emergency

Editorial – Our Divine Helper

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The devil is constantly trying to get the Lord’s people to give up in discouragement and despair. The answer to this, and to all other temptations of the enemy, is Jesus. Following are a few encouraging, inspired statements about where the help is and how to get it.

“Our divine Lord is equal to any emergency. With Him nothing is impossible . . . Come to Christ just as you are, weak, helpless, and ready to die. Cast yourself wholly on His mercy. . . Trustful dependence on Jesus makes victory not only possible, but certain.” Signs of the Times, January 3, 1906.

“You may take all your trials, all your troubles, all your sorrows to Jesus in prayer; you may feel that He is at hand to help you in every emergency, and you can tell Him all about it and He will give you just the help you need.” Signs of the Times, September 15, 1887.

“The fact that you have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, is an assurance that if you will claim Their help, These powers will help you in every emergency.”  Testimonies, vol. 6, 98, 99. (1900).

“There is not a single instance in which God has hidden His face from the supplication of His people. When every other resource failed He was a present help in every emergency. God bless you, poor, stricken, wounded soul. Cling to His hand; hold fast. He will take you, your children, and all your griefs and burdens if you will only cast them all upon Him.” This Day with God, 194.

“We are not to give up in discouragement, but in every emergency we are to seek help from Him who has infinite resources at His command. Often we shall be surrounded with trying circumstances, and then, in the fullest confidence, we must depend upon God. He will keep every soul that is brought into perplexity through trying to keep the way of the Lord.” Desire of Ages, 369.

“Divine power will cooperate with human effort. Dear reader, the gates are open, and the glory of God is shining for every soul who looks to Heaven in times of trial and perplexity. How many go to human friends when they are in trouble! But how vain is the help that man can give! Human aid is only as a broken reed. Christ has been manifested to the world as the One who can bind up the broken in heart, and comfort those that mourn.” Apples of Gold Library, August 1, 1898; Signs of the Times, July 29, 1889.

“We have a precious, loving Saviour. I wish I could present Him to you just as He is. Many have Jesus so exalted in their minds that He seems far off and they have no communion with Him. But Christ took upon himself human nature and was called the Son of man, because He was to become acquainted with all the trials, with all the sorrows, and with all the sufferings of humanity, that He might know how to succor those who are tempted. To the weeping ones He says, ‘I have wept. I know how to sympathize with you.’ He is a Saviour that is in sympathy with the woes of man, a Saviour that is by our side to help, and strengthen, and succor us. We are to stand firm as a rock to the principles of the Word of God, remembering that God is with us to give us strength to meet each new experience. Let us ever maintain in our lives the principles of righteousness, that we may go forward from strength to strength in the name of the Lord. John found in his solitude and exile that the Lord had not forgotten him. From this we may learn that God is a shield and helper in every emergency, to those who believe and trust in Him. When surrounded by difficulties, dangers, and discouragements, we must not yield faith and principle, but cherish every precious ray of light granted us, and be true to our God given responsibilities.” Signs of the Times, February 28, 1878.

Restoring the Temple – Winter Health and Safety

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“Wherefore ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety.” —Leviticus 25:18.

For most of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, wintertime means months of cold weather. Folks living in the Southeastern or Southern United States may not feel much of a chill, but this time of year can be particularly hazardous to the Northerners around the world. Unless carefully planned for, cold weather can expose us to injury and illness. Vehicle accidents account for 70 percent of the reported snow and ice injuries. Another 25 percent of cold-weather injuries occur when people are caught outside in a storm. Most snow/ice injuries happen to males over the age of 40. Injuries related to cold occur to people over the age of 60 in 50 percent of the cases. More than 75 percent of cold injuries occur to males, and about 20 percent happen in the home.

Exposure to cold can lead to hypothermia or frostbite. Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops to below 95° F (35° C). Hypothermia can be deadly, but for those who survive, the resulting kidney, liver, and pancreas problems can be lifelong. Some of the danger signs of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, disorientation, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness, dizziness, and exhaustion.

Frostbite is damage to the tissues of the body caused by cold. The cells of this damaged tissue are dead or dying, so it is important for a person experiencing frostbite to seek medical help immediately. Signs of frostbite include loss of feeling and a grey, white, or pale appearance to the extremities, especially the fingers, toes, ears, and nose. The skin must be rewarmed as soon as possible.

Frostbite and hypothermia can occur even when the temperatures are not extremely low. Wind chill is a phenomenon that can cause these injuries quickly. Wind chill is not the actual temperature but how the combination of wind and cold feel. A wind chill factor of -20° F (-28.8° C), for instance, will cause frostbite within only 30 minutes.

If medical help is not available, warm the person slowly, beginning first with the torso and head. Warming the extremities first can drive cold blood to the heart and cause it to fail. Help the person into dry clothing and wrap them with blankets, including the head and neck. You may have to use your own body heat to help warm them. The person may be given warm, but not hot, fluids. Do not give them food, alcohol, caffeine, or drugs.

Clearly, it is best to be prepared for the expected and, when possible, the unexpected. When going outside in cold weather, dress in layers. If you become warm, you can always take off layers, but have the extra clothing available if it is needed. Since half of our body heat is lost from the head, wear a hat. The hat should also cover the ears for added protection. Mittens will keep hands and fingers warmer than will gloves, but you may want to have gloves available, if you have to use your fingers. It is very important to keep your feet warm and dry, so wear waterproof, insulated boots with a good tread to keep you from slipping.

If you get wet, remove the wet clothing and warm the core body temperature as soon as possible. Avoid overexertion in the cold. Perspiration can lead to chilling and hypothermia. Also, the strain to the body from the cold and the hard work can cause a heart attack.

At home and at work, the major concerns during a storm are loss of electrical power, telephone service, and supply shortage. Be prepared by keeping the following items available for just such an occasion: flashlight and extra batteries, battery-powered radio, extra food and water, extra medicine, baby supplies, first-aid supplies, heating fuel, emergency heat source (ventilate rooms and use properly to prevent fires), fire extinguisher, and smoke alarm. In addition, you will want to have food, water, and shelter for any animals for which you are responsible.

Traveling by vehicle can be hazardous in cold weather, even if it is not icy outside. Plan your trip well, and avoid traveling during storms or when bad weather is predicted. Make sure your vehicle is in good working condition and winterized. To avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines, keep your gas tank full. The following is a list of what a Winter Storm Kit should contain, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Red Cross:

  • Mobile phone, charger, batteries
  • Blankets/sleeping bags
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • First-aid kit
  • Knife
  • High-calorie, non-perishable food
  • Extra clothing to keep dry and warm
  • Large, empty can to use as emergency toilet
  • Tissues and paper towels for sanitary purposes
  • Small can and waterproof matches to melt snow for drinking water
  • Sack of sand or cat litter for traction
  • Shovel
  • Windshield scraper and brush
  • Tool kit
  • Tow rope
  • Battery booster cables
  • Water container
  • Compass and road maps

It is important to plan ahead. It does not take a lot of effort to do the minimal for safety. Even the animals and insects plan ahead! “The ants [are] a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer.” Proverbs 30:25. Take a little extra time to prepare yourself and your family or others to have a safe winter.

Sheryle Beaudry, a certified teletriage nurse, writes from Estacada, Oregon, where she lives with her husband and twin daughters. She may be contacted by e-mail at: sbeaudryrn@hotmails.com. If there is a health-related question you would like answered in LandMarks, please e-mail your question to: landmarks@stepstolife.org, or mail it to: LandMarks, Steps to Life, P. O. Box 782828, Wichita, KS 67278.