My first memory of SurvivalBlog is reading the Rawlesian precepts, almost a decade years ago. I remember quickly hurrying over to the ‘Quick Start Guide’ to find out where I should begin. It was there that I read the most important piece of advice for any prepper: “Before you begin to prepare, pray.”
Unfortunately, I thought that this meant little more than a salutary ‘tipping of the hat’ toward heaven before starting out on whatever I thought was best. ‘Do your best, pray it’s blessed, and let God do the rest.’ So I asked the Lord for his blessing and guidance, without really expecting any answer. And then I set forth. I looked for a job in the American Redoubt, began stockpiling guns, ammo, and precious metals. I read any material on prepping I could find. I devoured books and scoured the Internet. I kept a close eye on the news for any hints on what to get ready for.
And then I watched all my prepper plans lead to frustration. I couldn’t find a job outside the major urban complex where I lived. I have forgotten how many resumes I sent, and how many interviews I had. No bites. I wound up having to sell my stockpile when financial hard times came. My timing was always wrong – I would buy at high prices during panics and be forced to sell when medical or credit card bills came due. I struggled to build a common vision for the prepping life with my wife. Where and when should we move? Should I quit my career in the city and try something else? To homeschool, or not to homeschool? I couldn’t seem to get off the ground. I was frustrated, exhausted, and angry. I was stuck.
Maybe this is your experience too?
In this little article, I would like to share what the Lord has taught me about ‘prayer before prepping’ and how these lessons have changed my life and my preps.
Sanctify yourself
We should not expect to hear from the Lord if we are attached to impurity (Exodus 19:10; Joshua 3:5). The impurity may be an overt sin (dishonest business practices, pornography, drunkenness), or it might be something that is simply not edifying in your life (junk food, binge watching television, endless Internet surfing). God has said that He will draw near to us if we draw near to him, but only if we have cleansed our hands first (James 4:8).
In my case, I had to let go of alcohol. I was using it as a nightly crutch to deal with stress (of which I had plenty), and it had to go. It led to dissipation and numbed my mind against hearing fully from the Lord. And it displeased the Lord. If nothing comes immediately to mind for you, ask the Lord! He wants us to be free (Hebrews 12:1, John 8:36, John 10:10).
Cry out to God
To quote a Zach Williams song, ‘bring it all to the table.’ If you are a prepper, you have to be concerned about something. Otherwise, why are you prepping? Talk to your Father about it. Share with Him your concerns, your burdens, as well as the desire of your heart for you and your family. He wants to hear from His children! Do not rush this step – be sure to get it all out before Him.
I actually didn’t have a specific reason for prepping, just a feeling that something bad was coming soon. Things just didn’t seem right. And the feeling would not go away. What are you worried about? What do you feel the need to prep for?
Submit to God
You must be willing to let God direct your life and your family. He may not lead you to move to the American Redoubt. He may call you to inner city ministry in San Francisco. Or He may ask you to stay right where you are.
I suspect that in most cases, however, His calling for you is not too distant from the desires of your heart. But those desires may need a little realigning to fit with His purposes. My brother says that if the Lord calls you to be a missionary in China, then He has probably already given you a heart for China. You might have had a lifelong interest in Chinese history, or the Lord may have given you a lot of Chinese friends. I know there are exceptions (see the book of Jonah), but in general it would be strange for the Lord to give you a love for India and then call you to Alaska.
In my case, I developed a loathing of big cities. I hated shopping malls and crowded restaurants. I longed constantly for the quiet of the outdoors. I would wait for the constant road noise to die down late at night, and then spend as much time as I could staring at the stars from my tiny backyard. I longed to leave the big city, but I had to be willing to stay put (if that was what He asked), before my desire would be realized.
Listen and wait
The Lord has many ways of speaking to His people. In some cases, the Lord answers by signs and wonders (Judges 6:36-40; Exodus 3). In others, He speaks in a still small voice (1 Kings 9:11-13). Sometimes He speaks in dreams (Genesis 41; Matthew 2:13-14) or in visions (Acts 16:9-10). Or through the word of a friend (Acts 10:9-19). Or even by angelic visitors (Luke 1:26-38). Who knows how He will speak to you? But it is so important that you expect Him to answer.
And then you must wait on His timing. Even if you have discerned God’s will, do not move until He says ‘Go.’ We should remember the story of Moses, and not kill the Egyptian (Exodus 2:11-22). Moses had the desire to see God’s people delivered, but had not yet received the Lord’s anointing or His calling. He didn’t wait for the ‘go.’ And he wound up for years in the desert.
