The following is a guest post by Lynnae of Being Frugal.net, a blog about frugality and getting out of debt. If you enjoy this post, consider subscribing to Being Frugal.net via RSS or email.
We’re living in tough times these days. The news pundits are using the word “recession” freely. Even John McCain said it. The prices of milk, eggs, and gasoline are skyrocketing. And the latest news is that Costco and Sam’s Club are rationing rice, because there may be a rice shortage.
With all the bad news, it’s easy to panic. Will we be able to afford life’s necessities? Is my job secure? Is my home’s value going to tank?
As Christians, though, we are not to worry. One of my favorite passages of scripture is Matthew 6:25-27.
“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?
There are some things in life that are beyond our control. We can do what we can to prepare. If you feel your job is in jeopardy, start saving money for an emergency fund. If your budget is tight, pay off your debt, so you can free up some money for your monthly budget. Being prepared is important. But sometimes there isn’t time to prepare.
Last year my husband lost his job twice. We were somewhat prepared for the first job loss. We had an emergency fund. By the second time he lost his job, we had used most of our emergency fund. Then thanks to an accountant’s error, we ended up owing over $5000 in taxes this month. With all those financial hits in succession, there just wasn’t time to prepare.
Still, the Lord tells us not to worry. He’s got it under control, even if we don’t, which seems to be most of the time in my life. Sometimes the road isn’t easy. God never promised that it would be. But God does promise to provide for our needs. Food. Shelter. Clothing.
I can testify that we have never gone without life’s necessities, despite being in dire financial straits many, many times. And through our recent trials, even though on paper it didn’t look like we were going to make it, somehow we kept bringing in enough money to cover our emergencies.
Today, if you’re worried about what the future holds, remember that God will never leave you nor forsake you. When times are tough, He is there. When it seems you’re alone, He is there. You may not see it now, but when you’re through this storm, you’ll be able to look back and marvel at His provision.
Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve witnessed God’s miraculous provision?
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