Why Prepare for a Possible Emergency?

The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage,                                                                        But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty (Proverbs 21:5).

Perhaps you heard the story of a man who worked in the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in NYC in the 1990’s.  He was there when the World Trade Center was bombed at that time and, afterward, decided he needed a plan.  The man planned out an escape route from his office in the Twin Towers just in case something like that ever happened again.  When Osama bin Laden’s terrorist group bombed the Twin Towers on 9/11, this man was trapped on one of the top floors, but he was one of the few who made it out alive.  Why?  He had a plan.  He didn’t utilize his plan for a number of years, but when he suddenly needed that escape route, he already had a plan in place and it saved his life.

When a snow storm is predicated here in Pennsylvania, the local grocery stores are pummeled with anxious shoppers.  Bread and milk shelves are emptied, shovels and de-ice bags sell like hot cakes.  The long lines at grocery stores and gas stations indicate that the local community finds wisdom in being prepared for a storm—even if they prepare only hours before it strikes.

I love to repeat the words of Jesus, the greatest lover of all humanity.  It’s recorded in Matthew 16:3 that Jesus said, “Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?”   (Come on, how many more SIGNS do we need, people?)  Do we believe the predictions of the weather man more than we believe the signs of the times Jesus shared with us in Matthew 24?

Dr. Paul R. Williams, MD, says, “The increase in the frequency and severity of disasters—whether manmade or natural—over the past few years is undeniable.  Yet what is most disturbing to me as I travel and speak around the US is that around 90% of people are unprepared for even common disasters.”  Dr. Williams told 700 Club viewers to at least prepare for three days in case of natural disaster.

Are you ready?  Do you think you need to prepare at all?

Personally, I don’t think it can hurt to have a three day or three week supply of groceries, gas, water, and heat supply on hand in our homes.  Here’s a simplified overview of emergency preparedness:

1. Buy enough groceries/supplies to last your family for three weeks.
2. Before they expire, use up the food supply every six months.
3. Buy more groceries to replace the supply what you just used.

Some people say they don’t want to have an emergency plan because that creates fear, or that shows that you are just fearful and not trusting God.  However, there are times when God told His people that a famine was coming or that they needed to “flee” or escape what was coming.  What are your thoughts on this?

(On another matter—I am going to try to discipline myself to send off a blog every Tuesday and Thursday throughout this summer.  I feel it’s imperative to get this message out right away).

Stay with me because on Thursday I will present to you a simple list by Dr. Paul R. Williams and another planner—someone who frequently comments on this blog!