12 Survivalist Tips for 2021: Wisdom Versus Fear

hollymarietong — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 21:40:03 +0000

If you follow me on Facebook, you may have read my post yesterday. It was long as usual, because well, I have a hard time condensing. Sometimes I get off track. With that said, I’m afraid this information may have been somewhat hidden due to length. I still want as many of my loved ones to see this as possible, so I’ve majorly condensed my original post.

As I mentioned on Facebook, I refuse to get into a political debate. These tips should not become “politicized,” and I’m honestly not sure why they would after what we ALL just witnessed in 2020…..regardless of our stances.

This is simply me caring about EVERYONE, regardless of their beliefs.

I just believe based on what I’m hearing and seeing…..as well as knowing that so much of what I was warned about 5-10 years has already happened, that we should be prepared.
I cannot predict what is going to happen or when. I will not pretend to. I said we should be prepared – not fearful. I want to emphasize that important piece right now. The Lord reminds us over and over again not to fear, but he also gives us plenty of insight to know that we still have some responsibilities we must hold up in this life. To me, reasonable and unselfish preparation is wisdom….not paranoia.
I am not speaking of buying out your grocery stores, hoarding, or getting a “me-me-me” mindset).
Unselfish preparation means doing so with the Christ-like willingness to share your “extra” with a neighbor or someone in need.
While the Bible never specifically tells us to “stock up,” I don’t believe that some wise planning means “you don’t trust God enough.” Though God loves, protects and provides, we do live in a fallen world where the enemy seeks to destroy. I think the vast majority of us have also had at least some small experience with a natural disaster or extended power outage. I personally have witnessed “scarcity” in areas.
I’m just trying to remind everyone I love that it’s okay to be realistic and take a few notes from 2020. With further ado……

12 pieces of “survivalist advice” for 2021:

1) Stay calm and stay IN THE WORD….not in the world. Give every single one of your worries, fears and anxieties to God. I made this #1 for a reason. Even though nothing looks “okay” right now…it will be okay, as long as He is where your ultimate trust is invested. He WILL provide, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do our part to some level.

2) Stay stocked up on necessities. Do not freak out….I repeat, do not freak out, get selfish and buy out your whole grocery store. That is not what I’m suggesting at all, so please do not blow this out of proportion.

However, if at all possible, try to always have 2 weeks to a month of groceries and necessities on hand. If you stock up over time (unselfishly and here and there), you may realize you have a good 2 month supply on hand. And how awesome that you may be able to help a neighbor, an elderly person in need, or someone else God may put in your path.

I was warned about 10 years ago that the toilet paper/general paper panic was coming. No lie. So I always had extra…but I always left PLENTY for everyone else.

I know so many people think TP and paper goods are the biggest concern (and I agree to grab a pack each time you go to the store), but don’t forget that there are supplies more important than paper.

Do have bottled or jugged water, canned veggies, fruits, soups, beans, meats, jerkys, peanut butter, crackers and other non-perishable sources on hand. If you’re a canner…can away all you can. If you have a garden and are a farmer…you are two steps ahead.

I personally don’t like the idea of an overkill of processed foods, but in a survivalist situation: I’ll be thankful for my processed junk. Typically, I try to limit what I bring into the house and avoid sweets-buying, except for those fun splurges that we all deserve. And due to my medical instructions for a high salt diet (I’m seriously not joking), I have to keep chips and crackers in the house at all times. I’m telling you there is still a place for “some” non-perishables.

Getting the “fresh” may not always be so easy and accessible for a time. Unfortunately, we also know the “fresh” doesn’t last long.

Though it may disgust you and your health beliefs, you probably should have some canned meats in your cupboard that are good for years to come.

Also, if you can afford it – a 30 day survival kit at some point wouldn’t be a bad idea.

It’s also wise to keep soaps, toothpaste, hygienic/cosmetic supplies, detergent and cleaning products on hand.

For years, I’ve been buying ahead on some of these things as well (1 or 2 at a time while on sale or as I can). I have a couple shelves in my closet of little things I have extra of. I never let it get out of hand and always use the oldest first. This is not like the extreme couponing show, okay? I have ZERO use for 300 bottles of ketchup. Just remember, if shortages occur, I’m far from the ultimate “doomsday supply house.” Please know that.

