What in the World!?

What is going on?  Are we in the beginning stages of the prophesied Great Tribulation?

The news reports we receive daily are about a never-ending series of floods, drought, famines, mudslides, wars, tornadoes, terrorism, earthquakes, arson, racism, tsunamis, crime, drug abuse, murder-suicides, gay rights, socialism, global warming, tea parties, hostile takeovers, tension, disease, wild fires, hurricanes ... world governments in upheaval, and their economies crashing ... need I go on and on and on about all of these horrifying tales of human tragedies ... horrifying accounts of man's inhumanity to man, and nature in chaos ... everywhere we look? 

One thing is sure ... We Are Living in Frightening Times!  

Yes, yes ... since the beginning of mankind we've always had natural disasters and human nature (with all its greed and lust and self-serving vanities.)

But this feels different.

"Tribulation" means "trouble" ... and "the Great Tribulation" is going to be a time of great world trouble.  

Such as was never before.

So think about what you see, and hear, on your own nightly news.

Not a day goes by without hearing some kind of appalling tragedy ... it is on a regular basis ... compounding  occurrences one on top of the other ... increasing in intensities.

Those who are awake, are not blind to such happenings ... even those who are awake and do not believe in a God, are not blind to such happenings ... and more and more we learn of people determined to go back to basics, and prepare.

You and I are one of them.

But ... prepare for what?

Now don't get me wrong ... I am all for "going back to basics and preparing."

In fact, my personal dream is to eventually be in a position to homestead, and scale down possessions, and live a simper life.

My motivation is no longer fear, though.

No longer do I fret and worry that I do not have enough food in stock.  For I am reminded of a prayer ... a simple prayer ... that speaks volumes.

It does not say, "Give us this year our daily bread."

I have faith I will be provided for, and I am making the necessary preparations ... physically, and spiritually.

No longer will I fear I do not have enough, or I haven't done enough.

In spite of these terrifying conditions all around us, we are told, "See that ye be not troubled, for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." (Matthew 24:6)

Somehow, God's people must resist this feeling of  hopelessness, panic, and woe.  We must be joyfully obedient to the command, not request, to "see that we not be troubled!"

We are also told, "And when these things (the events of the "Great Tribulation") begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws nigh!" (Luke 21:28)

When we are "down" ... we tend to look down ... we walk with stooped shoulders; downcast.

But we are told that no matter how horrible the events around us, we should look up ... hold our heads up, and square our shoulders ... and have courage and faith to KNOW that all will be well in the long run.

Yes, I seek faithful autonomy ... I am a faithful prepper.

We need to find other faithful preppers.