The Young Prepper

[Edgemont]

Hey everyone,

I was wondering if anyone has some advice or relative experience for the young single prepper. I am a single 25yr old male who comes at this "crazy" idea of purchasing some insurance (preps), by way of an uncommon awareness of the real world that we live in... i.e not what is shown on TV. What I do love about real preppers, is the wonderful idea of LIVING the lifestyle. Which means, eating the food and practicing the ideas... Regularly.

I think that my situation is somewhat difficult. I'm relatively poor, single, no home of my own, and no friends that think the same way. It feels a little bit lonely sometimes. All of my friends think that I'm a crazy Hard core right winger... A "conspiracy" nut. Well quite frankly, I want to be the hard core guy... The one who actually has real beliefs and who lives them. The one taking the metaphoric red pill.

So how does one like myself prepare? I mean, I've got about a year worth of supplies... But how do I become a real prepper? How do I prepare food and supplies for myself while my beloved family looks on without preparing? When TSHTF do I say: Uh, yeah... Sorry but I'm taking my food and going to a prearranged retreat? Should I become a part of a retreat setup? Can I leave my family if disaster strikes and head for someplace safe without them? Or should I put all of my energy into convincing them? (It wouldn't work)
The way I see it now, is that my friends and family won't be convinced until it is too late. Sure they're strong believers in the Lord, but they all still think that I'm crazy for buying food and supplies and such. I am sooo sick of optimists that have an attitude of: "The Lord will take care of me... I won't ever be uncomfortable." Well just because God's got "your back" doesn't mean that you aren't going to go through some stuff.

The American Christian attitude of entitlement is so annoying.

[Lowdown3]

You need to prepare FOR them. Not so that they approach you with "My hero!" later on, but so they do not become a real burden to you.

A year supply of food for one person becomes a one MONTH supply when 11 other extended family members show up.

They might think you are "crazy" now, they won't later.

I also don't understand Believers who don't take this seriously. If we really believe the word of God, we KNOW bad times are coming. It might not be in my lifetime but then again it might be. As Fathers and husbands, we are duty bound to provide for and protect our families.

At a young age you tend to still cling to your original family. I did at your age. Later when you get married and have children THEY will be your family (the whole "leave and cleave" concept). That's not to say you shouldn't help your parents, but they will not then be your primary responsibility.

It sounds like you are doing pretty well so far. Keep learning, pray a lot and the Lord will open up more to you. Good luck.

[Klayton]

The American Christian attitude of entitlement is so annoying.

WOW never saw that before. You sure you didn't mix that up with the democrat/liberal/progressive party's sense of entitlement? =)
Like California demanding additional federal assistance when they open a new 578 MILLION dollar public school next month (of course the most expensive in the nation)...

[birdseye.2]

I am sooo sick of optimists that have an attitude of: "The Lord will take care of me... I won't ever be uncomfortable." Well just because God's got "your back" doesn't mean that you aren't going to go through some stuff.

The American Christian attitude of entitlement is so annoying.

You are correct to think poorly of a "christian" with this attitude, for if you seek a better understanding of the Bible, you will see that a "christian" who speaks in such a way is naive, and incorrect. The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. In this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church.

The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger - a faith that will not faint, though severely tried. The, "time of trouble such as never was," is soon to be open upon us; and we shall need an experince which we do not now possess, and which many are too indolent to obtain. It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality; but this is not true of the crisis before us. The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal. When Jesus leaves the most holy His restraining Spirit is withdrawn from rulers and people They are left to the control of evil angels. Then such laws will be made by the counsel and direction of Satan that, unless time should be very short, no flesh could be saved.

The remnant church will be brought into great trial and distress. Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus will feel the ire of the dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the world as his subjects. He has gained control of the apostate churches; but here is a little company that are resisting his supremacy. If he could blot them from the earth, his triumph would be complete. As he influenced the heathen nations to destroy Israel, so in the future he will stir up the wicked powers of earth to destroy the people of God.

As the decree issued by the various rulers of Christendom against commandment keepers shall withdraw the protection of government, and abandon them to those who desire their destruction, the people of God will flee from the cities and villages and associate together in companies, dwelling in the most desolate and solitary places. Many will find refuge in the strongholds of the mountains... but many of all nations of all classes, high and low, rich and poor, black and white, will be cast into the most unjust and cruel bondage. The beloved of God pass weary days bound in chains, shut in by prison bars, sentenced to be slain, some apparently left to die of starvation in dark and loathsome places.

The people of God will not be free from suffering; but while persecuted and distressed, while they endure privation, and suffer for want of food, they will not be left to perish. The time of trouble is just before us, and then stern necessity will require the people of God to deny self and to eat merely enough to sustain life, but God will prepare us for that time.

[godisnum1]

Edgemont, feel free to add me on Facebook if you'd like. I just turned 28 on Nov 8th, so we're pretty close in age...

