We can’t be loyal in the storm if we’re not loyal before the storm.

Or, in other words, loyalty isn’t something that shows up on its own when the hard times strike. It’s something you have to prepare for.

The Key to Remaining Faithful (when the storm strikes)

I’ve been doing a lot of intentional study in the book of Daniel this month, preparing for the Joy in the Journey Conference.

In the process, I’ve been thinking a lot about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the three men who were thrown into the fiery furnace because they refused to bow down and worship an image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

And I’ve been pondering…what was it that enabled them to remain faithful to God in the face of death? What kept them loyal?

I think it was their preparation.

They were loyal in the fire because they prepared BEFORE the fire started. 

You can see this preparation in chapter 1, when they, along with Daniel, refused to eat the foods that the king was providing for them.

They practiced that loyalty to God then – when the consequences weren’t as high. And this preparation helped them be ready when the consequences were much higher.

Beth Moore said it this way:

“Loyal is not something we suddenly are at the flash-moment of testing. It’s something we already were that surfaces in the test.”

So that got me thinking…what does this look like for us today?

What small practices do we need to put into place today to help prepare us for the inevitable storm (or fire – I should really stick with one metaphor, huh?) that will come in our future?

I don’t have the answer for you but I can tell you for me, it means doing the next right thing. It means being intentional about spending time in the Word daily (or at least as close to daily as I can). It means praying, even when it feels awkward or like my prayers aren’t going higher than the ceiling. It means being involved with my church body and with fellow believers. It means taking care of myself physically – being active and taking time each day for mindfulness.

That’s what preparing looks like for me.

What does it look like for you?

I’d love to hear your responses! Reply and let me know!! 

Because if we’re not loyal before the storm…it’ll be a whole lot harder to be loyal inside the storm.