12 Things You Need in Your "Christian Tool Box"

I admit it. I have a very small actual tool box. It consists of one screwdriver (What?!?! There are different kinds?!), some duct tape, a nail file and a bunch of thumbtacks. These items seem to do the trick (especially since I live by the maxim, "When broken, why fix it?").

However, when it comes to following Christ I have found that there are some things I need to have handy when "life happens." Here are the 12 things* I carry around to help in need. 

In no particular order: 

1. A "baby" bible. While I like a larger, "floppy-therefore-stays-open-when-laid-on-table" bible to do my daily quiet time, I think it’s just as important to carry the bible around wherever I go. I never know when I might need to share a verse with a friend, quickly look back on an encouraging passage or find a reference to answer a question. Thanks to "smart" phones most people now have an electronic version, but I'm a sucker for a little bible that practically requires a magnifying glass to read... whatever works for you. ;-) 
2. Memorized verse. Ugh. I personally haaaate memorizing, but there is nothing quite like having the Word of God at my disposal in time of need. Sometimes it’s not quite the time or the place to be flipping through the bible or scrolling my phone for an appropriate verse, so I think it’s really important to have them written on my heart (forgive the poetic in me).  If you're new to memorizing, you can practice on your friends! And even better if it’s your nonbeliever friends... just ask them to "test you" on something you're trying to memorize. It can be a good segue to talking more. 
3. A five-minute tale. Speaking of our non-believer friends, I've always found that when that moment of sharing my "testimony" with someone comes up, I can often feel awkward. I have found the best solution to that is to have a little five-minute story already prepared. This is another practice-worthy tool... but definitely worth it! It will definitely boost your confidence if you know you'll be ready if someone asks you about your faith!
4. A journal. Something else definitely worth having around is a rockin' journal. The key is that you'll have to write in it. But, anyone that's ever taken a class in college knows there really IS something to that whole "note" taking business! Once you have your journal you'll have a place to write down the awesome verse you heard during your last small group, or the prayer that you prayed and got an answer to a few months later. 
5. A good list of Promises. Another thing to write in your journal or anywhere else you may please is a list of the verses that God has given you over time. Nothing kicks a bad day in the rear like a reminder of the Truth. Here's a good place to start: "He who has my commands and obeys them, He is the one who loves me, and He who loves me will be loved by the Father and I too will love Him and reveal myself to him (John 14:21). Nothing like being reminded that He WILL reveal himself to us!! Or what about, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7, if I cast anxiety on him he WILL take care of me...”? If you don't have any verses that come to mind, then take a minute. If they still don't come, then start reading your bible a little bit every day and I PROMISE you'll start getting a few right away!
6. A buddy. Every Paul needs their Timothy, every David needs their Jonathan. If you don't have a fellow believer whom you trust to tell you the Truth even when it hurts, to back you up when you're feeling discouraged, to let you borrow their Hope when yours is missing… If you don't have such a friend, start praying for one RIGHT THIS MINUTE. 
7. Some tunes. Some people don't dig worship music, and that’s ok. But I also think there is something to all those Psalms that David wrote. At times there is nothing left but to cry out to the Lord (sometimes in praise, sometimes for help!).
8. A bad memory. (Love keeps no record of wrongs.) Nothing will poison the present and hinder the future like keeping a grudge or holding on to old pain. Don't put it off till tomorrow, but dust off those wrongs from the past and start kicking them out! Find someone you trust and tell them to keep you accountable! 
9. A sense of humor. (Proverbs 31 says, "She laughs at the days to come.") Most days this is my first and last tool that I use, but I admit there are times when I take myself and others waaaaay toooooo seriously. Friends, a good laugh can go a long way. 
10. A broken compass. It always seems that the MOMENT that I know where I'm going and what I'll be doing when I get there, I find out the Lord has other plans! This is definitely true through the college years and beyond! This is why everyone should memorize (ahem, remember #2?) Prov. 16:9: In his heart a man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
11. A good biography. Sometimes the best thing to help me get perspective on my own life is to remember someone else's. Here are some of my FAVORITES: Bruchko, Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur, If I Perish and also The Heavenly Man. 
12. Salvation. This one should not be last. It is most definitely first. In fact, it is the tool BOX itself, not just a tool within it. If we do not know and understand completely what Jesus Christ did for us and accept it for our own lives, then all the other tools are useless. Really, really useless. Jesus Christ is, bottom line, the ONLY thing we need. 

*As you may have realized some of these are "figurative"...especially since your "Buddy" probably wouldn’t enjoy being stuffed in a tool box with a broken compass and some books!

Abigail Wilson is married to a TCU '05 ROTC grad who is currently serving in the USArmy. You can check out her blog at abigailsday.blogspot.com.