This Recession is Changing Me
on Mar 12 in Everyday Life, Faith, TMIThe current financial downturn is reshaping my heart. For the better. Here’s what’s going on inside me…
I’M TRUSTING GOD MORE – At the most basic heart level, I have no other choice but to trust that God will prove Himself to be my Sustainer, my Provider. For small businesses, this is a really scary time. And I admit that my fear is forcing me to trust Him more.
I’M LESS ARROGANT – Unfortunately, we launched Floodgate Productions during a financially prosperous season (2006). We experienced quick and easy success. And even though it pains me to admit it, I think the success of Floodgate went to my head. And you already know this truth – there’s nothing like a recession to remind us that the only One who deserves any glory is Jesus.
I’M DESPERATE – I think that’s just a good place to be in. I pray I can stay desperate, without making stupid desperate decisions that normally accompany seasons like this.
I’M REACQUAINTED WITH MY CORE IDENTITY – Now more than ever, any label I’ve applied to myself in the past could disappear overnight. And I live in complete awareness of this potential. Teacher, entrepreneur, leader, artist, creator – all function great as titles, but are completely impotent when called upon to serve as my core identity. I am a child of God. Period. That’s the only identity that can never change. Ever.
I’M LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME – I’m someone who enjoys longer-term planning, and feels comforted when all my ducks are in a row. But as my friend Jason wrote recently,
God isn’t interested in MY ducks or MY rows. He wants me to walk…one step at a time…
I’M DRAWN TO THE POOR – During financially prosperous times, I think we actually neglect the poor more than we do during financially difficult times. I have absolutely no data to prove this. I find my heart leaning hard in the direction of the Third World during these times. There’s probably a direct correlation with being desperate, and loving the least of these.
I need to be really clear on this. I’m not saying that God caused the banks to screw tons of people out of their inheritances. Not a chance. God has a term for that – injustice. And He’s not looking the other way.
I’m simply saying that, as a result of this very difficult recession, God has my attention.
And (I think) I’m listening.
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Thanks for writing this. I actually went thru a tough time financially/spiritually in 2006 when everything was going well and through that I became a better person and had become a lot better with my money. Now it's strange seeing the rest of the country kinda get to where I was 4 years ago.
Josh – Thanks for sharing this part of your story. God definitely has a way shaping us through financially difficult times.
I find your being drawn to the poor comment interesting. As you know Paul and I are the poor, well at least we were until God blessed us with social security disability. Unfortunately we had been in that condition for about 4 years before God gave us this tremendous blessing. Understand, when I say poor I mean by American standards, not anywhere near the people you will be serving. Anyway, I noticed a drastic decrease in what people were offering financially, but a huge increase in what people were doing for us, the practical help rather than the writing of a check.
My thought is that people sometimes give money out of a sense of duty, they "should" so this. But when the financial trials hit they give what they have, themselves, and this comes from God sensitizing their hearts.
I can testify how much He has shaped my heart through the trials Paul and I have gone through.
Kim – I think that's a great distinction you're making – between giving money and giving ourselves. Thanks for posting.
You know our finacial hard times are always the greatest opportunities for growth in our marriage, friendships, family, and relationship with God..We , personally, need to be humbled quite regularly God feels. And he's always right..we do..Interesting how he uses financial struggles to strengthen our relationships, character, and faith..It definitely hurts and causes anxiety everytime..But I think that's ok, if we grow through the process.