Disasters of all sorts. While we don’t want them to become our “new normal,” we have to admit they’re getting more and more common with each passing month.

And this being the case, we’re hearing more and more to “get prepared.” Are you hearing what’s being said and heeding the advice, or are you worn out with the beating of this drum and ignoring the message? Recent research showed 7 common reasons why some aren’t acting:

1. “Normalcy bias;” if what’s being predicted is out of kilter with what folks think is “normal,” they won’t believe it (“That’ll never happen HERE!”)
2. Some people are convinced the government will have to step in and take care of everyone’s needs.
3. Some people believe God, or whomever they look to, will take care of them.
4. Some console themselves with the belief that they have prepared neighbors, so they can just turn to them.
5. Then there’s the MONEY factor; some feel they can’t afford to buy extra water, food, or other preparedness items, so they aren’t.
6. And there’s the TIME factor; some folks are convinced they don’t have time to learn the skills needed to take care of themselves and others.
7. Finally, there’s the SPACE factor; some people are convinced their house is too small to store anything extra.

Do you relate to any of these? For a while I was flopping around in “normalcy bias.” And although I’ve never felt the government or my neighbors would take care of me, I do admit I placed a lot of responsibility on my God. That is until I was reminded that I need to do my part: “God helps those who help themselves.”

Now I’m not a doomsdayer, a fanatical prepper, or a gloomy Gus pessimist, but I am seeing things that can’t be ignored. So what’s my message? Let’s address the above list; create a plan and take some action. For instance:

NORMALCY BIAS. Drop fixed beliefs and have an open mind.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT. Love our country but understand government agencies can in no way address widespread disaster needs in a timely fashion. The idea of a 72-Hour Bug-Out Bag is a misnomer. Studies show outside relief doesn’t show up in 72 hours (3 days)—it’s more like 5 to 6 days. In other words, get assertive in planning for what you and your family will need and don’t rely on the government.

GOD WILL PROVIDE. Yup, He does. But it’s usually through other people that prayers and needs are answered. So why not join His team and be one of His providers, rather than one of the providees?

MY NEIGHBOR WILL PROVIDE. Is that really a smart or fair approach to take? Wouldn’t you rather be a contributor than a mooch? We all want to be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem, right?

THERE’S NO MONEY. Take a look at your current expenditures and see if there’s anything you can cut out so you have a little extra money for food storage or preparedness items. We quit eating out and have been putting that saved money to extra cans of beans, rice, and freeze-dried fruits and vegetables. A friend and her husband quit going to the movies and are using that saved money for buying water storage containers. You get the idea…

THERE’S NO TIME. I found that there actually is, IF I am willing to give up a couple TV shows during the week. I now put TV time (about2 hours a week) to studying online preparedness resources and learning how to use a Dutch oven on a campfire.

THERE’S NO SPACE. Poppycock! In the past 35 years that I’ve spent consulting and helping folks remove their clutter and improve their space usage, I consistently found that EVERYONE had some space to devote to food storage, bug-out bags, and other preparedness items. For instance:

• Most folks have beds in their home; under-bed space is prime real estate and a great place for storing food (in pest-proof containers). And most folks have a couch; flat cases of tuna, canned soup, and so on, store well under a couch.





• If you have a linen closet, remove the linens and store extra food there; or remove a shelf or two and store your bug-out bags there. (Assign bed linens to each bed and store them flat, lengthwise, between the mattress and boxspring. Assign all family members their own towel, hand towel, and wash cloth and store them in the bathroom on rods or hooks. When dirty, they’re washed and returned to their holding spot. You get the idea…)



• New garbage cans will hold lots of food and emergency supplies. Get plywood round tops for each can, cover them with a round fabric cloth that matches your décor, and you now have living room end tables that are doing double duty. Smart space usage!



• Or devote a credenza or chest to storing food.





• If you’re lucky enough to have a spare bedroom, devote it to food and preparedness storage. Line the walls with floor-to-ceiling shelving and start filling them.



• And if you’re lucky enough to have a basement, line a wall with shelves and start filling them.

Here’s the deal, and I’ve said it before. This isn’t about hoarding food or other supplies. It’s about taking deliberate steps to be an answer to the prayers and needs of others if and when the time should come that disaster strikes. We all pray to our God that we indeed won’t experience a disaster, but if we do…if we’re prepared, we can cope, and cope WELL, and help others to do the same!