Trust and Betrayal

When the people you should trust the most fail you.

As we approach times of extreme danger, many understand it is essential to have a tribe, a group, a "family" of like-minded people that we can trust and rely on. People that have our back, and who's back we'll have. People that have skills we need, and need our skills. A group of strong, brave, reliable people that will not cower, will not run, will not flee the foxhole when under fire, and who can absolutely count on us just as much.

Enter the reality of modern day. As wonderful as all this sounds, how many people do you know that actually meet this standard? Twenty? Fifty? Two hundred?

Or can you count them on one hand?

I fall into the last category. I know for a fact that I can trust my wife unconditionally. I know, and have known that God brought my wife and I together for a reason, and I thank Him every day for that gift. I also put my faith and trust in God unconditionally.

In my immediate redoubt, I have exactly two additional people that I trust. Two. Neither of them know who they are, and that is okay, because that's a burden I don't wish them to carry. I will have their back, and I truly believe they will have mine when the time comes. In my area, and even beyond, that's it. Not family, not friends, not other preppers, no one. That doesn't mean there aren't people I could rely on, but I don't know them, or if I do I don't know them well enough to extend that kind of trust.

So, not including God, there are exactly THREE people I know I can count on to the level needed for TEOTWAWKI. That’s pretty sad.

There used to be more. I used to have a number or people that I believed I could trust. Neighbors, members of an organization I used to participate in. However, one by one, I became aware, either directly or indirectly, that I was wrong. Betrayal is a terrible thing, and is very difficult to get over, if even possible. One day, you think you have a trustworthy friend, who you would fight for, do whatever necessary to defend, only to find out that they have been saying things about you behind your back. Lies. Ugly things. Things you cannot understand, and certainly did not do anything to warrant, but disgraceful things. They do this because this is who they are.

Perhaps you have been a member of an organization, doing your part to help whenever possible, even leading, without anticipation of anything in return other than the ability to participate and help, and discover that a small group of them have been conspiring to do you harm, or set you up for a fall. People who absolutely should know better. Maybe one of them you considered a really good friend. Maybe one had been a mentor.

How about at church? Anyone been stabbed in the back by a fellow churchgoer? Mmm?

I am speaking from experience when I suggest these scenarios. I know many have experienced the same thing.

Maybe you discover that someone you considered a friend just simply does not have the ability to be strong in tough times. Almost everyone I still know falls into this category. They will not consider that their way of life is coming to an end. They will not listen when you gently suggest that they might want to stock up on some additional food, or supplies. Maybe they look at you like you're crazy, or a conspiracy nut. After all, today is like yesterday and tomorrow will be like today.

Until it's not. Then you realize that everyone you know that thought this way can now project their life expectancy in terms of days, rather than decades.

So, there are articles out there that all say that you need to be part of a community of like-minded people. Easier said than done. Of the people I trust, I know that they also have people that they trust, which may or may not include me. So I have very little to bring to the table in terms of personnel. I have other things, including skills, strategy, and a little ammo. I feel certain that as the "day" approaches, I will be able to bring the two people I know, plus my wife, together to coordinate security and defense. I also have immediate family that would likely show up I know I can trust.

Maybe trust is overrated. Maybe it's not necessary, because you have to trust someone when your life is on the line. Maybe the members of your tribe are trustworthy. Maybe you have been able to vet them to your satisfaction. Not all of us are so lucky, and even in my redoubt, which is very rural, the people I am surrounded by are either arrogant out-of-staters, meth addicts, or just good people who, for whatever reason, have no idea what is coming, and just look at you strangely when you try to even address the subject.

Not bleak enough? Nowadays, it is virtually impossible to even extend trust to anyone you have not known for the better part of your life. Our society is filled with people posing as preppers and patriots who work for the government, for the purpose of setting up those of us who are actually preppers and patriots. Do you truly believe the person at that prepper meeting is not law enforcement? J6, anyone?

This is by design. This is part of why collapse is approaching so rapidly. They want us to distrust each other. It really sucks when the people who you should have been able to trust make that so easy.

I really used to like people. Not any more.

Be very, very careful who you confide in. I have no place for "trust, but verify." That's bullshit. I'm in the "trust no one" camp. Do not give away any information that can be used against you. Keep your preps private. ALL OF THEM. People can be convinced (or forced) to give up information very easily, putting you in danger. It's time to become gray. Nondescript. Be perceived as a non-threat, as someone who has nothing to take. Keep your head low and stay out of populated areas. The devil has been very, very busy, and people are weak. Many have turned to the dark side, people you know. People you believe in. The time to exercise extreme caution is here.

It’s time to step up your game and seriously consider that many you know may not be worthy of your trust. If you are a betrayer, I have absolutely no place for you, ever. Your only hope is to immediately correct that behavior and get right with God, because your survival will depend on it.

We are possibly only weeks away from food riots, hyperinflation, and incomprehensible crime. You'll know when a tribe for defense becomes essential, and many would say that you need to be prepared with planning and practice. Perhaps. At that time you’ll have to be less selective of whom you surround yourself with, especially if survival is on the line, and civility will be but a memory.