Saturday, October 30, 2010

Essential Preparedness Tools of the Trade Part I - Faith



Sir Knight and I have talked at length about preparedness.  We have written lists, taken inventories and read about others' preparedness efforts.  We have had "off-grid" weekend experiments, done unit studies on "The Little House on the Prairie" and even went so far as to take the plunge and become "non-electric".  We have made a lot of mistakes and we have learned a tremendous amount.

One question that I hear a lot is "what is the best off-grid/preparedness tool"?  I used to answer that question flippantly with something like "our wood cookstove or Coleman lanterns or a generator".  Those answers, while accurate to a certain degree, fall short of communicating our greatest strength.

Our years of living off the grid, of struggling to be self-sufficient and independent, have, in reality, shown us how dependent we really are.  When we have exhausted our strength and money and resources and the generator breaks....again, we have to look up.  When we can no longer do it on our own, we have to ask the One who can do anything.

"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God".  Psalm 20:7

We have learned that although we can stock up on food and fuel and equipment, our trust is not in those things, but in God alone.  We believe that God has called us to prepare, and we are heeding His call, but we have no idea what comes next.  And to tell the truth, it doesn't really matter.  Our only job is to do what He tells us.  Our trust is in Him, not in the mass of "stuff" we have collected.

If we ever experience TEOTWAWKI, all of the food supplies and preparations we have made will be a blessing, however, God himself will sustain us.  It is He that directs how those provisions will be used.  We have learned that we cannot put our trust in what we have, rather in Who we serve.



We have all heard "there are no atheists in foxholes".  The same goes for a global disasters, national disasters, local disasters or family disasters.  When push comes to shove, we all need something to believe in.  Our faith has seen us through a life-threatening ordeal with our infant son, a still-born daughter and the hardships of an off-grid life.  Our faith will see us through whatever comes next, be it years of tranquility or years of untold horror.

"Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.  For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken."
                                            Proverbs 3:25-26


Our Faith in Jesus Christ is our first, best preparedness tool of the trade.

9 comments:

  1. Wow, that is so awesome, Enola. I couldn't agree with you more. We often loose sight of where "it" all comes from. He supplies ALL our needs, no matter how needy we are. Thank you for sharing those awesome thoughts.

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  2. I got injured in an accident onboard a ship in the Navy years ago after a tour in the Persian Gulf. I started having physical problems (related to the accident) and lost my job. In the past two years I had three surgeries at a veterans hospitol and I may have another surgery on the way. I said many prayers in the last several years and Im still here and Im thriving too. This praying thing really works! Someone upstairs is keeping me around for something. My prepardness is limited for now, but Im pretty well stocked up on faith.

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  3. Good post, my friend. Puts it all in perspective. Our GOD is in control!!!

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  4. "we are heeding His call, but we have no idea what comes next... Our only job is to do what He tells us." So true! Why do we make it so much more difficult then that? Why, HA! Why do we ask why and need an answer like we are 4 year olds? He says, we do. He puts something on our heart, we follow. Thanks for the reminder, this applies to whatever He calls us to!

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  5. Your post exactly hit the spot with me today, Enola.

    Thanks,

    Bill Smith

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  6. so true so true!!!!!!we will need to remember this in the days to come. american woman

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  7. Yes, thank you for the reminder. All too often I forget who is really in control, then I get a subtle reminder - like your post. He's in control, and knowing that is a great relief. Even if all else is gone - family, friends, home and hearth - He is always with us.

    Enola Gay, you rock!

    NoCal Gal

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  8. wonderful article enola! have you ever had the chance to witness a sworn atheist when they are just entering a crisis-such as a car accident or spilled milk etc....the first words out of their mouth is "oh, God". i think that non believers actually do believe in God...they just don't want to admit it until something happens.

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  9. I say, "Amen." Thank you for the reminder of who we run to!!!

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