trusting the Lord... prudently...

Trusting the Lord... does not mean we ignore the alarms He provides...

The prudent sees danger and hides himself,

but the simple go on and suffer for it.

Proverbs 22:3 and 27:12 ESV

The lesson of the alarms... the alert of the tempest... the battle cry... call for preparation...

Just as Joseph instructed Pharaoh... the dreams an alarm... seven years of plenty... to prepare for seven years of famine...

Here we find ourselves in the end times... the time when wars... rumors of wars... famines... earthquakes... will increase... the labor pains come with greater frequency and intensity... as the time for Him to return draws near...

"... And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. ..." 

---Jesus

Matthew 24:6-8 ESV

We... in Christ... are to expect... and read the signs... and listen for His alarm... yet not be alarmed...

The Greek translated alarmed in this passage means... to be in a state of fear associated with surprise... (Louw-Nida)

We... in Christ... are to be readied... prepared... listening for His guidance... direction... preparing... without fear...

But also with a heart of compassion for others... being prepared... that we might be in a place to help others... should need arise...

Fear should not be our driving force... when bad news... and rumors of wars... come into our lives...

Trusting the Lord... listening to His guidance and direction... is our response...

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Psalm 32:8 ESV