Dealing with the Uncertainty of an Economic Downturn
Have you or someone you know been impacted by the recent economic downturn? It is easy to worry about what it means to you and your family. With 24-7 news coverage and up-to-the-second coverage of the stock market, the constant noise of fear and uncertainty can take a toll. Instead of focusing on the fear, I’d like for us to focus on the encouragement that God can provide during this time.
God will provide, even during an economic downturn
If you are one of those that have been directly impacted due to the problems in the housing market or the drop in the stock market, things may tough for you and your family right now. The wonderful news is that, as God’s children through Jesus Christ, God has promised to take care of our needs:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
Matthew 6:25-31 (NIV)
While you may have read these verses before, they can take on a whole new meaning when going through a tough economic time. Consider carefully what Jesus is saying: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Worrying about the physical things of this world is pointless. God knows what we need and he’ll provide them: food, drink, clothing, and shelter.
While it is difficult to imagine, you will get through the economic downturn. Things may not be the same before, but that may be a good thing actually. Let’s read a little further:
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:33-34
As many of us have already experienced, it is during this time that God teaches us to grow and depend more on Him than on ourselves and what we can produce for ourselves. If we are seeking Him first, He will provide the rest. Our God is a Father who loves us and wants to provide for us, just like we do for our own children.
I really like how The Message rephrases these words from Jesus:
“If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body… What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving.”
Matthew 6:25,31 (The Message)
During this time of fear and uncertainty, you have a choice: are you going to focus on what you are NOT getting, or what God IS giving?
If you are not a child of God yet, these verses may not mean as much to you. I encourage you to consider giving your life over to Him, that He may meet both your physical and spiritual needs and guide you throughout the rest of your life. .
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