Swine Flu

A new friend of mine recently alerted me of an article I just finished reading. It's about the Swine Flu. It's one of the best pieces I've read so far that really helped keep all the concern in check, grounded a little more is reason.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/04/29/Swine-Flu.aspx

Also, we as believers have nothing to fear. We are immune. I'm not talking about our physical bodies necessarily but we have been vaccinated against fear and this vaccine has only good side effects.

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." - 2 Tim 1:7

And, as mentioned in a previous post, God has also taught us the wisdom of preparation. I know that even for faithful believers that walking this line (between preparation and fear) can be difficult. Pray for the grace to do so with excellence. Pray for discernment and discretion.

Let me encourage you, for various reasons, to consider building your pantry food stores to at least a 30-day supply. Try not to let the common arguments get in the way of this wise practice (if you agree it's wise). If it makes you fearful to consider it then pray against the fear and then in faith move forward.

There is much Christian literature on this, on the web and even local seminars. Find out when the next one is and block out that time. I'm suggesting you not spend an extra penny on anything you aren't going to use anyway.

And before I get too far along this rabbit trail (sounds like a good topic for another post) let me just mention one last thing. Ok, maybe two.

If you feel you do not have enough cabinet space to store 30 days of nonperishables, think outside the box, seriously. Think garage, basement, closets, etc. Of course make sure they are heated & cooled to living temperatures. You can sort the food by expiration date and store it in clear totes. There are no lack of techniques. At the same time there is also no lack of natural objections (complaints of inconvenience, unconventional use of space, perceptions, etc). But you've got to think beyond the veil of these things, but not in fear. If you feel yourself getting worked up, STOP! Pray, and return when you have peace. Please, as my brothers and sisters, please give this serious consideration.

And I haven't forgotten that second thing (surprisingly). And this is way down the trail but worth it. If you are talking with a brother or sister in the Lord and they trust you (whether they should or not) with information about their preparedness (they are likely not bragging but trying to encourage you) please, do not say something careless and foolish like, "Well, if it does get bad, we're going to come knock on your door and live with you." This is so "wrong" on so many different levels. I don't mean wrong necessarily from a moral sense but more like that's probably not the best thing to say, to put it lightly.

First of all, it's just plain insensitive. How do you think it makes the other person feel, whether you think it's funny joking or not? I can assure you your prepared brothers and sisters have already considered that possibility. And I would dare say, they probably do have extra for that reason. But I will also say that many of them own weapons (firearms) are on the lookout for more, have a healthy inventory of ammunition and they aren't doing so without purpose. They aren't buying firecrackers to scare kids off. Often these comments I'm referring to are for saving face. It's almost like the unprepared person's thinking, "Well, I'm completely unprepared so I'm going to make fun of this person." Kind of like a teacher's pet mentality. If you feel or sense this seed of thought rising up inside you, please, for everyone's sake, resist it. Genuinely try something like, "Well, it sounds like you have really thought this thing out. Maybe we could get together some time and you could tell me more about where someone could start." If that gives you the shivers just to think about it, please pray and ask the Lord to lead your heart righteously and in wisdom.

I think that's enough heart-to-heart soap boxing for now. I hope you can hear my sincere tone and I hope it comes across as humble as the Lord wants me to be.

I'm sure there will be more on pantry building so stay tuned.

- Wade Baker