Don't Go It Alone in Tough Financial Times

We talked about God's reasons. My brother said, "We put it all in God's hands. We know He has a reason and His reasons are good reasons." We do not think that God caused this; but we are human, and question His ways. Yet, we know there is the "free will" by which humans, all of us, choose between right and wrong. I believe that our wrongs do grieve God, who is love, for only He can see the extent to which those wrongs hurt innocent others.  

This morning in church we learned that a new group will start soon, for people being laid off, fearing it, or having to tell others they must now face it. Families are stressed, along with the one losing, or fearing the loss of, a job.

Someone in the church, a trained social worker, offered his skills for free to everyone who wants to be part of the new group. Who knows where that may lead, as people pray together, share what is on their minds, and know that they now are not facing it entirely alone, that they are not the only ones hurting when they did nothing wrong?

Sometimes it helps to know we are not the only ones. I used to tell a member of our family who was in a difficult work situation, "Remember, you are never there alone." She knew what I meant, for she trusts that God is with her all the time, through the good, the stressful, and the boring.

My husband and I made a trip south after Christmas. We visited with lots of family members between North Carolina and Florida. At every household, there were illnesses or the frailties of old age. We felt blessed to be together, to share, and to pray together. In ways more than I can share, I personally knew the protection of God in a freak incident that could have turned out very bad.  

Some of you who know me a little through my writing may have suspected that I tend to be a private person. Yet, when it comes to praising God, I long to be very public! He is worthy of all praise, for we can trust Him when all circumstances about us give few signs of trustworthiness, when people in power in business and government wreak havoc on a nation and the world. Their greed for power or money, or both, and their pride that will not admit ignorance of the matters before them, has caused many rich and powerful people to cause giant catastrophes. Every time one of them tries to undo the damage, they seem to fail millions more people.

In our family, one very close to us last week was laid off from a long-time, full time job. Another, older and supporting two children in college and another to go in two years, is waiting to see if his job will still be in the coming weeks.

Think of the financial giants like Bank of America, already a bailout money recipient, along with all the many others. Think of the inventive giants like Microsoft that are laying off people. These are only two of many examples.

Think, too, of the fact that companies like Apple started during a down time economically. That's the other side in the real world.

However, most of all, think of God. He has never failed His own. His answers are better for us than those we can arrange or even pray for, and He has made so many promises that are always, without exception, kept. He keeps them on His terms, however, for we do not know as much as we tend to believe we know.

Do you remember seeing a TV report about a lady in California who was rescued after an earthquake? She lived on the third floor, as I recall, of an apartment building that was broken up by the power of the shaking earth beneath.

When help finally reached her, she had not had food or water for a day or so. Yet, she was calm. She welcomed the workers with praise to God.

"You're so calm!" they said, amazed.

"I knew God would not fail me," she answered. And they said she spoke through a smile. 

There is a saying you may have heard, "God's never in a hurry, but He's always on time." That saying stays alive because it's so.

The God who gave His people the Manna to eat, heavenly food, in the desert as Moses led them out of Egypt's grip in those days, never fails those who put their trust in Him. Yes, the people of God suffer, but they have already trusted God with their lives, for they know He will bring them through. Even when they cannot think or pray, He watches over them. He will carry them home.

I am one of God's children, through faith in Jesus Christ, and I hope that as times get even rougher those who trust in Him will not bend or waver, including myself. I pray that I will trust that whatever happens, God will work His good through it. That is the longing of the Christian's heart, as you may already know, for it may be your heart's longing, too.

Dear friend, the psalmist prayed, " If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me" (Psalm 139: 8-10).

Our great, mighty, faithful, all-sufficient, and loving God will never fail us. Therefore, let us think not only of ourselves and our families. Let us pray for all who are facing more than they feel they can bear. Let us pray for all who have been deceived, misused, and forgotten. God will never deceive, misuse, or forget, for He finds wickedness abhorrent.

Let us pray also for our enemies, those who have deceived, misused, and abused, for one day they must give an accounting before God, and what can they possibly say to excuse themselves? What can they possibly do to make amends to strangers and family members they disregarded and cast off?

Jesus said, "Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you" (Luke 6:28). When we think of the financially careless CEOs and others, who remain free, many not charged with any wrong-doing or even required to return their own ill-gotten gain, we realize too that they must face God. In that case, they will need prayers, for that will be a rough time of accounting. God does not shut His eyes to wrong, even to the wrongs of those He loves. Let us pray these financial and governmental users of others will repent, with deep sorrow and shame.

They need to begin now to repent, repay, and re-legislate, with penalties for themselves, as well, if they took part in any of the problems through what they did or did not do. It may be too late for them to make full restitution, for so much cannot be undone and so much suffering already going on is exacting a high price on individuals and families. But it is never too late for those in banking, finance, and Congress to try and to prove it with results.

Meanwhile, let us not let any root of bitterness form in us, or we will fall to that level to which they either deliberately or blindly drifted, fell, or stumbled. Let us look up! Let us remember God!

Thank and praise the Lord, for He is the sure Refuge, the Security now and forevermore. Every morning, remember His loving kindness and every night, give thanks for His faithfulness!  There is much farther to go. We need not go it alone. Don't go it alone!

I don't know how my dad supported four adults during the Depression, before I was born, but he did, on a very low salary. I don't know how my older brother survived air battles in a long war, but he did, although he was shot down and his plane destroyed. I don't know how my maternal grandmother raised five children after her husband left, crippled by alcoholism, but she did. I don't understand those and a lot of other amazing things, but God knows it all. He was a big part of the care, comfort, and help. That I do know. No one has to go it alone, and who with any wisdom would choose to do so? 

It's not enough to stop there, though, is it? What if you have not lost your job? What if for you and me everything goes better than for many others? What are we to do? Are we to go it alone, in our relatively secure, so far, financial situation? Yes, most of us do have money concerns, but if we have a place to live, food, and other necessities, we have things to share already.

I want to share with those in trouble. Churches are good places to start, for no one is above anyone else there. Pride is not a concern there, if we are following Christ. Places of worship and sharing community are a good beginning.

God bless you all. Look up! Let's do that, and then reach out.

Psalm 139

» left by Avis Ward

from SC 2 years 351 days ago.

Amen. I pray everyone will heed what you share in this article, Jane. May God bless you for reaching out to your brothers and sisters, His children. There's nothing left for me to say other than I wish this reach the masses.

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» left by Jane Bullard 2 years 339 days ago.

Dear Friend, Your words have helped lift my spirits over many days. Thank you. God bless. Jane

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» left by straight talk

2 years 349 days ago.
111 fans. Follow straight talk on twitter!

Jane a really good article. I llike "God will never fail us" and you are correct. However, the real question is, why have we failed God? Best wishes.

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» left by Jane Bullard 2 years 339 days ago.

Hi Robert, thank you for taking the time to comment.The last words in your comments sparked many thoughts. I'm still mulling them over to see if I can write at a little length on this topic. Jane

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» left by straight talk 2 years 339 days ago.
111 fans. Follow straight talk on twitter!

I trust you can jane, yet I have wondered why so many profess and act it out but cannot deliver on it.  best wishes, Robert

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