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Prepared

Briefing: “If you go into battle, it’s better to win the first time.” – General George S. Patton

Dispatch (Assignment): Chances are, when you start your shift, you are prepared. When you consider being prepared for the job, what does that mean? What equipment do you carry? What is your mindset?

On the Street: As a little boy one of my favorite cartoons was Felix the Cat. I used to run around the house singing, “Felix the cat, the wonderful, wonderful cat, whenever he gets in a fix, he reaches into his bag of tricks.” I have run across very few people who know the cartoon, much less the theme song. However, I have always called my “go bag” my “Felix the Cat” bag. It was, and is, always filled with all kinds of neat gadgets, police gear, survival items, and knick knacks. I always feel prepared for anything that comes my way.

As a police officer, my preparation is not limited to my Felix the Cat bag. I like to think I am prepared mentally, physically, and emotionally for any challenges I face. I feel very confident in all of these areas of preparedness.

Our job requires us to be prepared. We go to schools and train to be prepared for most situations. As society, crime trends, and criminal acts evolve and change, so does our training and preparedness.

We can be the most trained, and prepared officer ever to walk the face of the earth but if we have not prepared spiritually we may find our training is worthless.

Proverbs 16:3 (NIV), “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 21:31 (NIV), “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.”

When was the last time you prayed for safety, courage, or preparedness before a shift or on your way to a call?

Proverbs 21:5 (HCSB), “The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.”

Proverbs 22:3 (NIV) & 27:12 (NIV), “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.”

Proverbs 6:6-8 (NIV), “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”

Proverbs 21:20 (HCSB), “Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a foolish man consumes them.”

Proverbs 23:23 (HCSB), “Buy, and do not sell, truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”

Proverbs 24:3 (HCSB), “A house is built by wisdom, and it is established by understanding;”

Proverbs 24:10-11 (NIV), “If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength! Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.”

Proverbs 24:27 (NIV), “Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.”

As Christian law enforcement officers we need to prepare for the job in all areas, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

Investigational Resources: Ecclesiastes 2:1-26, Matthew 7:24-27, Ephesians 6:18-20

Officer Safety Principle: What steps are you taking to be prepared spiritually?

from The Book of Proverbs Through the Eyes of a Cop
©by Charles Gilliland. Used by permission.
Click here to check out the entire Through the Eyes of a Cop series!