Are we going to be ok?

I talk to a lot of people that are very concerned about, well, everything. More and more people are unemployed, and if they are working they can't afford the bills. The price of everything keeps going up and up and up. We see many businesses closing and going under because they can't make the profits they need, to stay in business. We're talking about government bailouts for the banks and automakers. Can we as a nation afford all that? Can we afford not to? These are the concerns and issues we face today. We saw gasoline at $4 a gallon just a few months ago and now that it's gone down, it's beginning to climb back up and who knows how far? Everyone's electric bill here in TN went up 30-40% this last month and it's expected to go up even more in the future. many people need loans but can't get them anymore. Instead of the kids moving out and living on their own, they just can't afford to anymore. I'll have a conversation with someone and they'll tell me, "My daughter moved back home this week, she just can't afford to live on her own anymore." I had a customer in my store this week looking for work. He's run his own Company in the past and he has several degrees but what he needs more than anything right now... is a job. Can I hire him? he asks. This is not uncommon... people are getting desperate, they are looking for help, you can see the fear in their eyes. It's like time is running out and they simply do not know what to do next. It's scary for a lot of people right now.

I ask the question again... are we going to be ok?

I can't begin to anticipate how all this will turn out, but I can assure you of one thing. God is with us. In the times when it may not seem so, He's still there. We often base our feelings about God's presence in our lives as we go through experiences. "Thank you God for all the blessings" we'll say, but when things go crazy and things happen like they have been we can fall into the trap of wondering where is God in all of this. Especially if you are one of the affected ones. One of the people facing no more income and a family looking at you with fear wondering... "What do we do now, Mom?" "What do we do now, Dad." It's hard to see God then. The feelings of abandonment can consume us as we feel alone in the world. But know this... God is still there. It's difficult not to want to blame God for our circumstances. But we must be careful not to assume God is great when things are great, and God is cold when things are bad. God is the same for us in the good time and the bad times. God is always there for us and He's aware of what we're going through. It's during these times of trials and uncertainty that we need to come closer to God and ask for his help. Plead for guidance and direction in our lives. Ask God as to where to step next. It's times like these where we must trust in God to provide for our needs. Many of us will learn to live off less, many of us will learn to live without. Many of us will learn to lean on God for strength during our trials. But this time, these difficult times, will be survived. Just as all the other times in history, God has always been there and He's still here today to carry us through.
Meditate on these promises from God's word:

1 Peter 5:7
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Hebrew 13:5
Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you."

May God's blessings be upon you and your family. Cast all your worries and cares upon Him and allow the warmth of his grace to heal you and comfort you as only he can in these trying times. God is still there... reach out and see if he won't lift you up.