Why I fear
I read a lot as you know. But I read with a skeptic’s eye, reading between the lines, preparing for what is not the focus, but is a consequence of the intended sales pitch.
I saw the move toward tech years before it became common knowledge.
I saw food shortages, gas shortages, and energy shortages becoming common place.
I now worry for the winters, not just this year, but the years to come. I listen to Europe's financial collapse, the harsh winters without oil to heat homes, and sadly anticipate the end of millions of lives who will not survive the winter. It was not that long ago that Texas energy collapsed and lives were lost. This winter many more will die in the harsh elements unprepared for what will come. Resources needed to survive (food, heat, water) may not be available when you need them or may be so costly you won’t be able to afford them.
Here is a link to a financial company (Stansberry Research) again sounding the alarm. They want to sell something, but what I listen to is the commonality of the expectations they and others share about what is to come. The article refers to "America's Nightmare Winter." They warn everyone in advance to get in on the profits by investing with them. I don’t read this and other articles like it looking for a profit, but rather for a way to prepare.
The collapse of the dollar and shift to crypto currency is coming. In order to make this transition possible, the collapse of the economy must first take place. The collapse has begun…
Interest rates are soaring unchecked. The housing market is in decline and expected to crash. Gas prices will continue to go up, food prices will continue to go up, lay offs have begun, and rumors of a depression bigger than the Great Depression is spreading.
The family is under attack and children are the targets. Those in power want to train them to be the next generations workforce. But they don’t want them to think independently. They must conform or be destroyed. This is what the “cancel culture” and “silencing” is all about. Shut up, get in line, and be happy about it. You will own nothing and be dependent on those who own you. Cross your master and you will be turned out, starved out, isolated, and destroyed.
Recently I learned 4 million men are out of work by choice. They sit on couches playing video games. They have checked out. They survive living off the labor of others and when they want something they take it.
In contrast, 4 million unfilled jobs exist which prevents prosperity for small businesses that makes up 50% of the economy. These small businesses are the only thing that stands between the two classes (very rich and the very poor). The middle-class must be destroyed to bring in socialism. This means those on the lower 1/2 of the scale will fall most likely into the category of the working poor. Those who have invested well will prosper and get richer. Their numbers will be fewer but their lifestyle will be fantastic. The rest of the population will live in squalor, starving, fighting for their lives. For many, hope will be lost.
Why I have hope
All of this is foretold in the Bible. It has come to pass in other parts of the world and it has been recorded in history books across all time. It is not something new, but it is new to us currently living in America. We as a nation have become so comfortable in our modern day living. Those who have never been taught to dream, to aspire, to strive, or to overcome adversity will suffer the most. Only the ones who have faced death and survived, who have struggled through adversity and came out the other side battered, bruised, and scarred will have the courage to face what is coming. Only those who sniff the air, feel the change in the wind, and recognize the changing seasons will be able to prepare for the uncertainty that awaits us. Only those willing to face down the lions that roar, the wolves that prowl, and the hyenas that laugh at those who stand ready will survive.
God tells us to be ready, to prepare, and to be wise in our decisions. He tells us to look with discernment at everything and question all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21). He tells us that we WILL face adversity in life (2 Corinthians 4:8-9), and that we are not to fear it but to have faith because he promises to be with us through the challenges. He has redeemed us and sets us apart as his child and he says we are his (Isaiah 43:1). He says that even when we walk through the valley of shadow of death we should not fear evil because he is with us (Psalm 23:4). I have hope because my hope is not in humanity doing the right thing. I hope because I have faith in God who created humanity, who watches over everything, and who has the vision of where everything is going. Nothing happens without God's knowledge. So even though I may not know what the future may bring, I can have confidence that if I walk closely with God, he will guide my footsteps. Even if I stumble and fall, he will be there to pick me up. Even if I face giants he has given me the heart of David who faced down Goliath and cut off his head.
God tells us in his word that he has given us the tools we need to enter every battle (Ephesians 6:10-18):
The Armor of God 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.