I really hadn’t posted much on this blog about spiritual endurance or spiritual nourishment since my initial post about four months ago, but wanted to revisit this now because I want the things that are most important in “real life” to be better-reflected on this blog in preparation for hard times.
I’ll state unequivocally and without reservation that I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I realize that not everyone will have the same spiritual beliefs and perspectives as I do, and it is not my intent through this blog to try to proselytize or “preach” to anyone. I will, however, stand by my assertion that without the help of someone more powerful than ourselves, there’s no way any of us can really keep our footing and persevere in the face of adversity.
It’s good to have extra food and other supplies during hard times, but that’s not enough. It’s good to have personal protection and means of self-defense for yourself and your loved ones, but that’s not enough. It’s wonderful to be surrounded by like-minded family and friends who are in agreement with you about both the challenges our economy and our society are facing and how to prepare to deal with them, but that’s not enough. You can have all the physical supplies and human support in the world. But spiritual fortitude doesn’t come in cases of dehydrated food, boxes of ammo or the number of people in your retreat group. You can have all the material provisions in the world to get you through years of hard times but still be empty on the inside.
Without God in your life, it’s inconceivable to me how anyone could expect to make it through the tough times that are coming. If you haven’t been to church in a while, find one where they’re giving people real spiritual meat from the Bible, not just the feel-good pablum taught in too many places. Spend time studying the Word, and keep on doing so. Get back into a conversation with God if it’s been a while — He’ll be glad to talk to you and to have your attention again. Find a group of believers who can encourage you in the faith and who you can likewise encourage; there’s spiritual strength in numbers with like-minded people. And when everything in this world starts crashing, take your focus off of the chaos around you and look to God for strength, because He is ultimately the only source any of us can really draw strength from. I’ve been a follower of Jesus for 24 of my almost 40 years, and He has never let me down. I hope you’ll find that same strength through Him.