Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. – Isaiah 41:10, AMP

Have you ever witnessed seasoned first responder professionals (firefighters, police officers, or EMS workers, for example) in action during a crisis? It is quite a sight to behold. When everyone else is panicked and frenzied, the seasoned first responders act with poise and purpose. Although the first responders are not immune to the tension of the moment, they are hardened to it and can, therefore, face it bravely.

What enables first responders to become hardened to difficulty? Training coupled with repeated exposure to trouble. Through training first responders mentally and physically prepare for the day when trouble comes. Through repeated exposure to trouble, first responders learn to trust the training and to trust the people with whom they work. With trust in their training and in their colleagues, they can face calamity with confidence.

In Isaiah 41:10, God teaches us that, like battle-hardened first responders, He will strengthen us and harden us against difficulty. Through His Word He trains us mentally, physically, and spiritually to be ready to stand fast when calamity comes. Through repeated exposure to the trials of life, He helps us learn to trust both His Word and His person as ready helps in our times of trouble. As our trust in both God and His Word grow, we learn to face the troubles of life with confidence.

It is easy to wither when we first encounter circumstances that push us to our limits. But if we are faithful to a daily regimen of training in God’s Word, and if we learn to trust God and not ourselves when trouble comes, then we will be able to face calamity bravely. If we fail to trust our God and His training program, then panic and frenzy will be the norm every time the slightest trouble comes our way.

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