Maybe we need a fresh take on our view of this situation. Having followed the “OH MY, the world is going to crash!” hysteria for the last few years in order to ensure I don’t miss the end of the world as we know it; I have made a few observations. 
Number one, it has not happened yet. Number two, the scenarios are still widely varied, newly painted pictures of the same old what ifs. Number three, a lot of money, and I mean a LOT of money, is being made and spent to keep the conversation alive. I am being absolutely truthful when I say that it is of little concern to me as to which apocalypse people wish to see as their possible future. Fifty years ago as a young teenager I never imagined life after thirty five. I never imagined that there really was a creator God or that someone named Jesus would have secured my future two thousand years ago.
Now from that first paragraph you may have surmised that I am either one or the other. Either I have my head in the sand or I see things through a different filter than the world disinformation media. Either I am ignoring the changing times and the many new threats to our way of life or I have lived long enough to have realized that life continued on even after the bubonic plague. Either I am just another religious nut job or my perception has been transformed to see money no longer as the god of my world but rather as the curse which keeps us from seeing the true and living Lord. So I may be an idiot with my head in the sand ignoring the new threats to my life while spouting words from an ancient book that is full of nonsense. Or it is just possible that my eyes have been opened to a more secure understanding of the continuing challenge to our life and relationships while seeing money as a tool to help others come to a similar understanding.
So while you are trying to decide which, let’s see a fresh take on the things which seem to threaten our peace and safety the most. We have extreme views and every variety of middle ground. We are as diverse in our perception and thinking as can possibly be imagined. We are right and wrong and we often don’t know when we are either. We need a solid anchored perspective to center our lives on and having been anchored to that truth we build our outlook. We initially base it upon family and friends, teachers and examples. We ingest all we are exposed to and filter it through that base until the day we declare ourselves self-aware and become the example others look to. I arrived there as a young teenager. Aliens are using us for mental gymnastics and potential food sources. Being mean and tough and selfish is the only way to have things in life and things will always make you happy. Being rich sucks but being poor sucks more.
That all changed when in the light of other evidence, it did not stand up before the simple questions of who and why and? Others chimed in like what is my purpose for living, when will I die, and where will I spend eternity. Before, I had no concept of eternity because Ponce DE Leon had not really found the fountain of youth. I would either continue to live as I was or I would die and cease to be. I needed a fresh take. It started when I found one person who although recovering from the tragedy of cancer seemed to have peace in spite of her rocky marriage and less than lavish lifestyle. Peace or turmoil would be an excellent title for this conversation. You either have one or the other. She had peace. She said it was because of Jesus. I had turmoil and it was because of me. It took a while but eventually I got a fresh take on things. I dropped turmoil and picked up peace. It really was easy. It was easily the most real thing I have ever known.
So the fresh take is a look through restored eyes. It is a recovered set of facts and a cleansing of the spoiling and filth used to keep me in turmoil far from the peace of truth. It is a new and different light which has always been the same. It is not a new reality but it is a fresh look and what is real and what is a lie. The lie has said that money satisfies, you are your own god and disaster is going to end your life. The truth I understand says that the lust of money is the root of all evil, there is a God in heaven and you are not Him, and the disaster already happened while the end of this physical life on earth is the beginning of your eternal life. That is a completely different set of viewpoints. For the ardent preppers out there I say keep on preparing. Primarily, because it will show you the futility of building your castle on shifting sand. Whatever disaster you are preparing for today is likely to be different in a few weeks or months. That will cause you to change your location, tools or supplies.
So maybe it is time to stabilize the playing field. It is hard to win at anything if the rules are constantly shifting and the goal keeps being redefined. Here are four words which will help, “In the beginning God”. Either He did or He didn’t. Either He is or He isn’t. Either He will or He can’t. It might be a fresh take on His love letters that allows you to see clearly, that’s the Bible. If He really is the Rock, the Foundation, the Beginning and the Way, the Truth and the Life, then just maybe what you have known until now is not all it has been cracked up to be. Maybe He can prepare you for the right situations, the ones you personally will face. He can do that because He already knows. Regardless of which disaster comes, His way of handling it is best.
All the food stores, all the defense systems, all the carefully researched bug out locations will not help if you do not have an eternal plan. You see life is short and you may not get to the safety of all your preparations before you die. Heaven is our only bug out location. Feasting on heavenly manna is our only lasting food resource. Dwelling under His sheltering arms is the only real protection.
Some will say “Where is he and why hasn’t He returned yet as He promised”. He has never failed to meet any other promise He has made so you can assuredly trust that He is coming. Some will say “How can I live well without a huge fortune”. He says that even the sparrows of the field are fed by His hand. Some will say “I need to protect and provide for my family first”. He says come unto me all that labor and are heavy laden. He also says “Prove me now”. So here is the choice you have. Believe the lies and misdirection which has caused the turmoil and strife you are running from in fear; or believe He is God and that He is a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him. If you trust Jesus as Lord and Savior then you reap the benefits of being in His family, in His provision, and under His protection. No enemy has ever defeated His power. Trust Jesus or live in fear and mistrust. Desire to know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. Or keep preparing for I don’t know what and still have to stand before His judgement seat all else is said and done.