Struggling in a Tough Economy? | 7 Reasons to Walk by Faith

People Are Hurting 

A lot of people are struggling right now in their finances, including Christians. With the United States' national unemployment figures hovering around 10%, home foreclosures rising at an alarming rate, and growing concerns of future inflation, many are beginning to wonder if our economic climate will ever improve. Right now, we don't know what the future holds. Economists can make predictions as to when our country will begin to come out of its current economic turmoil, but no one truly knows, except, of course, God Almighty.

Maybe, today, you are struggling through a recent job loss, reduction in income, or a home foreclosure. You have a real financial mess on your hands, and you can't see any light at the end of the tunnel. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you have a hope that the world doesn't have. The God of the Universe wants to walk with you and help you through your time of difficulty. He wants you to grow in your faith in your walk with Christ.

7 Reasons to Walk by Faith in a Tough Economy 

1. Because God is our Father. In Matthew 7:9-11, Jesus preached in the Sermon on the Mount, "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" If you're a dad, you can truly understand and appreciate this passage. As the father of two young daughters, I want the very best for my girls. I enjoy seeing the joy on their faces when they receive something special from me. Does this mean that I spoil them? No, not necessarily. Sometimes, I make them earn what they desire through hard work. Sometimes, I meet them halfway. And then, sometimes I just give to them out of love. Our Heavenly Father loves us way more than an earthly father could ever love his children. Because of God's love for you, you can rest in His love during turbulent times.
2. God owns everything! In Psalm 50:10-12 we read, "for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it." If you are a Christian, you have a really rich Dad! God has every resource in the universe available to Him, and He can spare no expense in providing for you. As a Christ follower, you have been adopted into God's family. You are a joint heir with Christ (Romans 8:15-16). You can find peace and strength in God's wealth. 
3. He has promised to take care of our needs. Because God is our Father and owns everything to begin with, He is more than willing and able to take care of our every need. "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?" (Matthew 6:25-26). 
4. Fear paralyzes. Faith energizes. In Matthew 21:21-22, Jesus told His disciples, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." During times of difficulty, walking in fear is not going to accomplish one thing. Fear paralyzes. It stops us from taking action, from moving forward. Praying in faith, though, causes things to happen. We can move forward in our life. We can take action, because we are now motivated by our faith and no longer stopped by fear. 
5. God works for our good. In Romans 8:28 we read, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." It may be difficult to see right now, but God has a plan, a purpose for your struggle. The only way we can truly grow in our faith is to rely on God through difficult times. He has promised to help us through it all if we will walk out in faith. 
6. Our time on earth is short. James 4:13-15 states, "Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'" Even though times our tough in our nation's economy right now, at some point "this too shall pass." Our financial health will improve and life will go on. At the end of the day, though, our time here on this earth is very brief in light of eternity. Don't allow yourself to get bogged down with the cares of this world. 
7. Heaven is our final destination. 2 Peter 3:10-13 states, "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." For the Christian, heaven is our eternal home. We should never lose sight of this important fact. One day, we are all going to die and pass from this life to the next. God's stable, wealthy economy is waiting for us in glory. 

Conclusion 

I don't know where you are today in your financial situation. Perhaps you are struggling and you can't see any end to your current money problems. If you are a follower of Christ, you must lean on Him during times of difficulty. You can rest in the promises from His Word that as His child, He loves you and will take care of your needs as you walk in faith, trusting in Him.