Why is the SABERS cycle a practiced response? Can’t we just “wing it”? Why do we have to prepare and practice when we don’t really know what is ahead?
Life circumstances are unexpected and diverse. It is true that we don’t know what our future holds, but God knows our future. As we grow in our spiritual relationship, we trust what is happening today will work toward the ultimate purpose God has throughout eternity.
2 Corinthians 4:15(CSB)
Indeed, everything is for your benefit so that, as grace extends through more and more people, it may cause thanksgiving to increase to the glory of God.
As we believe God’s faithfulness, we respond based on the truth of scripture, preparing us for the challenges ahead. Jesus said that we will face challenges.
John 16:33 (CSB)
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
One of the awesome things about relationship with God through Jesus, is we can have courage, hope, joy and peace that overcomes suffering. It doesn’t mean we don’t have suffering. It means our peace is based on truth from scripture and not circumstances. This is why we practice responding to God, so when we face challenges, we continue to have courage, hope, joy, and peace—victory over the temporal through our eternal relationship in Christ.
In many areas of life, we practice for the unexpected. For example, sports teams do not follow a checklist, they anticipate and prepare. They train their minds and bodies in the fundamental skills of their sport. When the unexpected offensive attack or defensive challenge confronts them, the fundamentals are already committed to muscle memory and energy is redirected to overcome the unexpected.
The way athletes prepare for the unexpected is to practice the fundamentals to the point that mind and muscle memory respond immediately without hesitation or distraction. The middle of the basketball game is not the time to learn how to break the full-court press. The plan to break the press is already practiced, so it can be applied in the moment of pressure.
In our spiritual life, we practice a cycle of fundamental Biblical responses, so we are prepared in the heat of battle. (Eph. 6:10-13) When our circumstances overwhelm us, we don’t react. We respond to the unexpected by adapting the practiced fundamental responses to our new circumstance. Without practice, we do not have spiritual memory to follow to victory. We are unprepared for battle and easily deceived. (Col. 2:3-4)
The ongoing practice of responding to God keeps us in the place of stability when the waves of adversity hit our lives (Eph. 4:14-15).
Throughout creation we see cycles and ongoing circles of growth. Our spiritual life also revolves through known responses to God. In His love for us, God supplies all we need and we praise Him.
Philippians 4:19-20
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
He is our strength, courage, hope, joy and peace. He delights in us and inspires us through His words of encouragement.
Zephaniah 3:17
“The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”
The Lord is a victorious warrior over all the earth, yet He is elated in joy over us. He is quiet in His love, yet shouts His joy for all to hear. What an awesome God of relationship.