Being Prepared

With the state of the economy today, the news of earthquakes, tsunamis, and nuclear reactor meltdowns, one has to wonder, 'what would I do if I was faced with similar circumstances?' The answer to this question varies depending on those you talk with. On one end, you have those who believe that our future is all doom and gloom, while others believe that our Almighty Father will provide for our needs without any effort on our part.  Where do I fall within this spectrum?  Somewhere in the middle...let me explain.

I believe the course our nation is taking is unsustainable.  We cannot continue to borrow, borrow, borrow, and not reap the consequences of those actions.  It would be ridiculous for me to continue running up my credit card debt without any consideration of how I could repay the debt, or worse, knowing that I could not repay it. This is what our nation is doing. There must be accountability in our government in order for us to exist.  We cannot continue to throw money at programs, entitlements, etc. without knowing how we are going to pay for them. 

There is always the possibility of natural disasters. Living in the south, we are used to watching for tornadoes and floods. Recently, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and other areas in north Alabama, were devastated by an F5 tornado.  A couple of years ago, the county we live in was hit by massive flooding.  Roads were washed away, buildings were under water, travel was impossible in some areas. Just this year, our area was hit by a massive ice storm. We were unable to leave our driveway for over a week. Within 24 hours of the warning being issued, the grocery store shelves were emptied. Other areas of the of the country experience earthquakes, hurricanes, and fires. When a disaster occurs, the first calls to go out are always for food and water.

I also believe in the sovereignty of God. I believe the Bible is truth from cover to cover, and His promises are sure. I believe His word when He says that He will provide all our needs. But, I also see in Scripture that we are to be prepared. When Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt, the Lord told him to prepare for seven years of famine. When Elijah told the widow to gather and prepare vessels for oil, she did it. Then, the vessels were filled for her use. The ant in Proverbs worked hard to store food for winter.  

How do you prepare for emergencies? How will you provide for your family in the event of natural disaster or financial collapse? These are questions that I have been asking myself for a while now. I will share the steps we are taking, and hope you will share your thoughts as well.