|
A recession is a significant decline in general economic activity that extends over a period of time, usually two consecutive quarters. The United States economy faces a recession almost every 10 years but they tend to not last long. The signs of a recession include an increase in employment rate above the norm, two consecutive quarters of declining GDP, fewer business activities that last at least three months, personal income decline, and a hike in 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 savings, remain consistent in your giving, pray without ceasing, and stay in the Word of God. Christians are not immune to economic recessions, but we have a competitive advantage since we can tap into the supernatural.
Worse than an economic 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 an economic recession, if not dealt with, it can turn into a depression.
Spiritual depression is a spiritual and mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a loss of hope. You want to avoid a spiritual depression at all costs. 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 a decline in your devotional life and prayer, a decrease in your giving and church involvement, and a longing to isolate yourself from other fellow believers.
How do you recession proof your life? If you are able to live a spiritual recession proof life, then you will not have to worry about an economic recession because on top of being immune to it, you will also be prepared to handle it.
Here are 7 things to do to live a recession proof life:
1. Stay in the Word
The Word of God will give you hope, wisdom, clarity, and insight on how to deal with every situation that you may face in every aspect of your life. Maintain a daily devotion that is designed to get the Word of God into your spirit.
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." - Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)
2. Pray without ceasing
Prayer is a 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 even future problems before they even occur.
"Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (NKJV)
3. Take care of your family
You may say what does taking care of my family has to do with living a recession proof life. Well, the reality is if God views you as worst than an unbeliever, then you will not be in favor with Him. If you are not in God’s favor, then you are in trouble. Also at the end of the day, the only ones who will be there for you through thick and thin are members of your family.
"But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." - 1 Timothy 5:8 (NKJV)
4. 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 or a network of other believers with like minds and common interests. Human beings are relational beings.
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:25 (NKJV)
5. Exercise and eat healthy
Most believers get so focused on eternal things that they forget that they live in a physical body. Some even believe that exercise and maintaining a proper diet are not as important as spiritual activities. The Scriptures do put a greater emphasis on spiritual virtues such as the fruit of the spirit than on our body, but it does recognize the importance of taking care of 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 profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come." - 1 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV)
6. Know the state of your resources
Nothing can bring us quicker into spiritual recession than the lack of finances. Some people are so heavenly-minded that they completely neglect their earthly lives to a fault. Like it or not, you need finances to handle most things here on the earth as it is as critical for your participation in the daily economy as blood is to your body. The lack of it will ultimately lead to spiritual recession. Take proper control over your finances and become the steward that God intends you to be. Do not ignore this area and think that as long as you are praying and reading your Bible, it will take care of itself. Use the mind that God has given you.
"Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds; For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown endure to all generations." - Proverb 27:23-24 (NKJV)
7. 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; you were created in the image and likeness of God. Just as God can not 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 learn to count the cost. Make sure that before you commit yourself to anything, consider if you have enough spiritual and physical resources to finish.
"‘For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?’" - Luke 14:28-30 (NKJV)
Whether or not you are currently facing a spiritual recession, take some time to review the seven points above and make sure you take preventive measures to ensure that you maintain your gains.
My prayer for you is that God will give you the grace to recession proof your life and the wisdom to thrive no matter the economic situation.
|
