Depressing Economy? Don't Worry, Trust God!

No matter who you are, it's hard to miss hearing about the big economic crisis our country is facing. As we were driving home from school today, we were listening to a local Christian station. When the news came on, our youngest son, Michael, asked me to turn up the volume. Why? He wanted to hear what they were saying about our economy! He's worried, like most Americans, about what our country is facing. He's only in 4th grade and worrying about the economy! In a recent poll, almost 60% of Americans believe that we are heading for a depression. That's a higher percentage, on average, than voter turnout in our elections!

Are you worried about the economy? Your investments? Whether the economic bailout will make matters worse, or not? What about your family's economic future? Your retirement? I would be less than truthful if I said I wasn't worried at all. I am concerned. However, there is hope. We find this hope in the words of Jesus Christ himself,

"“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.""Matthew 6:25-34

In this passage, Jesus tells us that God promises to take care of us and provide for all of our needs. No matter what our economy is doing or what our personal financial situation is, we can trust God to supply our needs. But we also have a part to play. First, we are not to worry. Worry immobilizes us, thus making us useless and ineffective as believers. Not to mention, worry affects our relationships with others. Secondly, we are to seek the Kingdom of God first and live righteously. In other words, we are to put God first in our lives, filling our thoughts with His desires, obeying Him, serving Him, and patterning ourselves after the character of Christ.

God does love you. Trust in Him. Don't allow your worries to overcome your life and thoughts. Give your anxieties over to Christ and let go of them. Don't take them back once you give them to Him. AND...instead of focusing on your problems and worries, focus on Christ and living your life in a way that exalts Him! Through Christ you can know the peace and joy that transcends the troubles of this world!

Grace and Peace!

In His Love, Cathy