On the shelves in my basement are 63 bottles of water, 75 pounds of whole wheat kernels, eleven 2-liter bottles filled with rice and dried beans, a few stacks of canned food, a stash of basic medical supplies, a solar powered radio/battery charger, and the supplies for homemade candles that will burn for weeks.
Ok, I admit it. I’m a ‘prepper.’
While I’m not ready to dig up the backyard to install an underground shelter, or have the trailer ready-packed to ‘bug out,’ I am convinced that it’s wise -and biblical- to be prepared for an unforeseen emergency. [see other posts: Planning vs. Trusting Part 1 & Part 2] So, on my regular trips to the store, I usually throw something in the cart that I intend to save for later. I realize that there are a lot of people who would consider my routine a little unbalanced or fearful and advise me to stop watching so many disaster movies, but with the way things are changing so rapidly these days, I just don’t think it’s a far-fetched idea to believe there could be a natural or man-made calamity that would cause us to be without power, water or other basic services for a period of time. I figure, if something does happen, the benefit of having a mini-storehouse to draw on will be well worth the effort.
…. and spiritually, I’d say the same thing
In this world you will have trouble… John 16:33
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds… James 1:2
The New Testament is full of warnings about the trials and difficulties that believers can expect to encounter. Some (like spiritual warfare) are specific to those who live out an uncompromising faith in Christ… Others come as a part of living in a fallen world and are common to everyone. But regardless of the source of our adversity, scripture advises us to be prepared for it. Despite these admonitions, a lot of believers anticipate endless sunny skies and consequently, are caught off guard by difficulty and have nothing but an ‘empty tank’ upon which to draw to sustain them.
My advice is to survive the inevitable dark times is to begin building a store-house right now.
I don’t mean to advocate following my grocery store routine. Instead I’m talking about making and effort to fill your life with spiritual supplies that will sustain you when disaster hits.
Has God been good to you today? Pack a container and label it ‘Abundant Blessing’
Did God grant your petition? Put another can of “Answered Prayer” on the shelf.
Do you have a promise from Scripture? Fill a cubby-hole with “God’s Word.”
Did you receive a timely call from a friend? Hang onto that recharger called “Encouragement.”
Did you make a mistake and find forgiveness? Stockpile your life with God’s inexhaustible grace and limitless mercy!
All these wonderful things and so many more are supplied abundantly to us through our relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ. It’s now up to us to learn how to draw on them and allow them to sustain us when the ‘lights’ begin to flicker.
Hi are you aware of the Comet Linear on you tube BPEarth Watch. In May from May 23 to 25th 2014 we could for 30 Hours be passing through a 2 Million Mile Wide Debree Field from the Comet they say. So Proverbs 3:5-6 Trusting in Jesus and Watching and Praying a must. Only God knows the future so in good hands with God.
I’m not aware of that story, Timothy. That could be interesting… hopefully not dangerous. Matthew 24 and Revelation describes a lot of interesting celestial things that will take place some time in the future. But no matter what happens, we can trust that God has a plan and that He is in control! Thanks for reading and commenting!
We too, have a mini-storehouse fill with essential supplies in case of an EMERGENCY. You so aptly gave us a viewpoint on being prepared–being prepared with the never-ending supply of God’s Grace and Mercy. We can’t store in the garage enough food, light, power, etc., forever. Only for a brief period. But God’s Word, His blessing, His Light will last for eternity. So, it might be wise to have an extra Bible stored in an emergency…just in case!
GREAT idea, Mel! definitely a Bible needs to be in the emergency kit… AND keep God’s Word safely tucked in our hearts as well!
HI Karen, I LOVE where you took us with this post. I didn’t know where you were headed but I totally resonate with the spiritual analogy you gave us. Blessings, Amy
Thanks Amy! Believers need to be better at storing up God’s blessings to help us get through the storms. I’m glad you were encouraged and challenged!
Great post and so very true! We need to stack up on everthing that God offers to us.
Great advice! If we daily stay filled with the Holy Spirit and in God’s word then we will have a “stockpile” for those difficult days! Blessings!
No substitute for God’s Word in preparing us for whatever is ahead. I also thing keeping a journal is a valuable tool to help us remember what He’s already done in our lives! It builds confidence in His faithfulness during those inevitable dark times. Thanks for your comment, Misty!
Thank you for the encouragement to be better prepared. I’m not as prepared as you, but perhaps I should be!
Excellent thoughts. We always think, “Oh, sunny days will stay forever!”
As I write this, it’s foggy outside. And cold. Really cold. But it’s warm inside, and we have food stored from the garden’s bounty in the spring. In my soul, I store up the goodness and mercy of God, and walk with Him every day, REAAALLLL close.
I don’t like bad surprises. I like to be prepared. Nice post.
I agree! I don’t like bad surprises either. Best to be prepared. Thank goodness God has given us all we need to weather anything! Thanks for reading!
Yes we must always remember what the Lord has done for us in the past and dwell on His faithfulness. Thanks for posting