I KNOW there really are real issues going on and I’m not making light of those by any means.
But.
All I’ve been hearing lately from all over the place is about how bad the economy is. And everything negative is blamed on the bad economy. And people can’t afford things because of the bad economy.
And we all shake our heads with a grim look on our faces.
Even at the auction last Saturday…people were talking about how the crowd was sparce…and where was everyone and how come not very many people came to the auction?
“I guess it’s the bad economy.”
Seriously…people said that. At an auction. Where you can get a whole box of un-used lighbulbs for two dollars. Or a whole set of dishes for a buck.
Puh-lease. I’m pretty sure the bad economy isn’t to blame for people not coming to an auction where they could get an amazing price on a box of junk someone’s old dusty belongings.
I decided to lovingly point out to the crowd of grim faced head shakers that perhaps since there was a home Husker football game…everyone maybe went to that instead? (Because seriously, when there’s a home Husker game in Nebraska….everyone wears red and flocks to Lincoln for the game.) (And the bad economy hasn’t kept people from doing it.)
Anyway. Maybe…could we not blame the bad economy each time we get a hang nail? Or stub our toe? Or burn the toast?
And maybe could we not listen so much to what the media is trying to do to throw us all into a panic?
And instead…can we keep our trust in the One we know will take care of us no matter what?
Because no matter what is going on with our economy…we are so very rich.
Have you seen all the stuff you have? And the place you have to put all your stuff? And all the food you have to eat?
We are rich. We are just fine. We will always have everything we need.
God told us that we would. (Matt. 6:25-34)
And I believe Him.
Way more than I believe what the grim faced head shakers tell me at an auction.
God is faithful. While everything around us may change, God will remain the same. Always.
God is good.
He is the I AM.
AMEN!
Hee, Mrs. S took my comment! :>) We are so incredibly blessed that I’m not one bit worried about what may come.
Amen, indeed. I am so glad we can trust in His promises.
Amen!! I hate it because people are more concerned with the economy than with REAL issues!!
Well said.
My DH and I were just talking along similar lines tonight. I blah-blogged about it if you’d like to read it. ;-)
Amen sister!
Amen and amen, sister! (because just plain Amen was already taken, lol)
Amen again and again! I think it is election year jitters and the media trying to make us feel like things are worse than thay really are.
I agree with you. I recall hearing a sermon stating that if we have running water in our house and roof over our head, we are some of the wealthiest people in the world!
Our riches though are in heaven – bring it on.
Sorta OT, but pulling from your post.
I grew up in Ohio, Ohio State fans are intense. I always figured they were the most intense. Well I learned I was wrong when we were stationed in Omaha. We were stationed in Nebraska for a while and my husband was a base cop who worked with local police during a particularly bad season. Not only would local businesses close “in mourning” the day after a loss, but the rate of domestic abuse was INSANE if the Huskers were losing. We had never seen anything like it! Just crazy.
Nebraska fans. Intense doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Amen!!!
AMEN!!
We just had a message last night at church about trusting God as He is in control. He is on His throne and always will be.
AMEN!! God’s Economy is never bad! :)
God Bless,
Shannon in NC
Great post. More people need to read this. I have also heard a lot of people said it is almost as bad as the depressions. Hello, look around, we all have closets full of clothes, big screen tv’s, and junk food in the house. We are not near the depression. People need to step back and realize how good we have it in America right now. Even though it might be worse than it was a few years ago, we still have it pretty good compared to other countries and other generations. Thanks for the great post.
Another AMEN!!
We still have it SO good in this country. A lot better than most of the rest of the world.
Amen!
Thanks for this post, Laura. Think many people need a wake-up call and remember what’s *really* important. We’re blessed beyond measure and still live in the greatest country on earth. Even in an election year :).
PS–I grew up in Lincoln, so had to laugh at your Huskers comment. So true! LOL.
AMEN! My husband always reminds me that God is sovereign. You’re right about us being rich – I’m in front of a lap top enjoying my children’s laughter after they’ve eaten breakfast and asking what’s for lunch and dinner and what should we wear today, etc., etc. God always supplies our NEEDS – what a comfort in what others call depressing times. THANKS for taking the time “To Say This.”
I’ve been reading your site for awhile and didn’t realize you were from Nebraska? I also just figured out you have a recipe site. I’ve been looking for new recipes so I’ll be checking that out too.
I just love this post. I must admit, I am such a worrier. My husband tells me that I make up things to worry about. You are absolutely correct…God is in total control and I can rest in that certainty.
Have a great day!
