Our friend Phil Cooke has just published an article on his site entitled, “How Confidence Can Change Everything in this Economy.” He points out what economist Ben Stein (yes, he is much more than the teacher from Ferris Bueller) has said that many in our media and government seem to want to forget, that our financial system isn’t built on printing money or regulation, it’s built on confidence.
It’s a perception issue. When investors feel confidence in the market, it soars.
Of all people, Christians should be the most confident, because even in the worst circumstances, our hope isn’t in money.
Take a moment to check out Phil’s article here, then become an example of encouragement and TRUE hope in this time of economic distress.
As a member of the unemployed for the last few months, I know the exact progression on my confidence.
What I was surprised to discover was that my confidence was in the wrong things: I thought that a job would come soon to alleviate bills. Health insurance wouldn’t increase. The washer would continue to function.
When these things (and others) went wrong, it shook my confidence. What I found was the driving need to focus on the present; not on confidence of what would (or would not) happen in the future.
For me I discovered a Creator who wants us to be intently addressing the people around us with 100% of our attention. Suddenly that verse about “Don’t worry about tomorrow” became more than a mental mantra.
I found hope in the smallest of miracles that I had overlooked when I was secure and planning each day before it even dawned.
So I agree, that as Christians, our hope is in His care. But for me that doesn’t mean spending money or expecting anything from the economy. It means being His hands and feet to other people. Today. Right now.
Absolutely, Barb. Very good point.