by Mahendra and Sarah Prabhu
As holidays are nearing, we often get pulled in to all the preparations for food and having our friends and family over. We are busy but are we preparing to cope ahead in case we end up in situations that our loved one is asked or responds that could lead us to in an uncomfortable situation. Let’s see how Jesus was coping ahead to handle one of the toughest time of his life.
Read Luke 22
Jesus then moves to make arrangements an important Jewish holiday (Passover) with his disciples (Luke 22:7-12):
Last Supper
- Jesus knew what is coming ahead and so he set aside time to prepare his disciples to be emotionally ready. To stay faithful through confusing times that were going to come (the cross).
1-2 The Feast of Unleavened Bread, also called Passover, drew near. The high priests and religion scholars were looking for a way to do away with Jesus but, fearful of the people, they were also looking for a way to cover their tracks.
2. He gets their attention by making the supper special.
14-16 when it was time, he sat down, all the apostles with him, and said, “You’ve no idea how much I have looked forward to eating this Passover meal with you before I enter my time of suffering. It’s the last one I’ll eat until we all eat it together in the kingdom of God.”
3. He is specific about what to expect.
Jesus said, …. 33 Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. 34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” 36 Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?” And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.”
4. He gives them a plan:
31-32 “Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I’ve prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.”
- You will go through testing by Satan, but I have you covered!
- Help your friends after you overcome your testing.
36-37 He said, “This is different. Get ready for trouble. Look to what you’ll need; there are difficult times ahead. Pawn your coat and get a sword. What was written in Scripture, ‘He was lumped in with the criminals,’ gets its final meaning in me. Everything written about me is now coming to a conclusion.”
- Be prepared
39-40 Leaving there, he went, as he so often did, to Mount Olives. The disciples followed him. When they arrived at the place, he said, “Pray that you don’t give in to temptation.”
- Pray
5. He gives them something to look forward to:
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.[a] If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?[b] 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”
- Don’t worry
- Trust God and me
- I will come and get you once I am done preparing a place for you
What might seem like a good time for us could often put our loved ones in situations that could spiral out of control? Preparing ahead, enables us to set a reasonable expectation and helps us to cope if situations turns out for the worse.
Let’s look at “Coping Ahead” DBT skills for preparing to handle stressful situations:
- Describe the situation that will prompt a problem behavior.
- Be specific and stick to facts.
- Identify your emotions and thoughts/urges that could interfere with being skillful in the situation.
- Decide ahead of time what coping or problem solving skills you want to use.
- Make a plan:
- List the emotions and action urges and how you’ll cope with them. That way when you enter the situation you will feel prepared and more confident in how you’re going to cope. You’ll be entering the situation ready to cope, rather than panicking that you’re going to struggle to cope.
- Imagine the situation.
- Rehearse coping effectively, including coping with the worst case scenario. Practice relaxing/distress tolerance after rehearsal.
“Happy Holidays“