Bran <><

http://www.facebook.com/godisnum1

[Matt In Oklahoma]

ahhhh it seems you fight the same battle as most here do. I can not answer your questions for you. (1) because I don't know the answer and (2) I'm an idiot and you shouldn't listen to me when it comes to family. LOL
Do not give up on God or Christians in spite of others and try and forgive the attitudes. I know exactly where you are coming from on this. It is a personal battle of my own. I have made many mistakes in this area. There are only 2 things I can tell you on it.
There are many verses that cover preparing and storing food. Use the word to convince believers.
Oh and Americans don't hold title to the attitude of entitlement Christian or not I assure you I've been a place or two. Just look at the riots and reasons behind them in greece and gb and elsewhere.

[610Alpha]

Edgemont - sounds like you are facing the powdered butt syndrome, once someone has powdered your butt they don't want your advice (taken from Dave Ramsey and modified, I left off: about sex or money, but applies to anything having to deal with wisdom or personal matters.).

Dig thru the bible and find stories of being prepared, Joseph, Noah etc. and show them other scriptures like in Proverbs where it talks about "In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, and the foolish man devours all that he has." We all know what God thinks of fools so why act foolishly. We know what God tells us about gaining wisdom. Now if they still don't want to change then we have to remember that we have to take care of our own household first, people that live under our roof, then extend help to the next ring of family if they choose to accept it or don't that's up to them. Hey they might not take your help cause they are waiting for God to rescue them. One thing I have learned is that God doesn't help us in the way we expect Him to, He helps us according to His will.

I remember hearing the joke about the guy sitting on the roof of his house during a flood and some guys pull up in a boat and say do want a ride and he says no God will take care of me, this happens 3 times and then the guy drowns in the flood. He gets to heaven and he asks God why didn't you save me, God tells him I sent you a boat 3 times what more did you want.

Good luck. Check out your states prepper network to see if you can develop a rapport with some preppers in your area too.

[Edgemont]

Thanks guys for replying to this. I am VERY sorry for the extreme delay in responding to you guys!!! Life has been insanely crazy for me. Including a computer crash (I lost my link to this wonderful site... And couldn't remember what it was called... I know, I know... pathetic), and some deep family struggles. Probably the worst time in my life! But also, the best! I am now engaged to be married to the sweetest woman I've ever known! I know now what Proverbs talks about when it says that a good wife is better than gold (Edgemont paraphrase).
Anyway, I really appreciate the great responses. I really love the community on this site. Sometimes I feel so lonely believing in what I believe. A Christian Prepper... Seemingly a rare thing around me. I'm tired of being mocked by Christians. My own Brethren! Everyone I personally know thinks that I'm a conspiracy nut... And some sort of weirdo for "Spending all of my money on rice and beans". And then at the same time, I feel sorry for them. And scared for them, knowing that some day they might starve, or whatever. I don't want to, nor will I live and prep out of fear. But rather out of a Spirit of Love for my Brethren and a realistic world view. God help me.

But the good news is, I successfully convinced my bride-to-be that prepping is a good idea. I'm still working on convincing her that it's an absolute must! But... Baby steps. So how did I do this? Slowly. I took me dang time. I slowly introduced evidence for the fragile and dangerous society that we live in, and I also introduced new ideas about reality. But all of this was done slowly. I also asked a lot of questions. Like: Imagine a scenario... If this scenario happened, what would you do? And then I would give ideas for actions. This was done VERY subtly at first. A as time went on, I asked tougher questions. All the while giving her evidence about the intense, fragile, and morally corrupt world that surrounds us. It took patience and loving perseverance. But Man was it worth it!
Well anyway, thanks guys for the encouragement. Even though its been almost a year since I posted this, I just wanted to give a belated thanks for the encouragement. It payed off.

[WiseOwl]

Right on Edgemont, congrats on the engagement,
I too am part of the young prepper movement (I'm 29) so its great to have more like minded and like aged.

I don't prep for a coming TEOTWAWKI, or biblical doomsday, or any doomsday for that matter. If I was single, with my outdoor and woodsman skills, I would be more than alright. I prep for my family. My wife and my 2 sons. I keep food, water, gear, medical and ammo for them. As a hedge against rough times. I would hate for "something" to happen and I sit helpless with the millions of other young families that are too busy buying new cars, expensive clothes and the such to keep up with the Jones', the Smiths' and the Williams'. I know that we could stay home and be good for a couple of months. Or make it to a friends place to join forces. I don't have the resources (cash) to get what I want to, but I am that lil engine that could....keep trucking is my motto....

Good thing you remembered the site, lots of great folks with great knowledge....I now come check this site daily before I check my fantasy baseball team which my wife will tell you is MAJOR!!!

[godisnum1]

Good to hear you trusted God to find you the right girl. I just recently got married (May 21st) after dating and being engaged to my wife long distance for almost two years (June 29th). Even though we spent most of our relationship with 1,200 miles between us, I'm BEYOND thankful to God for bringing her to me. Though she's more into makeup (she's a makeup artist for MAC Cosmetics) than she is prepping... God has put the importance of it on her heart and she enjoys watching survival shows and predicting what would be the "logical" thing to do under different scenarios. She's now pretty spot-on with her answers & knowledge, which is great! Anyway, just wanted you to know that I definitely have been in your shoes! It's the best feeling in the world to find the girl God has for us!! I'm 28 as well, so if some of you guys my age care to add me onto Facebook, you're more than welcome (just let me know who you are on here first)

Bran <><

http://www.facebook.com/godisnum1