Step out in faith
The Lord will not honor those that do not trust Him (Numbers 13 and 14). Once you have received the direction of the Lord and are assured of His timing, take the first steps. ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.’ How was his faith demonstrated? By leaving Ur of the Chaldeans and heading out for the promised land. Let us remember that faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
My first step was to ask my boss if I could telecommute. I felt the Lord telling me to do so. I was sure my boss would say no, but I acted on faith and asked. And my boss said yes.
Conclusion
Brothers and sisters, I hope this small word will encourage you to reach out to our precious Father for direction in these stormy times. He has wonderful plans for our lives, if we will surrender our wills to His and follow Him in faith.
The Lord did eventually lead me to relocate to the American Redoubt, and we are busily preparing for the storm to come. And I still enjoy reading SurvivalBlog. The best part is that I have so much more peace now that I am listening to Lord’s voice in my life. Where will He lead you? Wouldn’t you like to find out?
Thank you. Sin is that blind spot we cling to where the enemy is allowed to attack us at will. God already knows are strengths and weaknesses – He created us. You are on the spot correct about His desire for us to SUBMIT all our heart to His direction ~ the good, the bad and the ugly/ past, present and future. Our plan inherently lacks vision compare to His.
LuvYerBro
thank you for such an excellent post
Excellent reminder!
Well he just spoke to me through this man, I have been having the same issue as he, but now I see what I have been doing wrong. God bless you mister. Thanks for the slap in the face. We can here his whispers if we are busy screaming at the wind. God bless
We are spiritual beings having a human experience. If we are not right with God, we are not sensitive to his spirit, and our prayers will not be heard. We would lack his guidance. Asked to be shown what we should repent of, ask for a humble and repentant heart that will be sensitive to His spirit, ask for discernment, and wisdom. Ask to Him to place you with the right persons, and in the place of His choosing. He will choose better for us than we would for ourselves.
Our flesh and sin nature blinds and binds us. We must each day strive to resist our sin nature to stay as close to God as possible, and be guided. Without God in our lives, we are clueless in this spiritual war. As preppers we are attempting to resist, and are not in agreement with society that is ruled by sin, and subservient to Satan, who would devour us. Those who are in agreement, who live in sin are apart of the Beast, do not suffer as we do, as they do not threaten, yet strengthen the Beast. We are attacked because we go against the rules, and laws of main stream society. We do not fit in, and are punished, and would eventually be destroyed if not protected and shielded with His armor. Guided and protected with His spirit, we can navigate this spiritual battlefield, and be successful as preppers, and more important, as Christians who are apart of the remnant. With out His guidance and protection, we may not be successful, and do His will.
In the end is not about what society deems as ‘success’ , but if we chose the straight and narrow path, that few find, that leads to spiritual victory, and salvation, that counts. Strive each day, and God will make up for the rest. And we will have more peace in this life as well. The Lord is faithful. I just don’t say that, I *know* that. This defines what is ‘faith’. It is not a ‘belief’.
The power of His Holy Ghost is more powerful than most can imagine, He is very real, and when it’s move on you, you will know it. I can’t imagine going into this horrible future without His guidance, but if you are not right with Him, then He cannot help you.
Matthew 7:14
“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Your words bless me.
Much wisdom there Tunnel Rabbit.
Beautifully written. We’ve been waiting on God. Speaks directly to my heart. Excellent advice. Thank you.
Thank you for your insight! Wonderfully written! God Bless you and your family – thank you for the nudge and the reminder! (and thank you Survivalblog for choosing to post!)
I have been preparing for years, looking for a place in the mountains, a safe refuge from the coming storm. I didn’t understand why I hadn’t moved yet.. nowhere seemed right. Then I realized that this was “my” plan, not God’s. I have only come to realize this in the last two weeks. I am taking this article as confirmation from the Lord. Thank-you. I am now waiting for His voice.
Dear C.H., I am so deeply touched by your comments tears are running down my face. Yes, your words are encouraging to my soul. Please consider writing on a regular basis. We can all use inspiration as the enemy tries to thwart the Lord’s children.
Wow, you did a great job on this article. It is amazing how your own struggle will bless so many others. I think your turn-around was rather quick in the scheme of things. So many never figure out why “things” are not working out. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Thank you for this excellent article. I am ready to begin looking at properties in either Redoubt, but the hubby isn’t on board with moving. Both of our mothers are elderly, and we both would hate to leave them. Let’s all pray for each other — to have discernment.
