The Self-Reliance Trap: My Journey from Fear to Faith in Preparedness

Welcome to the first post in my monthly "Faith & Preparedness" series, where I share what I'm learning about balancing practical preparation with trust in God's provision.

I need to tell you something that might surprise you.

For years, my preparedness journey was rooted in the wrong foundation. When I first started prepping, the information available was mostly tactical and bushcraft. I spent a lot of time buying stuff I never used and did nothing to help me if there was an ice storm, or in my more recent history, hurricanes.

While I was building my emergency supplies and learning survival skills, I was actually moving further away from the peace I thought I was creating.

My recent health journey changed everything.

Suddenly, all my careful preparations felt meaningless. My 72-hour kits couldn't heal me. My stored food couldn't stop the treatments that left me exhausted. My emergency plans couldn't control what was happening to my body.

I realized I had fallen into what I now call "the self-reliance trap."

What I Got Wrong About Preparedness

I was preparing out of fear, not practical planning. Every news story, every supply chain disruption, every weather emergency fed my anxiety. I wasn't being wise - I was being driven by "what if" scenarios that kept me awake at night.

I confused preparedness with control. Deep down, I believed that if I just had enough supplies, enough knowledge, enough backup plans, I could protect my family from anything. I was trying to be the provider instead of trusting the Provider.

I forgot about community. My focus was entirely on making sure we would be okay. I wasn't thinking about how our preparedness could serve others or how we might need to depend on others too.

I was stockpiling stuff but starving my soul. I could tell you exactly how many cans of soup I had, but I couldn't tell you the last time I'd truly surrendered my worries to God.

The Health Journey Wake-Up Call

When the doctor delivered unexpected news, all my preparations suddenly seemed very small. I realized I had been preparing for everything except the one thing that was actually happening to me.

But here's what surprised me: the peace I had been trying to create through preparedness? I finally found it when I stopped trying to control everything and started trusting that God was still in charge.

What Faith-Centered Preparedness Looks Like

"Let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine." - Genesis 41:35-36

Joseph's story shows us that God actually calls us to prepare - but notice the heart behind it. Joseph wasn't storing grain out of fear or to hoard for his own family. He was preparing so that the land and its people wouldn't perish during the famine. His preparation was an act of stewardship and service.

I'm still learning, but here's what I'm discovering:

Preparedness as stewardship, not salvation. God calls us to be good stewards of our resources and wise in our planning. But our security comes from Him, not our supplies.

Preparing to serve, not just survive. When we're prepared, we can help our neighbors during emergencies. Our extra food can feed someone hungry. Our knowledge can help someone scared.

Peace that passes understanding. True preparedness includes preparing our hearts and minds, not just our pantries. Prayer, scripture, and community matter more than any supply list.

Trust in God's timing. Sometimes the best preparation is simply being ready to trust God's plan, even when it doesn't match our backup plans.

Moving Forward with "Prepared = Peaceful"

This is why I've shifted Sunshine Preppers toward "Prepared = Peaceful." Real peace doesn't come from having enough stuff - it comes from knowing that whether we have abundance or scarcity, God is with us.

I'm not saying we shouldn't prepare. I'm saying we should prepare with the right heart. Prepare out of love, not fear. Prepare to serve, not just survive. Prepare while trusting that our ultimate security comes from God.

Over the coming months, I'll be sharing more about this journey - exploring what it means to balance practical wisdom with spiritual trust. I'll share what I'm learning from scripture, from prayer, and from life experience about what it really means to be prepared.

Because true preparedness isn't about having control over every possible scenario.

It's about being ready to trust God no matter what scenario actually unfolds.

What does faith-centered preparedness look like in your life? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Next month: We'll explore "Stewardship vs. Stockpiling: What Does God Actually Call Us to Store?"