The Economy Got You Down?         

Is there an epidemic of people wallowing in “self pity” because of their perceived circumstances? When you approach a potential client are they telling you they have cut their budget? They have suspended staff development training?  They don't see any value? They are scared they may not survive? Or is it a tape which is playing in your head? I can’t approach this business, they’ve cut employees. I can’t approach this group they have been in a cash flow down turn for the past two years. How am I going to make a living? God, am I doing the right thing? My purpose today is to offer you 3 Tips to jump past this hurdle.

Tip #1:  You are History in the making

History has taught us and financial analyst know the cyclical nature of the economy.  As a “Spiritreneur”** you to must capitalize on; prudent decision making, utilizing your imagination and becoming focused and committed to doing whatever it takes to accomplish your mission.  In his book, Keys to Success: The 17 Principles of Personal Achievement, by Napoleon Hill, which was written during the depression, he writes, “There is no scarcity of opportunity.  There is only a shortage of imagination.  Countless people gain new wealth every year whether the economy is prospering or ailing.  The only limits they recognize are those within their own minds.  Offering a useful good or service is just as valuable now as it ever was, and new areas in which to do so open up every day.    If you lose yourself in an obsessional desire to make yourself useful to others, you will find yourself through the recognition of the good you are doing.”

Tip #2:  Recognize the “Hazard Zone”

I know in my gut that in times of economic uncertainty God’s hand is at work.  I recently conducted a path workshop at church and spent time discussing with the participants “The Hazard Zone” from the Path Book, pages 169-196.  This isn’t a part of the regular path presentation, but God put on my heart the importance of being aware of these in order to stay balanced and moving towards the fulfillment of mission & vision.  So remember when you encounter, feelings of inadequacy, accusations of others, small-mindedness of others, distraction, impatience, compromise, apathy, and pride, recognize it for what it is, a big fat “pothole”.  And when you are in a pothole which is above your head and you see no way out, think of the frog below;

The Power of Words

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit.  All the other frogs gathered around the pit.  When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead.

The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their might.  The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead.  Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up.  He fell down and died.

The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could.  Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die.  He jumped even harder and finally made it out.  When he got out, the other frogs said, “Did you not hear us?”  The frog explained to them that he was deaf.  He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

This story has potential for many lessons.  I bring it to you today to be conscious of next time you are faced with an “enormous pothole” you must become deaf to the world, look up to your creator, keep jumping and know that He will pull you out.

Tip #3:  Crave Doubt

My pastor preached about doubt being a good servant, but a very poor master.  He stated, “Doubt is like looking out there for the light.  Unbelief is content to be in the darkness.  Doubt is very much a part of your faith journey.  Doubt is a great servant to you.  Doubt causes you to not believe everything a pastor just said.  Not to believe everything you hear on the radio and the news.  Doubt causes you to investigate, to walk towards the light and to try to figure things out.”  CS Lewis states, “If ours is an examined faith we should be unafraid to doubt.  If doubt is evidently justified then we where believing, but if doubt is answered our faith has grown stronger, it knows God more certainly and can enjoy God more deeply.”  I know that doubt is something which serves me.  It helps me reach up to my Creator and stay the course. 

As you walk your talk daily, remember you are in the process of creating your history, stay deaf to the frogs and use doubt as a way to check in with God as you pursue your highest calling. 

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11