"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35
A recession is a significant decline in general economic activity that extends over a period of time, usually two consecutive quarters. The US economy faces recessions almost every 10 years but they do not last long. Signs of recessions include: an above the norm increase in the unemployment rate, two consecutive quarters of declining GDP, less business activities that last at least three months, personal income decline, and increase in the prices of consumer goods. If not dealt with, a recession can turn into a depression. To protect yourself from financial failure during an economic recession you must minimize your spending, increase your saving, remain consistent in your giving, pray without ceasing, and stay in the Word of God. Though Christians are not immune to economic recessions, we have a competitive advantage since we can tap into the supernatural.
Worse than a natural recession though, is a spiritual recession. A spiritual recession is a significant decline in spiritual activities over a period of time. The fruit of this recession is often anxiety, fear and doubt. Like the economic recession, if not dealt with, a spiritual recession can turn into a depression. A spiritual depression is a spiritual and mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a loss of hope. Avoid a spiritual depression at all cost. To avoid it, you must make sure you do not get into a spiritual recession; if you do, you must deal with it as soon as possible. The signs of a spiritual recession are: decline in your devotional life and prayer, decrease in your giving and church involvement, and a longing to isolate yourself from other believers. How do you have a recession-proof life? If you live a spiritual recession-proof life, you will not have to worry about the economic recession because you will either be immune to it or prepared to handle it.
Here are 7 things to do to live a recession-proof life:
Stay in the Word
The Word of God will give you hope, wisdom, clarity, and insight to deal with every situation that you face in every aspect of your life. Maintain a daily devotion that is designed to get the Word of God into your spirit. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
Pray without ceasing
Prayer is direct communication to the throne room of God to make petitions and requests and give thanks for all He has done and is doing in our lives. It is essential because it enables us to address current problems and future problems before they occur. Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:17-18
Take care of your family
You may say, "What does taking care of my family have to do with living a recession-proof life?" Well, the reality is, if God views you as worse than an unbeliever you will not be in favor with Him. If you are not in favor with God then you are in trouble. Also at the end of the day, the only people who will be there for you through thick and thin are members of your family. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. I Timothy 5:8
Do not forsake assembling with other believers
It is amazing how the devil uses isolation as a strategy to trap and manipulate believers and bring confusion into their lives. No matter how you feel, never isolate yourself from others; stay committed to a local assembly and to a network of other believers with like minds and common interests. Human beings are relational beings. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
Exercise and eat healthy
Most believers get so focused on eternal things that they forget they live in a physical body. Some even believe that exercise and maintaining a proper diet is not an important spiritual activity. Scripture puts a greater emphasis on spiritual virtues such as the fruit of the Spirit than it does on our bodies, but it recognizes the importance of taking care of our bodies through exercise and proper diet. The lack of exercise and maintaining a proper diet will lead to physical and mental health issues which will contribute to a spiritual recession. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. I Timothy 4:8
Know the state of your resources
Nothing can bring us into a spiritual recession like finances. Some people are so heavenly minded that they have become no earthly good. You need finances to handle most things here on the earth. Finances are as critical to your participation in the daily economy as blood is to your body. The lack of finances can bring you into a spiritual recession. Take proper control over your finances and become the steward God intends you to become. Do not ignore this area. Do not think that as long as you are praying and reading your Bible it will take care of itself. God has given you a mind, use it. Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. Proverbs 27:23-24
Count the cost and finish
Believe it or not, unfinished projects and activities are a great cause of recessions. You were created to fulfill your vows, you were created to maintain integrity, you were created to finish, and you were created in the image and likeness of God. Just as God cannot ignore unfinished projects without violating who He is, neither can you. Many people fall into recessions because they are overwhelmed by the amount of unfinished projects and activities that require their attention. To avoid this, you must count the cost. Make sure that before you commit yourself to anything, you have enough spiritual and physical resources to finish it. "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' " Luke 14:28-30
Copyright © 2009 Patrice Tsague ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
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