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Beating an Economic Slump
God's Word says, "'For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (Jer. 29:11, NIV). This is God's blueprint for your life. But how do we get there from here?
God's Word says, "'He who has ears, let him hear'" (Matt. 11:15). Doing without hearing is folly, and hearing is necessary to doing. During times of economic crisis, we need to hear from God first and foremost, and that requires prayer!
Israel made an alliance when they believed the lie told to them by the men of Jabesh Gilead (see Judg. 21). After the lie was revealed, God chastened Israel's leaders because they had not prayed first. But the alliance was binding, so they had to live with it.
The last thing you need in a slow economy is to make an ally of someone who promises one thing but does another. Before allying yourself with a colleague, legal counselor or company, make sure you've heard from God.
The Israelites made a tactical blunder another time when they engaged the Canaanites in battle without first clearing it with God (see Judg. 3). You don't need to face any battles that are not given by God for you to win.
Before starting a corporate climb, or going head-to-head with a competitor, get clear direction. Only fight the battles God has given you to win. After you have prayed and believe you have heard from God, seek wise counsel.
Always seek help from someone who has been where you're trying to go. You'll be surprised at how many men will pick up the telephone to talk to you just because you asked for advice. I know I do.
Next, search God's Word for clear confirmation about your intended plan. Whether your daily reading has you in Chronicles or Corinthians, or if you use a Strong's Concordance or commentary, God will speak to you through His Word as you meditate and pray.
I've always taught men to read the Word daily, then choose one thought, one verse out of your daily reading to meditate on all day. At the Christian Men's Network, we read Psalms at night for courage and Proverbs every morning for wisdom one chapter of Proverbs for the corresponding day of the month. "Feeding" on the Word in that way brings "health to your bones" (see Prov. 3:8).
Prayer, wise counsel and biblical confirmation creates your plan to ride out the economy.
Once your plan is hatched, stick to it! Misunderstanding is a tool of the devil, but impatience is a tool of the flesh. We love to blame the devil when things go wrong, but I am convinced that more men miss out on God by impatience than by any other means.
That was Saul's undoing. He lost the kingdom when he refused to wait for the prophet Samuel to offer a sacrifice to the Lord (see 1 Sam. 13:8-10). Saul, a king, moved into the office of the priest and lost his kingdom.
Your plan will need adjustments, so you can be flexible. But once you've heard from God, you don't need to create a new plan each day or after every news report.
Remember that success is built on the ability to say "no," not the ability to say "yes." Saying "no" to distractions, depression, discouragement and potential detours allows you to say "yes" to yourself, your future and to God.
Lastly, talk about your plan. Write it down. Sit down with your wife, if you're married, and maybe even your children, if they're old enough to understand. Tell them what you believe God has said to you and commit to pray as a family.
Find those verses of Scripture that God spoke to your heart about your plan and repeat them every morning when you pray. Type them out and put them on your bathroom mirror, in your daytimer, or use them as your screensaver.
God always starts on a positive and ends on a positive. He will never leave you, forsake you or renege on His promises to you.
God has no plans for your failure. God only has plans for your success. So hold on, ride out the difficulties, and believe Him for the salvation of your finances and your life.
By the late Edwin Louis Cole, known as the pioneer of the modern-day men's movement and founder of the Christian Men’s Network (CMN). Visit CMN’s Web site at edcole.org.
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