Laugh all you want, but after the big TP craze happened, I thought, “yep…. it ended up happening just like I was told it would.” (Still, this didn’t mean anyone should be selfish and fill their whole entire cart. That’s just silly).

…Moving along…

3) Keep a full tank of gas. If you have a habit of leaving your car near empty, I at least beg you to stop that much. This is not rocket science during. This isn’t earth-shattering or ground-breaking, no matter what is going on in America.

4) Keep cash on hand. (Even it’s just $100-$200 in the safe). Notice I never said an obscene amount, but if you can, but there’s nothing wrong with having some “rainy day cash.”

5) I know medications can be tricky, but keep a little extra of your over-the-counter prescriptions, supplements, vitamins and naturopathic oils on hand.

6) Have a good, working, manual can opener.

7) Be prepared for your babies: I thought this one was worthy of its own point though it can go with groceries, because I’m always concerned for our little people: If your baby takes formula, keep an extra can on hand. There are even recipes to make your own formula (click here) in an emergency, but I know some of our littles only take certain kinds. The link I provided will give you some other alternatives and ideas. If your baby is to the cow’s milk point, keep a carton or so of powdered milk on hand just in case. We all know cold, grocery store milk doesn’t last real long. Don’t forget an extra box of diapers and some extra wipes, along with their other little important supplies. If you buy baby food from the jar or little squeeze packs, try not to let your supply run super low.

To go along with this one, be prepared for your pets: Their food, treats, and their treatments, such as flea & tick, as well as heartworm.

8) Keep some extra batteries of all types, on hand – especially AA’s (at least that’s the most popular one in our home).

9) Make sure you have a working flashlight, lantern, some candles, matches or anything of the like. Even an ancient battery-operated radio isn’t such a bad idea, if you can get one.

[Again, laugh all you want. Just know, I’ve been in a prime spot for tornados, power line problems, transformer issues and power outages. Since moving here in 2005, I’ve survived a major flood, a couple close-call tornados, a derancho (I didn’t even know what that meant), a VERY minor earthquake (barely worth mentioning), a big city environment during COVID-19 (my closest Kroger is the busiest one in Nashville)….and most recently: As my friends know, I live 20 minutes from downtown Nashville. The Christmas day explosion was felt in our subdivision. I just happen to have Verizon and Comcast versus AT&T, so my service was uninterrupted. Still, I cannot tell you how many times I’ve sat in the dark the past 10 years. In this house alone, it’s probably been at least 8 times in 6 years… and I’m not referring to little 5 minute outages either). Just now, I didn’t come to these suggestions without some personal experience of what CAN happen].

Along those lines, I personally don’t own a generator. They are very expensive as you know, but if you have extra money sitting around….smart idea. I also recently learned you can rent them, but realize they may be “hard to rent” during massive outages.

10) Tools to take your vitals at home are always smart: The Omron 3 blood pressure monitor is reasonable and accurate. Pulse oximeters cannot hurt. A good working thermometer is also a plus, etc.

11) Turn off auto updates on your phone. (I’m not going to get much into this one or why I’m saying it). Also make sure you have a couple working phone chargers (one of which will also work in your car)…and even a little ready-to-go power pack isn’t such a ridiculous idea.

12) On my mind today: Never depend too much on social media (or even your computers or electronic devices to preserve your precious pictures and videos). Make sure your photos and videos are in multiple places, and print your most important photographic memories, if you can. Technology, social media outages, and power issues cannot steal our prints. I know this one seem to be of less importance than the others, BUT I still believe it’s too important not to mention.

Now, please note: I am NOT claiming or setting it in stone that you will need all of this stuff right here, right now. I’m just suggesting we all take a few notes from the unpredictability of 2020, and learn to expect the unexpected. I’ve seen and heard too much lately to think that healthy preparation is irrational.

And one more time: Our *ultimate trust* has to continue to be in the Lord…not in materials or in humans. However, I can promise you that He doesn’t frown on reasonable and unselfish precaution.

In life, there is a “God part” and a “man part.” We are still responsible to act and be assertive in certain ways. He gives wisdom and understanding to those who ask. When you pray for wisdom and understanding, you may not feel the way I do. That’s okay too.

If you have some survivalist tips of your own that didn’t make my list, I’d love to hear from you (please share them in the comment section below)

With all of that said:

God bless you and your loved ones….and God bless America…

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12 Survivalist Tips for 2021: Wisdom Versus Fear