In 2015, the cargo ship El Faro sailed into Hurricane Joaquin. There were warnings. There were chances to change course. There were signs that the storm was getting worse. But the problems were not dealt with early enough. By the time everything became critical, the ship was taking on water, had lost propulsion, and was fighting for its life. All 33 people on board died.

There is a lesson in that for every man. One of my favorite quotes says, “A ship is safest in the harbor, but that is not what ships are built for.” That is true. But the harbor is also where you prepare. That is where you make repairs. Load supplies. Check your equipment. Study the route. Fix the things that can kill you later if you ignore them now.

That is what the Stronghold is supposed to be. We are not here to hide from life. We are here to get ready for it. Because storms are coming. Problems with money. Problems in marriage. Problems with your health. Problems with your children. Loss. Temptation. Failure. Pressure. Hard decisions.

You cannot stop every storm from coming, but you damn sure can decide whether you meet it weak and unprepared or ready for whatever comes over that horizon. Too many men ignore the small warning signs in their lives until they become emergencies.

They know something is wrong with their marriage, but they keep putting it off. They know their health is going downhill, but they keep saying next week. They know their finances are a mess, but they keep spending. They know their children are drifting, but they tell themselves it will work itself out. That is how small problems become hurricanes.

And when a man refuses to correct his course early, sometimes he is not the only one who pays for it. His wife can pay for it. His children can pay for it. His whole family can go down with him. God forbid.

So while the water is calm, prepare. Fix what needs fixing. Strengthen what is weak. Get your body right. Get your faith right. Get your money right. Get your house in order. Learn how to make good decisions before you are exhausted, afraid, and getting hit from every direction.

Because when the storm is already on top of you, it may be too late to start preparing. The harbor is not where a man is supposed to stay forever. It is where he gets himself ready for the open sea.