This has been a incredibly difficult economic time in the US. There’s not one of us that, if we haven’t lost a job, doesn’t know a family member or friend that’s become un or underemployed. It has touched us all. And, the truth is, no one knows for sure when or how fast we will rebound. When it does come back no one can be sure what will have changed permanently. What we do know is that, from a business perspective, it’s going to be an uphill battle for a while. I’ve been in some uphill battles before and here’s what I learned:
A) Prayer changes our surroundings: I had one of my most difficult years, personally, in 1995. I had moved my family during some economic uncertainty leaving behind all my business contacts and connections. It was a move that I was convinced God wanted us to do but scary along the way. It was touch and go throughout the year and that kept us close to God in prayer. That December I received the best Christmas gift ever! My brother had kept track of answered prayers from throughout the year a pulled them together into a single file. It was confirmation of how God had been working in very specific ways. That file started a “God folder” of answered prayers I keep in a drawer immediately to my right. God is not a Genie that is there simply to grant our wishes but prayer changes things. (BTW – when people get three wishes from a Genie, why don’t they ask for more wishes when they get to the third wish?)
B) Prayer changes me: – I learned that security outside of God is an illusion. I learned that our circumstances tomorrow are guaranteed by no one but the promises of God for joy, peace and wisdom are true. And, when we let him, he does use all things for our good. I was different, I am different because of prayer during those days.
C) There are 2 ways to live - Fearfully & Frustrated or Purposefully & Prayerfully: Often I am tempted to live fearfully (which usually means I’m trusting in something other than God). When that happens I get frustrated with everything and everyone around me. But I can live Purposefully recognizing the great opportunity/responsibility God has given me to serve. And I can live Prayerfully asking for God’s direction and wisdom and finding his peace and joy. I know the choice is up to me and I choose Purposefully & Prayerfully. I still wake up at 4:00 am from time to time tempted with fear. But, when I do, I use that time to talk as intimately as I know how with God. It’s a choice that becomes easier to make over time.
What do you choose?
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