Hope for Hard Times

Posted Oct 15, 04:48 PM by Kay Camenisch

I’m not an economist. I have some knowledge about my personal finances, but understanding the national economy is beyond me. Nevertheless, our present financial situation is a total mystery to me.
It seems we have two problems. First, individuals across America, have spent beyond their means. They bought houses that they couldn’t afford. Consequently, they can’t pay their mortgages and have defaulted.
The first is tied together with, and dependent on, the second problem. Congress was eager to help all these fine people buy a house they couldn’t afford. Consequently, they changed the rules for lending institutions allowing them to loan money they didn’t have to people who didn’t have ability to pay it back. As a result, when the individuals could not pay their mortgages, the lending institutions were caught in a bind— they could no longer pay their obligations. Am I right?
It’s further complicated because the disease has spread around the world. Numerous individuals, businesses, and banking institutions are extended beyond their means. It may be oversimplified, but that’s how I understand the problem. When we overspend, we eventually get caught.

What baffles me is the solution to the problem.

If families, businesses, and banks get into trouble for spending money they don’t have, how will it get us out of the mess if governments follow the same pattern? How can it help if nations also spend money they don’t have? I don’t get it. I just don’t understand.

It seems that influential countries around the world are all following the same program. I must have missed some logic somewhere.

Or, maybe they missed something. It seems to me that fear is fueling—and clouding—the decision making process. Individual investors and government leaders alike are in a panic and are making decisions based on fear and pushed by a frightened constituency that demands a quick fix. The media focus on the crisis fans the flame of fear. Frantic selling fuels further panic. Every hint of possible doom fans the wildfire further. But, the solutions based on fear are making certain that consequences will remain with us far into the future.

I’m sure the enemy loves the turmoil we’re in. When we are focused on fears, it crowds out faith. Like Peter walking on the water, if we keep our eyes on the Lord, we can stay on top—even in the midst of a storm. However, if we take our eyes off of Jesus and look at the waves crashing against us, we are sure to sink. (See Luke 6:53-56.)

The crisis was fueled by greed. We will undoubtedly experience rough times. God never promised that life would be easy. In fact, we are guaranteed suffering. However, Jesus did promise that He would care for us, even as He cares for the sparrow.

With news of financial turmoil and a pivotal election approaching, it’s hard to stay focused on the Lord, but it’s worth the effort to do so. After all, Jesus told us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and He would care for us. We can trust Him to provide—if we look to Him instead of leaning on our own understanding and being driven by our fears.

Do not be anxious then, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘With what shall we clothe ourselves?’ For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you (Mat 6:31-33 NASB).

If we look at the history of Israel, we can see that the principle holds true for a nation as well as for individuals.