A Christian Perspective on Preparing For the Coming Food Shortage or Other Crisis

It seems that we are going from one crisis to another crisis. At first, it was a dreaded disease threatening the globe, war in the Ukraine, and the current one is about a global food shortage. Here in the United States, the problems lie currently with our food supply chain.

Though the potentials for things to get worse does exist; there is no reason to hit the Panick button. I would like to give you some pearls of wisdom that may be of value to you. These pearls come partly due to personal experience and taking the time to learn from others. Keep reading as I am sure you’ll appreciate some of the insights shared in this article.

First of all, I am not a prepper and I’m far from what they are able to do. For these people, it is a lifestyle and some preppers have shared some helpful information on different YouTube channel. I’ll provide a link to some of these videos that has proved helpful. Keep in mind, some preppers are creating these videos in an effort to be helpful.

Here’s my first tip and it outweighs anything you’ll hear from me, a dedicated prepper, or anyone else. I am talking about cultivating a deeper relationship with Jesus. It’s important that we make every effort to spend time with God, the Father. Spend time in personal prayers and reading the Scripture. Listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying directly to you.

Yes, I can get a ton of information from government sources on the Internet, videos from preppers, independent news sources and prophetic insights. However, there is just one problem with these various sources. They are not God! God knows our personal needs and our limitations far better than these fine people.

They may well give some well-meaning advices; however, it may not be the right one for you. Before I forget, God does know your needs far better than you know your needs. It is for this reason that I am encouraging you to spend time in talking to Jesus about your situation in regards to food.

Here is tip #2. Don’t listen to the voices of fear and anxiety because that is how serious trouble really begins. If you are a follower of Jesus then I’ve a question for you. Haven’t you read 2 Timothy 1:7? “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” The Greek word for discipline also means self-control and a sound mind.

Here’s what the Bible says in James 1:5

⁵ But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

James 1:5 NASB

God knows your financial situation and he is able to help you. However, you need to humble yourself and ask Jesus for help. For me, God has been very faithful in directing me in the face of what happened in 2020. I don’t have the ability to hop in a car and drive. However, the Holy Spirit prompted me with an idea that I’ve not thought of. Amazon to the rescue!

You got it! I never thought to use Amazon as my source for needed groceries. They can’t do everything; however, God used this company to help me and many others. God is not a respecter of person and God can do the same thing for you, too.

Here’s the next tip. It pays to do some research and learn some basics on storing your foods. I found this video from Under the Median and this couple provided some very useful insights worth listening to.

For one thing, they start things off with a couple of basic tutorials on food safety. They also point to the reality that you shouldn’t buy everything in sight.

Here’s the fourth tip. Don’t get caught up with the craziness of being prepared for the coming zombie apocalypse. I’ve seen some of these videos and it appears that some people are going a little overboard. For this reason, I’d strongly suggest listening with a grain of salt and listen fully to what Jesus is telling you.

Here’s my 5th tip and it’s quite simple. It’s based on Hebrews 10:23-25. It’s very important that we are a part of an intimate community of fellow believers or a church. Why is that? You can’t do it, alone. We need each other’s help. Here’s what Hebrews 10:23-25 says:

²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; ²⁴ and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, ²⁵ not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:23-25 NASB ’95

Here’s another tip for you. I didn’t just write this article and pulled this information out of thin air. In reality, I’m living on SSDI and I do not have a way to grow my own food. However, I made use of what I do have. I actually came across the prepper community on YouTube, a couple of years ago. It’s how I found out that I was being led by God’s Spirit.

One of my biggest challenges is storing my canned foods. Thankfully, I’ve a spare walk-in closet in my indoor porch. I simply brought what I would normally eat and learned to be creative in my cooking. Because I’ve experience in working in a food pantry, I already knew to use the cans with the closest “Best By” dates and to check the condition of the cans.

I also planned a head in my purchases. It’s a tactic that comes in handy when you don’t drive a car. If I ordered something on Amazon, it may take some time before it arrives. For this reason, it is not a good idea to wait till the last minute. In other words, it pays to be strategic. It also pays to stick within your budget and what you are able to do!

“What food should I buy?” is probably a question that you’re asking and wondering if I’d answer it. Here is what I found out. Bottled water should have already been on your list. What else? I am going to suggest that you read “Best Non-Perishable Food to Stockpile For Emergency” from a site called “Real Simple”. I was pleasantly surprised by what the author said.

Although, I am surprised that veggie pasta isn’t mentioned on that list! You can also get the whole wheat pasta, too. You’re not limited to the flour-based pasta. There is also a variety of oatmeal that you can buy. Here’s what it boils down to. Buy what you normally would eat and feasible for you! Don’t buy a 50lbs bag of rice if it makes no sense to buy it, normally.

Here’s the final tip. Be kind to your fellow shoppers! Let’s not have a repeat of the insanity of toilet paper buying! This photo is from the BBC and it’s a great example of hoarding; not prepping! These poor souls were driven by fear and anxiety. As such, they panicked and gave no thoughts to anyone else.

Let’s not react in fear about what is coming. Let think soberly and not one that is reacting to what one sees and hear. Here’s how Paul puts it in his letter to the Philippian Church.

³ Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

Philippians 2:3 NASB ’95

Be guided by what the Holy Spirit is saying to you. You can trust God to lead you and direct your steps in the right way. Don’t be afraid to talk to Jesus about what is on your heart and about your needs. Ask how you could be of help to others, too.