It takes only a read through Joseph’s story in Genesis, how the Lord used his captivity to ultimately raise him to a position of authority to prepare for a coming famine. Joseph’s wise actions in preparing for the future were what saved the people of Israel. What if our actions now lead to salvation for others? What if your neighbors are saved in the eternal sense because of your preparations? If you encounter someone in need who didn’t see the coming crisis, what better way can you demonstrate the love of Jesus and share the Gospel than to provide a meal? You can meet a physical need while offering the answer to their soul’s most vital spiritual need.

I’m not a hoarder or doomsday prepper, but I have checked out a few sites of those who are seasoned preppers and homesteaders. Some of them, those who don’t believe in a rapture, are preparing to be here for decades. Not me. I’m doing the best I can to stock up, but I have to believe, with the current speed at which the Great Reset is emerging, Jesus will be here sooner than our personal storehouses will run out. I’m hoping. I’m praying.

Even if we don’t encounter food shortages or the intentional financial collapse that many foresee in the near future, having basic necessities on hand is wise. From tornados to hurricanes to wildfires, natural disasters happen no matter our geographical region, and we are warned in Scripture that these will only increase like birth pangs. Why would we not be prepared for outages and hindrances to our supply chain?

If you do see and are preparing for many of the eventualities, then I commend you. I’m sure you are sharing with your loved ones how they can try to prepare. I say try since we really can’t know all the possibilities and can hardly prepare for all the unknowns. I’ve stopped allowing all the what-ifs to make me crazy. I listen to the Spirit’s leading and prepare for what I can see and leave the rest in God’s faithful hands.

Before bed last night, I was dealing with worry over something here at home. Just so I could even go to sleep, I had to remind myself at bedtime that my only hope is in trusting Jesus. This morning in my quiet time, a verse came to mind, the NKJV translation of it.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)

Notice what those words say. Peace doesn’t just come because I have my mind stayed on Jesus. I can think of Him all day long, but if I don’t trust Him, peace won’t be present.

There’s never been a time in my life when trusting in the love Jesus has for me and His protective care over me has been more critical. Nothing is certain right now but a rapture. And since we don’t know how soon that will be, we trust in His provision while we wait. We don’t trust in the dollar or gold or silver, as riches fade. We don’t trust in decades worth of food supplies. We simply prepare with wisdom and with the understanding that our food stores may allow us to reach out to others who haven’t prepared.

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?  And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:25-27)

While some use the verse above as rationale for not preparing at all, I see that as irresponsible and unwise. That’s like saying I don’t feel like going to work today, but I know God will give me the money to pay my house payment or buy groceries. Hopefully for them, those who choose not to prepare, they will have people like us as charitable neighbors in times of crisis since we are how the Lord will have to feed them, with our provisions gathered in wisdom. But I believe we can prove through Scripture that His intention is for each man and woman to take care of their own families.

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8)

“Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest. How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— your poverty will come in like a vagabond and your need like an armed man.” (Proverbs 6:6-11)

Finally, go visit the Proverbs 31 woman. She was prepared and could smile at the future. Okay, I’m not smiling at the future, but I do live with a sense of calm and peace over my responsibilities. I’ve done the best I can with what I know. I’m preparing to live life differently if things take a drastic turn as all indicators suggest. Nothing more is expected of me than that.

Spend time with the Lord. Ask for His guidance in how you should prepare your home. More importantly, ask Him to prepare your heart. Watch for the series, Prepare Your Heart. It will be released on Rapture Ready and here on the Daybreak site.