When Fear Abounds...

As if you didn't know, we are living in different times. Times are tough. Jobs are being lost daily. Stock portfolios are shrinking. House values are dropping. Fear abounds. Yet...through it all, God is in control!

A passage that has really captured my attention recently is found in Isaiah 26:3-4:

You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.

I don't know about you, but those words are very comforting to me. I need to continually be reciting this and I have been the past couple of days.

My good friend Ray Hilbert, founder of Truth At Work had some great things to say on this topic in his most recent post including the following:

Fear Grips our heart and produces 6 Effects:

Fear Replaces faith
Fear Destroys dreams
Fear steals our joy and blessing
Fear spoils victories
Fear paralyzes us
Fear robs us of memories
Fear causes us to hesitate because of disbelief

The opposite of fear is faith, trust, and belief.

Check out the rest of this excellent post here.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Peace

I have heard nothing but negative reports about our economy, even from optimists. These are indeed very scary times for many. I recently read an old email I received with some advice for us during the Christmas season that I thought would apply to us now. I have slightly modified this short article from Justin Pinkerman:

For managers concerned about Wall Street to soldiers patrolling the streets of Baghdad, peace would be a welcome visitor around here now. Economic reports showed a loss of 550,000 jobs in November alone. Literally millions of Americans are suffering from layoffs, salary reductions, and a depressed housing market. Thousands more are spending this winter stationed in the mountain ranges of Afghanistan or deserts of Iraq to protect America.

As leaders, we have the tremendous opportunity to be heralds of peace to our families, friends, and colleagues during this season. However, we won't convincingly deliver a message of peace if we're inwardly ruled by fear. Here are four ways to find peace during these turbulent times:

Let In...
The loved ones in your life. Laugh together, cry together, share stories from the year. Take joy in being with the friends and family who care about you most. Now is not the time to barricade yourself in the office to plan for the coming months. Pause, reflect, and be reminded of what matters most on this earth - relationships.

Reach Out...
To those in need. Brooding on our problems sinks us into the ugly muck of self-pity. To counteract self-pity, take intentional steps to bless another person in need. Donate toys or food to a local shelter. Visit a shut-in or take flowers to a nearby nursing home.

Strangely enough, you may find that being generous pulls you out of the dreariness of your circumstances. Focusing on another person's world takes your mind off of whatever may be wrong in your own. Giving our time and resources helps us to regain perspective on the most meaningful pursuit in life - blessing others.

Work Out...
Your body to counteract the nasty habit of overeating. Don't compound your problems by adding pounds to your waistline. We have enough to fret about without worrying about being overweight.

Toning the body heartens the spirit. Our bodies are holistic - not compartmentalized. Staying in shape (or improving our shape) adds to our self-confidence and strengthens our resolve to deal with the challenges around us.

Look Up...
To heaven. If you're a follower of Christ, make time to draw from the reservoir of comfort that can be found in Him. Spend time in prayer, and partake of the hope offered through Jesus.

The Treasure Principle

For most of my life I felt that financial security was the way to find true peace. That is the way I was raised and that is what I firmly believed. It wasn't until four or five years ago that God took me through a desert experience of sorts that showed me that my one real source of peace is in my Father in heaven.

Obviously, right now is a pretty turbulent economic time. Many are very concerned about the value of their retirement accounts and their portfolios.

I am in the process of reading an excellent book which is helping me even more to put money in the proper perspective, The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn. Last night I read an interesting thought regarding the power and value of giving.

Alcorn said in the book to pretend you are a visitor to this country from France and you will be here three months. During that time, you can earn money but the only thing you can't do is bring it home with you (or any of your possessions). However, you can send it ahead of you to your home in France for it to be waiting for you. What would you do?

You more than likely would send as much to your home in France as possible.

Well, that is exactly what giving is for us now. The Bible tells us we are visitors to this planet from our home in heaven. When we hold loosely that which has been entrusted to us and we give, we are in essence sending our treasures ahead of us to our heavenly home.

Any thoughts on this?

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:19-21

Script Ohio

You can't turn on the TV or pick up a newspaper without being bombarded with negative news these days. I thought I would take a moment during these tough economic times to share something really cool (maybe as a distraction to all the negativity!).

I am very fortunate to be able to attend several Ohio State games each year. This past Saturday Connie and I went to the game with two good friends of ours and we had a blast.

I just stumbled across this video of OSU's band performing Script Ohio before the game Saturday. Check it out and enjoy: click here to see video.

Go Bucks!