseen inconveniences. Challenges that will test you spiritually, emotionally, physically and everything in between. In times of duress, I encourage you to remember the survival kit. Freedom, Jesus’s sacrifice, and our salvation. Action, make sure you are moving in the right direction. Instruction, get familiar with the wisdom in this book. Testimony, the shackles we were delivered from. Holy Spirit, the light by which we navigate through this life. For as long as you have FAITH all things are possible. Go forward and be blessed. You Got This!!!

FAITH, Life’s Survival Kit video: https://youtu.be/MipT3DYepk0