What a beautiful article. Thank you!!! It wasn’t until I had lost everything that I finally gave up and said “Okay God, I’ve been trying really hard and obviously whatever I’m doing isn’t working. I give up. I give up in a good way – I give it all to You. Let your will be done in my life, even in death.” I thought I was in His will all that time. No, I was in my will with constant prayers asking Him to bless my will. Backwards. I guess some of us are soooo stubborn it takes flat out devastation to relinquish everything. What happened next was astounding. I went through cancer treatment and I lived with good prospects of a future!! My husband left me when I was diagnosed, but wow am I enjoying the peace and quiet of a restful life now. God brought me to the most beautiful cabin in the woods in the Redoubt! A dream come true. Every day I wake up, I praise God, and am thankful for every little thing. LOL. Honestly, every day is a joy. I don’t want to ever forget what it took to get here. Mainly, laying it all down at the foot of the cross, letting completely go, and trusting Him. Amen.
Your words here touched me. I may be doing the same thing that you did without realizing it. Asking God to bless my will – how foolish. I thought I knew better than that. You have caused me to introspect. Thank you and God bless.
Thank you, C.H., for sharing with those of us who needed to read this, for both admonishment and encouragement. My 36 year old son and his family have a strong desire to leave New Mexico for the Inland Northwest, and my wife and I share in that desire to move with them. In fact, my son actually moved to Post Falls in the summer of 2018 with a full time job at a certain knife manufacturing plant. The plan was for his wife to sell their house (hot seller’s market) and follow him. Literally the week he left, the seller’s market went completely flat. After four months, he resigned his job on good terms and returned to NM, where he got his old job back within a few days. I’m going to share your story with him. I am obliged to you.
Thank you. One of the most moving articles this site has ever published.
Wonderful testimony CH. Thank you!
As far as God speaking to us can we also include that He speaks to us mostly through His word? It is obvious that He does that with you with the many scripture references that you used but it wasn’t exactly stated.
Please don’t stop writing……
Well said!
Also reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Also Revelation 22:20 (KJV) “He which testifieth of these things saith: Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
Thank you. I downloaded this so that I could refer to it when needed.
I’ve been reading this blog for almost ten years and this is my favorite article ever! I appreciated that you took the time to carefully reference Scripture, your article was well written, you shared something of immeasurable value, and your story was incredibly uplifting! Thank you. Welcome to the Redoubt. We are very fortunate and blessed to have you here.
Praise the Lord! I love this article, If God isn’t part of you plan, DON’T!!!! God will all ways provide in every way at the time he wants you to step out in faith. HE will direct your paths, HE will provide enough and to spare, financially, physically, mentally, and helpers if needed.
He will lead you to where your supposed to go, open doors, and shut doors. He will provide everything you need just in time. You will not be lacking for anything.
When it was time for me to move, The Lord spoke to my spirit, and basically said Go to Oregon, I have a place for you to be, He provided through my inheritance, the funding to buy a home for cash. the home was the right size for us, and it had a shop just the right size to fit my small electronic business. I am comfortable, God has provided ministry options, for my wife and I, He has given us wonderful friends who are like family to share our experiences. He blessed us financially, without any effort from our own hands. I am a disabled vet, but not at the time we moved here, though I was close, I am provided for financially through several sources. God has a bountiful store house for us. HE PROVIDES, through sources beyond our wildest dreams.
Thankyou Daddy for loving us so much.
David
Dave of Oregon- “Thank you Daddy for loving us so much”… you hit the bullseye with that round. I love how in the Old Testament God is sometimes referred to as “Abba”, which is the intimate way of saying “Daddy”. Jesus use the term when calling out to God from the Garden of Gethsemane when he was about to allow Himself to be murdered on our behalf. He has a parent’s love for us and will always pursue us if we leave the fold.
That was a heartfelt story. I needed to hear it. Thank you for sharing.
C.H. bless you for your article, very timely.
God uses donkeys (Numbers 22:21-39 – NIV) and He used hornets to get my attention several weeks ago. True and pathetic story of the Lord’s gentle consequences of watching “R” rated show I should NOT have been watching. While not normally a binge TV viewer I had watched a free HBO channel episode during Direct TV free viewing schedule and succumbed to the temptation & binge watched the whole 1st season. Then I felt guilty, went outside for some chores I should had been doing instead of watching and got stung by a hornet under my long sleeve shirt by my waist while watering a fern I’ve water dozens of times before. I didn’t get the lesson. Next day I promptly binged watched 2nd season and got stung by two hornets through my shirt after thinking I had got rid rid of them from the fern. I then got the lesson. Told my wife and she just smiled, I told her no more R rated shows for me. Isn’t that the devils plan, to constantly tempt us and wanting us not change.