Submitted by NY.
I was listening to various financial commentators and it has been concluded that America is going to go from _America - who has the biggest Dream House and Car to America - who can save the most money and survive this financial crisis. There seems to be a DOOM AND GLOOM attitude. But honestly, that doesn't move me one bit and I'll tell you why.
Who am I? I am your average "JOE THE PLUMBER" person who has aways sought the American Dream. I learned that if I want peace and joy in my life, I have to put my Christ driven walk with God 1st especially in the time of crises. I learned from the bible that if we seek the Kingdom of God first -- all shall be added. Yes -- this is in the Bible (Mathew 6:33). I also found another of God's principals -God will supply all my needs according to his riches and glory (Philippians 4:19). Well, I combined these 2 principals and started meditating on them, started researching what seeking God 1st really meant, how faith and belief played a big role in these principals and how I had to really trust in God and not in myself in order for these principals to work.
When I was learning these principals === I was in process of loosing everything that I worked very hard for. It was very terrifying financially, my business was barely making it, I was in debt and I barely made ends meet. During this time, I broke down and cried unto the Lord. I finally knelt down, humbled myself and had a true heart to heart with God. I was in the verge of loosing everything. I thought I was doing everything right at least in my eyes. I went to church, prayed, didn't read the word much but started to etc.
In my spiritual search, I questioned God ,his protection, guidance and direction in my life. When I was comfortable financially, my family was doing well, I had some money in the bank etc.--- it's easy to say --- I BELIEVE GOD AND HIS PROMISES. It's easy to say GOD IS IN CONTROL in a comfortable situation. Well, I discovered that when I had the rug pulled from under me -- it was becoming hard to say anything. I cried like a baby at first, questioned everything. A shadow of FEAR hovered over me. BUT I ran to my prayer closet. Yes, literally. I knelt in prayer and started digging into the word. Every verse I could find that reminded me that God is bigger than my situation. That FEAR is FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL. That if I truly trust in God, I would be victorious. This was the 1st time in my life that I really read the bible to seek understanding. This was the 1st time that I really prayed for answers.
Well, I started finding out that in God's Kingdom -- you must do the opposite of what you are taught to do in the natural. Yes, --- Don't Worry (despite what I see, God will take care of me ??? hunh?) - know that God is in control - This was hard but I wrote down several verses and reminded myself daily and repeatedly. Love and bless your enemy (very hard). Yes, give out of your lack (hello?), I started giving things away (Sowing and reaping - where's the harvest?) I tithed from the few dollars I had and found - Yes, tithing is biblical. I even closed my sinking business on Sundays (My sabath) - which took a whole lot of FAITH.
Well, within a few weeks --- I discovered that I was making as much money in 6 days that I was making in 7. That baffled me. This usually isn't common being that the type of business I had required me to be opened 7 days a week. Somehow I was making ends meet for my business -- Now until this day, I still can't figure out how - since the numbers didn't add up. My wife had an opportunity to get a job outside the business so we were able to pay our mortgage, I could buy juice, milk and meat - which we gave up for several months. I started making $200.00 a month verses 0$ for about 5 months. At a point I felt an urgency to sell. I asked God that if it was his will, he blessed me with selling my business quickly --- The average business was selling in 9 months to a year or longer. I wanted a miracle. So I fasted 1 day and left it in his hands --- well - in 3 weeks I had a buyer (who paid what I asked for -- hello???) and in six weeks I was out - I paid my debt and had a little extra money to take 3 months off. In 3 months, I was blessed with a prospering business, my wife has a wonderful job and 4 years later we have become debt free. No mortgage payment - no car payments - no credit card payments etc. I owe it all to God's grace.
After my experience, I found it an honor to go through that roller coaster ride I went through because it actually bought me closer to God and I can honestly say that I will serve him in abundance and I will serve him in lack. I was allowed to see his mercy and hand after the fact. When you are going through it, it's hard to figure out how things will end up -- but when you see the end result - it becomes clear how God has his hand in it.
My advise to you in this time of economic crises is cling on to God more, trust him more and do the opposite of what you have been taught to do in times of calamity and put God 1st. His word is TRUTH and those principals should kick in just like they did for me.
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