Planning For Emergencies

Why I am preparing my family While I am not preparing for an End of the World scenario, I believe that in the near future, America will become a country very hostile toward Christians. I believe that it will become illegal and very, very dangerous to serve Christ. Although I have no intention for anyone in this family to ever hide their faith, I feel that for the sake of each one of us, it is important to be prepared physically and spiritually for this possibility. I also believe that America will soon face an enormous financial crisis that may leave the country in a depression not unlike the Great Depression that took place in the 1920-30's. However, a depression of that magnitude would manifest itself in a greater need. People, today, do not know how to do things on their own and many do not know how to cook something that does not come in a box. In the possibility of this event, I desire for my family to be fed, clothed, and comfortable. I believe that as a child of God, I have a responsibility to be prepared. While there are many more stories in God's Word that show God's provision when His people were not prepared, there are still many that show that believers did prepare before some coming event. Noah built the ark ahead of time, he did not wait until the rain was falling. Joseph had the Egyptians store grain for the coming 7 year famine- enough not only to feed the Egyptian people, but his own family and probably many others. King Hezekiah had the people build aqueducts to provide water in the event that enemies encamped outside of the wall of the city (which then happened). The disciples, on various journeys, sometimes took supplies with them, once even, Christ commanded they take supplies when He sent them out a second time. Prior to the industrial revolution, storing, preserving, and preparing were the norm for families. Food had to be stored for the winter months when few crops would grow. Each person in the family had the necessary skills to perform the tasks they were assigned with as well as the ability to perform others' tasks in the event of sickness or death.

How I am preparing my family I am preparing first, and always with prayer. I could be prepared for everything that could ever possibly happen to our family, however, if we attempt to rely on ourselves instead of in God, our Creator, we have prepared for nothing. God provides what we need, whether He provides before we need it or exactly when we need it, all provision is from Him. I will store nothing, prepare nothing, and learn nothing that is not first bathed in diligent prayer. I prepare with God's Will in mind. I will not prepare out of paranoia or fear, Christ has given us victory over fear. It is most important to be spiritually prepared. While it is our nature to first take care of physical needs, spiritual needs must take precedence. No matter how physically prepared my family becomes, if one of us dies without having found salvation in Christ, physical preparations have done nothing but extend our time on earth while still suffering for an eternity in hell. While ensuring spiritual needs are taken care of, I also intend for all members of my family to be life-learners, always learning new things, always learning skills that will be invaluable in life. If no "emergency" situation ever arises, these skills will only enrich the lives of my family and my posterity. Knowledge and wisdom are the most important physical preparations one can make. If we have tools and goods to survive, but have no knowledge of how to use them, then we might as well not have them at all. In an emergency is NOT the time to learn how to can produce, mend a pair of pants, or fix a broken window.