What is truth?
John 8:32 “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
As we finish this series of looking at the Gospels through a pepper’s eyes, I want to wrap it all up with this verse in John.
What does truth look like to you?
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase–“your own truth”–whether in developing how you view the world or live your life. But truth boils down to reality and facts. Truth is the basis for all of life.
- You exist: truth.
- Your actions have consequences or reactions, big or small: truth.
- Bad things happen, even to “good” people: truth.
- This world is broken: truth.
- We all die in the end: truth.
(Unless Jesus comes back before that happens but that’s a different topic.)
Okay, so the truths listed got a bit dark. My bad.
But I need you to open your eyes and see the truths around you. The whole reason the Prepper World exists is because we see these truths and we make plans to get through them.
Bad things happen. The world is broken. We can’t do anything to prevent those things.
Sure, you could bury your head in the sand and sing happy songs to drown out reality but that way of living is false.
Truth = Freedom
My favorite part of this verse is “the truth will set you free.”
This reminds me of the verse in 1 Corinthians 13:11: “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.”
As a child, you experience innocence when it comes to viewing the world. Your parents and teachers tell you what truths to believe, but it’s not until you get older and start to question what’s true that you finally see the world as it really is.
Even as an adult, you still ask questions–or you should be. Knowledge can only be gained by asking questions. Especially the hard ones.
You may not like having your eyes opened to the world around you and everything going wrong, but there is still freedom in truly seeing reality.
You have the option to hide in a corner, cover your eyes, and plug your ears.
Or….you can decide to stand up and do something about it.
What can you do?
By now, I hope you have been making your lists and asking more questions. But I also want you to try a new exercise.
Take hard truths about the world and answer the question: what can I do about it?
For example:
- The world is broken–––I can be ready for hard times when they come by_____.
- Natural disasters threaten my area every year–––I will put a plan in place so I’m prepared.
- Accidents happen–––I will have a first-aid kit on hand for any situation: car, home, work, school, etc.
- As a woman, I can be attacked at any time–––I will become more aware of my surroundings and I will take a self defense class so my attacker will rue the day they met me!
I personally hate that last truth but it’s a truth nonetheless. In a later blog, I want to go over self defense and its importance for everyone, not just women.
And next week, I’ll share how to be more mentally prepared in everyday situations. Subscribe so you don’t miss it!
Truths may be difficult to swallow at times but we do not have the luxury to pretend. I don’t mean we should live in fear. On the contrary, having our eyes opened allow us to have a better chance at getting through the tough times.
Wouldn’t you rather be ready instead of slammed against the rocks in shock? I know I would.
Until next time, happy prepping!
