I've always been a bit of a prepper. Now don't get me wrong, I don't have a cache of weapons, or anything scary. I live in England (United Kingdom) where even certain knives are illegal.
But I do think we all should be prepared for a global war. (As you will know if you have read some earlier blog posts.
Since 2008, I've had growing fear of a World War. This comes and goes depending on world events.
I am starting to think a World War is almost inevitable and that the UK is woefully unprepared for this. As the world seems to be increasingly losing its mind, like it did in the 1930s, with increasing fear of others (xenophobia) and countries wanting to put themselves first (isolationist). It was largely these things that caused World War 2. (Therefore my fear that history is repeating itself).
But I keep reminding myself not to fear. I often spend some time ensuring I have matches and candles in fire proof tins. Plus spare water, canned and dried foods, bandages, plasters, torches etc. If you are a Christian, you might think this is relying on THINGS rather than relying on God. I just think its wise, and that God gave us wisdom to recognise the times we are living in and what is ahead of us.
USEFUL LINKS:
Advice from the UK government (general emergencies) is here:
Knowing what to do in a nuclear incident. (UK)
Knowing what to do in a nuclear incident. (USA)
Knowing what to do in a nuclear incident. (Australia)
Advice for the Public on Protection in Case of a Nuclear Detonation,
Registered Charity -ICRP, International Commission on Radiological Protection
I really hope I am wrong, but ever since the Beijing Games in 2022, I have feared that Russia, China and North Korea had possibly made some secret alliance and that they were aligning closer and closer. Recent events suggest I may have been correct. I think that North Korea sending troops to Ukraine is just a more obvious sign of this. My biggest fear is that China invades Taiwan and ask for Russian assistance for fuel and resources, (as this could result in a full scale conflict between China and the USA). Or possibly worse that Russia, China and North Korea have a public pact and help each other directly in a growing number of wars around the globe, which also increases the risk of a conflict with NATO and World War 3.
Either way, I guess I need to remind myself that my trust should remain in God. As scripture says (The Holy Bible: Proverbs 3, NIV version) in verse
5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;"
6 "in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight."
On the other hand,
I'm sure that my (maternal) grandfather, Sydney, who was in the RAF building planes in Russia (with the Russians) to fight Germany feared the end was coming.
Photo: Frank Sydney Colledge (also known as Sydney Colledge, in RAF, Copyright Andy Mallinson 2024)
I'm sure that my other (paternal) grandfather, Bryan, when his ship was torpedoed by the Nazi's thought his end was coming.
Photo: Bryan Mallinson, in Royal Navy, Copyright Andy Mallinson 2024)
And I know my mum, Susan, told me she was beside herself with worry during the Bay of Pigs crisis in the 60s. (When JFK threatened nuclear war with the USSR).
Photo: Susan Colledge (later known as Susan Mallinson, Copyright Andy Mallinson 2024)
They all lived to survive another day. I don't know why some fall and live and why they survived when others in the war did not, I also don't know what God is doing about it all.
But I do believe that my God has conquered sin and death. I just wish that we (myself included) were done with sin. Its a daily choice, a hourly choice and we all make bad choices, but we can all turn to God and ask for help when trouble comes.
If this has made you anxious, to put my fears in context, I thought war was coming in 2008 and it didn't come. Either way teaching your family what to do if there was a fire in your home or what to do if they receive a nuclear mobile alert is probably wise.
"I don't know why some fall and some live and I don't know what God is doing about it all."
Cue Music: (You've Already Won - Live • Shane & Shane)
"Don't know what you're doing ..... ....but I know what you've done."
(Sung to God in modern Christian worship)
(photographic images on this page: Copyright Andy Mallinson 2024)
Written content: Copyright Andy Mallinson 2024.
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