Will there ever be any end to the economic decline? Many very smart people are 'weighing in' on this question. Gas prices are going through 'the roof' and restricting the travel of many Americans like never before. Grandparents are unable to visit their children and grandchilldren who live some distance away. Even trips to the supermarket are becoming less frequent and we are learning that we must become 'logistics' savvy as we plan the use of our family vehicle. So much of our life is dependent on gasoline and oil. Food prices are up an average of 15%, clothing is seeing higher prices and there does not seem to be any end in sight.
Our lifestyles and, some say, even our freedom is being restricted. Americans are experiencing heightened levels of anxiety as it becomes more difficult to make ends meet. Our politicians are promising better days but those days do not seem to be on the horizon!
As if this is not enough to break us, government leaders talk about raising taxes and cutting services while, at the same time, suggesting Americans need to step up and pay their 'fare share'! As if we are not contributing enough! They seem to have lost sight of the fact that we all carry 100% of the burden. The goverment has no money of it's own to contribute....it is our money they continue to confiscate and spend.
All of these factors, and more, are seeming to 'stress out' those who come up short every week.
So....where is God in all of this? Does He really care? Is He active in the affairs of mankind?
When we turn to God's word we do learn that God cares for us. The teaching of scripture is that God will always provide our needs. Some periods of time will always be better than others but, make no mistake, God is present in all of this.
If you are experiencing depression or anxiety due to the stresses of life, remember these words from Matthew:
6:26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:26-34
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