We interrupt this regularly scheduled program to bring you a special bulletin…”
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. - 1 Peter 1: 6-9
As I mentioned in my post last week, one thing covid has taught us is that our regular routine - from exercising in the gym, to flying home for Christmas, to buying that reliable item at the store whenever you want it - can be taken away from us without further notice.
This should be obvious in a world where everything is temporary and fleeting, yet we’ve been so used to our creature comforts, our ways of being, social structure, the value of money - the flow of it all - that we’ve been lulled into an expectation that when we wake up tomorrow, we will be able to rinse and repeat and get the same results. This is this and that is that and so it is.
I am naturally a skeptic, but I am also a “fail forward” person who is willing to make leaps of faith and enjoy the journey. I try to balance impulsivity and mistrust, hanging out somewhere between a raw exuberance toward experiencing life and the anticipation of a worst-case scenario.
This proved useful and prophetic when I was faced with the choice of moving to British Columbia from New York in 2017. My son’s father was moving to Vancouver Island and wanted our son to be there with him for at least half the year. At the time, I didn’t want to move because my life and family were in the States, and many people encouraged me to remain behind, having our son go back and forth. Beyond that sounding too difficult for him, and after much prayer, I discerned going along to Canada was the best option: the leap-of-faith side of me said it would be a worthy adventure; the worst-case-scenario side said, “And what if something happens in the world where the border shuts down and if I would not be able to get to my child?”
Both have proven to be completely true, despite the latter being an outrageously “paranoid” conjecture at the time...which circles back to the point of this article: things will not always continue the way they have been, which, if we are relying on that way, can prove difficult, even dangerous. So it begs the question: can we prepare for the interruptions and “new normals” - and if so, how?
Welcome to the world of Prepping. Unfortunately, this term has gained a negative connotation thanks to the extremists within the movement, which I suppose happens in every genre of life. The image you might get of prepping may be the stereotyped caricature: the dude in camo with a scraggly beard carrying a rifle (or two or three) living in an underground bunker out in the woods with a stockpile of freeze dried fettuccine alfredo. Maybe he’s got a MAGA hat; maybe he’s got a map on the wall with pushpins and red strings connecting Roswell, New Mexico to the Denver airport (if you know, you know…), maybe he never owned a cell phone cuz Big Brother...and don’t get him started on the mark of the beast.
Not your style? No worries. “Prepping” can be called something else that has far less baggage: Preparedness. And being prepared is something that many “normal” folk do, from homesteader moms canning their garden goods, to first responders making sure they know CPR and the best routes to emergency care sites. My son’s school had earthquake preparedness packets and protocol, and I’m in a Bible study that prepares us with scripture passages for conversations in which we may find ourselves. Thus, preparedness is an umbrella term that simply means: are you ready for what might happen down the road - be it a long winter, a car accident, a natural disaster, or a curious seeker?
Prepping/Preparedness is a huge topic and endeavor. I’ve been listening to many podcasts and reading numerous blogs and frankly, it’s overwhelming and intimidating. I feel like I not only know nothing, but that I will never be as equipped - and even as cool - as many survivalists out there with their fancy gear, nuanced skill sets, and years’ worth of stock.
But we cannot let this fluster us into not preparing. Being prepared doesn’t have to be fancy and overly complex. With community, we can share skills and resources too. And as with any endeavor, you can only start where you are, with what you have, and grow from there. While it’s not true that I know nothing, it is true that I lack some fundamental skills and knowledge that could save my life or someone else’s. And again - I’m not talking about MacGyver or Navy Seal level intel - just practical, basic knowledge. This leads me to number one on my list of…
10 Questions to Ask Yourself as You Prep for Being a Prepper:
Are you psyching yourself out? Half the battle is mental and psychological preparedness: You have to believe you WILL endure!
How’s your physical health? No matter how many cool gadgets and fancy gear you may have, if you’re not fit, you won’t get very far.
What’s a natural skill/ability/tool you already have? What can you lean on, be confident in, build upon, and offer to others?
What’s one additional thing would you like to know or have? What’s the next thing you could easily add to your arsenal of tools or skills that would level you up?
What’s the most likely “worst case scenario” you’d be facing? In your given location, what is the most practical thing to prepare for? Each type of emergency requires different intel.
Think back to a situation you experienced in the past that tested you physically, mentally, emotionally...how did you do, and could you improve? No shame here - did you crumble under pressure? Did you find yourself saying, “Doh!” Because you forgot a simple tool? Or be confident of a time you really stepped up and were able to figure your way out of a tight spot.
Look around your home. In a situation where you could not get to a store for 7 days and the electricity and water did not work, would you be ok? It’s wise to not have to rely on a last minute run to the store, especially knowing everyone else will be running there and supplies may be out.
In a situation you’d be forced to leave your home, do you have an exit strategy? Do you have a contingency plan? Vehicle? Place to crash? People to get to? A grab bag of supplies ready to go?
What’s your level of skill, comfort, and mental preparedness for self-protection? Do you have anything that could be used to protect your person…and would you be able to use it effectively?
Who’s on your team/ who’d you like to help? Community is essential: share skills, supplies, locations, and emotional support. Likewise, it’s just as important to know who’s not on your team - who is not trustworthy, who would get you in further trouble. This isn’t to say you can’t help other people, but you may not be able to rely on everyone.
These questions will help you assess where you’re at psychologically and practically when considering being prepared. And please note: the goal is not to be obsessed about the worst case scenario; it could happen, which is why we prepare, but let’s always hope for the best. Remember that balance I spoke of earlier: while it can serve us to be healthfully skeptical about the world around us, remember to maintain the joy, peace, and the wonder of life; see the journey toward preparedness as a leap of faith into a great adventure...worst case scenario in that sense, is that you walk away having gained something useful.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. - 1 Peter 4:12-16
