“ 25 Reasons to Thank God for the Recession” Reason #1&2
“ 25 Reasons to Thank God for the Recession”
By John Beehner, President of Wise Counsel
Have you ever noticed that human beings have to sometimes experience pain or even suffering from bad decisions in order to move forward and make changes? Isn’t that what God allowed for in the Garden of Eden as our first big mistake? Yet, without bad things happening, would we be able to recognize or appreciate good?
As analogies, the tragedy of crisis and wars and their painful impact has served to recharge our nation and seems to bring out the best in our people. The experiences World Wars I and II led to building a stronger economy through our manufacturing sector. In the 1960’s the pressure and urgency of the space race to get to the Moon, led to thousands of inventions that are used today in every day life. The Internet is one of the outcomes of the race for space. Is it possible, that 9/11 and the Iraq war will change the course of the world as part of the Master’s plan?
Yes, we can blame the recession on our naive government leaders and the greedy and deceiving bankers, brokers. and those who chase money for a living, They violated their own principles to line their own pocket books and look good to share holders. Bill Gates may have said it best… “Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.” These “smart” lenders discarded moral judgment, values, and integrity to chase profit for selfish gain. They forgot the golden rule.
Unfortunately, teaching Ethics in business, doesn’t work if its not heart felt, and about concern for our fellow man.
But nearly all of us got caught up in our “Economy on steroids,” so unfortunately we all have a price to pay. For many of us, we have course corrections to make through our painful diet, to survive and feel healthy again.
Here’s what the number one all time best selling book, the Bible, reminds us about negative experiences like recessions:
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Good overcomes evil. If we return to the values our founding fathers imbedded into our way of life through our culture and constitution, we will love our customers, employees and others back to good health. The deceiving pain of evil from greed and self worship can be overcome by loving kindness toward our fellow man.
John 16:33 Jesus said “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Alexis de Tocqueville, the French scientist who studied America in the 1800’s said, “America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” Henry Ford the legend of the auto industry said, “A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business.” Former Congresswoman Barbara Jordan said “What the people want is very simple — they want an America as good as its promise.”
Conrad Hilton, founder of the great hotel chain claimed that by trusting the Lord, prayer and leading by example, he was able to avoid bankruptcy in his early years of the business. If we live by faith and the peace of Jesus, He can calm the storm and the troubled waters of our businesses and personal lives.
2. Perseverance produces character from the inside out.
James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. If we quit too early, we may not realize the Lord’s full purpose in our business lives. Yet, failure can produce greater determination for those seeking to know their real calling. Everyone experiences pain, its how we handle it that counts. We have all seen the quote, “Success is never permanent but failure is never final.” The Lord knows the timing of our turnaround. R. H. Macy, founder of Macy’s department store chain in New York City, failed at 6 different businesses before he began what is known today, as a great retail empire.
