Economic storms blow up quickly, accelerated in these times of exponential change. Economic downturns are a fact of life; it’s improbable that anyone will live more than 25 years without encountering serious economic stress.
Economic downturns ruthlessly expose any and all weaknesses in any economy. Any financial high wire acts are likely to be exposed whether at home or in the board room.Those are the hard-hearted facts.
May we offer some light-hearted suggestions?
HUDDLE
The movie “March of the Penguins” comes to mind. When families are faced with danger they cling to each other. Your family might be relatives, church family, or other acquaintances. It can be embarrassing to find yourself in financial straits, but understand that anyone can find themselves in similar predicaments. Denying your condition will only deepen your financial crisis.
SNUGGLE
Look for others who can be attentive to your emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Don’t minimize the impact of those needs. Find others in similar difficulty. Cling to each other for support. Worship regularly. Arrange the time for Bible study. Understand God’s interest in your plight.
GRAPPLE
Grapple with the holes in your financial practices, your world view, your core values, that may have contributed to your vulnerability in this economic crisis. There will be more of those in the future. Will you have learned valuable lessons from this one?
JUGGLE
Look for creative ways of getting through this downturn. Minimize financial damage by restructuring debt. If you can’t make a payment, show up in your creditor’s office. Creditors are less willing to make concessions when you hide. Rearrange debt to whatever extent possible in collaboration with your creditors.
STRUGGLE
“Tough times never last, but tough people do.” That’s an expression of a popular TV preacher. It’s real. You can test it. A strong will bolstered by your faith will see you through. You’ll be stronger when this is over.
JW
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