Recession Ponderings #4 reposted - Faith vs. fear

Originally posted March, 2008...

I was trying to have a quiet time this morning (using my notes from watching Beth Moore on Life Today this past Wednesday).

However, my thoughts kept coming back to my earlier post... hoping it doesn't cause anyone to fear because they can't do enough to prepare for what ever is to come. I remembered using both of these verses in a series I did last year called Homemaking In Difficult Times (under Labels on the side bar).

A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
Proverbs 22:3

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

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? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Matthew 6:25-27

It would seem like these verses are completely opposites of each other but they are not. I have learned so much from the struggles we have endured over the years. Yes, we've had more than the usual financial setbacks since my husband's field (Quality Assurance Engineering) was often hit first when a company had to lay off people.

Also, since he has struggled with chronic environmental allergies since before we were married, he had seasons in his life when his work was excellent and others when it wasn't up to par... all according to the times of the year and any allergy "hits" he may have endured. People with life challenging allergies do not have the normal allergy symptoms quite often (sneezing and such) but their brains are swelling to the point it is impossible to think clearly. His actual S.S. Disability illness is Bipolar Disorder, because these are the symptoms such extreme allergies bring about in him.

There have been plenty of times I really did stomp my feet and yell at God... a number of times, actually ... and I don't have any burn marks or singed eyebrows... yet. :) The journey has been quite difficult at times but He was working on the outcome, molding and shaping each person in our family to become what HE wanted us to be, not what we wanted (hmmm... fame, fortune, brilliance, CEO positions, etc.).

It is wise to look tomorrow right in the proverbial eyes and prepare as He shows each family. He talks today, even if it is that "still small voice" when He brings to your thinking what you should do in the way of purchases, making home improvements, what to buy and what to put off buying, whether you should make a move or stay where you are, etc.

Contrary to some teaching that God is far off... created the planet... and then told us He'll see us at the end of time and yes, by the way... uh... good luck living on a hostile planet folks!... His Word tells us how much he cares for each person. He has the hairs of our head numbered. He sees the sparrow fall from the tree. His Word tells us He knew when and where we would be born not to mention the day of our final breath.

At the same time, He also reminds us that He truly is in control and that worry or fear (or both) will not add a single moment to our lives. I think about that verse when I am staying up late for the safe arrival home of a family member. Prayer works... worry doesn't.

Wisdom tells us to use some of today's resources to purchase what we feel is necessary should we have a financial setback (or just to have them at a lower price). Fear leads us to unnecessary spending just as much as greed or coveting can cause us to spend unwisely.

I pray we all recognize the difference and prepare for whatever may be down the road... with wisdom.