Amen! It’s hard not to be concerned with all of the media spin, but God is in control. And unfortunately most of the “bad economy” is all based on our desire for more and more and more and more and not ever really realizing the full cost of “more” or the great expense of “keeping up with the Jones’.” Great post! I whole heartedly agree. God is not controlled by the Newspaper headlines. Thanks for the reminder!
I wholeheartedly agree with you that God is our protection and in that Truth we can remain secure.
My husband is an institutional bond salesman and so all this “craziness” that is going on is part of what he has to deal with every day. He also feels that God has called him to truly dig in to the Word and see what the Bible has to say on the subject of debt…and the reality of what our country is potentially on the verge of is very scriptural.
I think the saddest thing of all is that in our churches you will find little difference between the finances of a believer and a non-believer. So, with that being said, although I do agree that God will protect us and we can rest in Him and take refuge, there is also quite a bit of personal responsibility that lies with making choices that were reflecting more on worldly things than eternal things.
The amount of debt our country recently took on is staggering and this was all to avoid the consequences of choices many of us have made. Proverbs 22:7 says, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. So although I don’t feel hopeless, because in fact my hope is in Christ, I do realize that there is some discipline on the horizon.
Our pastor recently encouraged us to remember that it is not necessarily a bad thing to pray for humility. Our country desperately needs to be humbled. The journey to humility is often a painful one but it is a quality that brings us closer to Jesus and in that we can be filled with peace.
Another scripture that applies to this economic situation is Proverbs 22:3: ” A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
This is surely a time to examine our lives and diagnose the areas where our choices have caused us to stray away from Kingdom works. It’s difficult because it may go directly what you hear everyone say (for example…”you deserve to be a homeowner, it’s the American dream”) but what I have been learning recently is that almost everything that Jesus teaches follows that pattern. We are “in” this world but not to be “of” this world and I think this is just what many of us need to remember that.
On the other hand…lots of jobs ARE being impacted by the slowing economy. It isn’t just about less people being able to afford extras. People who never before had to worry about rent or food now are. Just ask anyone at a local health department how many THOUSANDS of appointment they have seen because people on the verge of real trouble have lost their footing.
Not everyone has a salary that you get no matter what.
Not everyone has insurance.
Not everyone has anymore places they can cut back.
And I’m pretty sure that the Lord blesses in in 10000000 of ways BEFORE he blesses with wealth.
Well said! Thanks for sharing that, I totally agree and think it needs to be heard more often! Props to you!!!
So true. :) True about the Huskers too. We lived in Nebraska for a while and my husband grew up there (in Hebron, biggest porch swing, now there’s a great claim to fame LOL). Lincoln just basically shuts down on game day!
AMEN!!!!!!
I was asking my husband, “Why is this crash so bad?” Gas and other “necessities” are going down. I realize that we are not “retiring” anytime soon, but God is good and we won’t go hungry. HE’S IN CONTROL!!!
Wow, I like you already! I’ll be sure to keep checking in at your blog. Not to put any pressure on you :)
A resounding AMEN!!!
So true, girl, so true..
I grew up in Lincoln and my husband can’t figure out why I’m not a rabid Husker fan…maybe it’s because I had to leave 5 hours early for work on game days :)
“We will always have everything we need” !
I love your blog my friend..blessings!
So VERY well said! I had lunch with several ladies and this is what we talked about. We are so wealthy as a nation. Most kids do not know poverty. We need to teach them the difference between “needs” and “wants”. Some may have to learn the hard way! God is always in control…no matter who is “running” the country!
VERY well said!! My husband and I have been saying for a while now that when NFL games stop being sold out and McDonald’s goes out of business, we’ll start worrying about the economy…
A refreshing and different view on the economy! Well put!
Thanks for saying this out loud. Well, sorta out loud anyway. I agree!
Yes! Well said, and so true.
Blessings,
Steph
Great point. My husband and I tried to go out to lunch the other day and we couldn’t even find a parking space, the restaurants were so packed. We ended up driving by 3 or 4 until we could find one with a parking space and a table!
Toni
This made me giggle. I sat and thought well, what can I blame on the economy?
I don’t want to bother with potty training my almost three year old boy…. bad economy and all.
I can’t afford to waste my husband’s hard earned money going out to lunch every day… bad economy and all.
I don’t want to roll out of bed to make breakfast. It will save us money on food.. bad economy and all.
Im sorry. I know it’s serious to some, but I had to laugh at this post. I have a peace that God is God.. bad economy and all!
I was going to say “Amen” but it looks like it has been said already. :) Very good post and my thoughs exactly!!
Well said! We have been hit though and are trying to move to a better area. Which we would have done anyhow…I believe. All this whining over it is just going to make it WORSE and make people afraid to spend. Let’s just all hush!!!