Why Self-Reliance Matters More Than Ever

Everywhere you turn these days, people are talking about uncertainty—about how fragile the systems we depend on really are. Whether it’s supply chains, politics, or the economy, we’re realizing that the old promise of stability was never guaranteed. I’ve felt it myself—the quiet unease that comes when you look around and wonder how ready we truly are for change.

But here’s the thing: self-reliance isn’t about fear. It’s about freedom.

When I first began learning homesteading skills, I thought I was preparing for “what ifs.”
Over time, I realized I was preparing for peace.
Every new skill—gardening, canning, repairing, building—became an act of faith in the future.
Each one whispered, “You’re capable. You’re cared for. You can provide.”

Paul wrote to and encouraged the Thessalonians to live peaceably and avoid idleness

“And that you use your endeavors to be quiet, and that you do your own business,

and work with your own hands, as we commanded you:” (1 Thessalonians 4:11).

That’s not a call to isolation—it’s an invitation to peace. When we take responsibility for the basics of life, we reclaim something modern convenience has stolen: the dignity of provision. Learning to grow your own food, mend your own clothes, and tend your own land doesn’t just strengthen your body—it restores your soul. It reminds you that the good life isn’t something you buy; it’s something you build, with faith and patience, day by day.

If you’ve been feeling that tug toward self-sufficiency—toward a more grounded, peaceful way of living—I invite you to join us at Vine and Fig Tree Workshops. Come learn the skills that build confidence and contentment for the uncertain days ahead.