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Christianity Today, December (Web-only), 2008 |

Soulwork

Livid and Afraid

An ancient pundit on the meaning of economic disaster.

Mark Galli | posted 12/04/2008 09:25AM

...

So begins what is these days an all too familiar story. This one comes from the Experience Project.

"Of course, our company has been downsizing like crazy, so I knew what she was going to tell me. ...

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CemJeobegag

Posted: December 14, 2008 1:41 AM


Hi! My name is Jessika!

Ally	Posted: December 07, 2008 3:57 PM

I am thanking God every day for the "simplified life" He has called me to - during these tough economic times there is so much uncertainty, yet the one thing we are promised...He is with us always - He is in control. I am aware of the radical conspirarcy's out there who say that the dollar is worth nothing, the market is crashing, socialism is on the way. Has anyone done any research "biblically" on this - i.e. search G. Edward Griffin re: the making of the federal reserve - I know Ron Paul has had a few things to say about this too. I KNOW that what will happen, will happen - but do want to make sure my family is firstly spiritually ready, yet secondly, is there something we as Christians should be doing i.e. turning $ into silver and gold, buying food to store for tough times - any biblical thoughts? I've prayed about it and was sent here! God bless us all.

Peter McCarroll (Registered User)

Posted: December 04, 2008 8:31 PM

I am a financial planner with a large financial services firm. It's amazing how many investors have forgotten the trying times the financial markets experienced in the 2000-2002 period. Somehow we think that good economic times will continue and forget how fragile the U.S. and global economies can be. We should be wise with the resources we have (do you have a financial plan? is it right for you? and are you working the plan?) and trust God with all that we have. I thank God for the few resources that I have but know that all that I have and all that I am are His. If the economy were to completely collapse, I am still His and will depend on His good graciousness.

Doug	Posted: December 04, 2008 7:58 PM

I feel badly for people that had money in the stock market. But if you are 72 years old and you had your money in stocks you need some financial counseling. NO ONE should have all their money in stocks beyond 60. NO ONE! Maybe 25%. But otherwise they should be in very safe and secure investments. Some of the problem we are experiencing may well be God's judgment. But it isn't so much an act of God as it is a consequence of our stupidity and greed. We have reaped what we have sown. We lived on borrowed money. We leveraged our homes. We spent more than we can afford. It is simply a consequence of stupidity. Also this really isn't all that bad. Just look at the lines to buy the new Blackberry! We just saw a person trampled at WalMart for TV's. Only a very well to do country has that problem. We have a problem because our expectations are simply ridiculous. If we had to go back and live like we lived in the 60's we'd think hell had come. But the 60's were pretty good!

Howard Pepper

Posted: December 04, 2008 6:00 PM

As to the survey on response to the financial crisis, I had to be honest and say anger... because it said primary response. That can mean either first or predominant, and I leaned toward first. If more of us were honest and not just giving the "right" answers (faith and trust mainly), I think we'd see much higher numbers in the top set, and especially anger. There HAS been much injustice and incompetence involved. That doesn't mean we can't then move to faith and trust, as we should.

Roger Fleming

Posted: December 04, 2008 5:48 PM

I am semi-retired at 72. My IRAs are worth 50-60% of what they were a few months ago. When the phrase was coined, "It's the economy, stupid," I thought it wouldn't take long for our Sovereign Lord to touch that idol. He does rule over the nations. Does He care about His people? Of course. Do we also need to consider where our true center of trust lies? Yes. May God use this to purify my own heart and help me look beyond myself. This is a time for His people to Be His people and care for one another.

Angelia

Posted: December 04, 2008 3:32 PM

I have some experience with this. What I've learned is that it says, "Do not fear," 365 times in the Bible. My husband, from 2003 to 2007 was laid off for over 15 months, the longest stretch for 10 months. We stayed in our home, ate 3 squares a day, had clothing, health insurance for catastrophies only, depleted our savings, maintained our credit rating, continued to give to the church, and made it. I learned first hand that God is Jehovah Jirah--the Lord provides. I learned to choose to trust Him when fear bubbles up. We survived and we as a nation will make it through this, stronger for the testing--but only if Christians lead the way. Suffering produces perserverance, perserverance endurance, and endurance, character.

Dale	Posted: December 04, 2008 3:13 PM

Thanks for the good news of grace at work in the severity of our times. Yes, anger and fear are part of my internal expreience in all this but it really is in precisely this kind of tough time where the Lord has had my attention most and I have learned the best. In the middle of what most considered England's darkest days Winston Churchill said, "These are not dark days: these are great days - the greatest days our country has ever lived." When I angry and afraid my heart is more focused on the Father. These are the best of times.

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