Recession-Proof Living

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” − Romans 8:35

Did you know that almost every 10 years the U.S. economy faces a recession? How often do you go through a spiritual recession? How do you recession-proof your life?

A recession is a significant decline in general economic activity extending over a period of time, usually two consecutive quarters. The U.S. economy faces a recession almost every 10 years but they do not last long. The signs of a recession include: increase in unemployment rate above the norm, two consecutive quarters of declining GDP, fewer business activities that last at least three months, decline in personal income, and increase 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. Though Christians are not immune to economic recessions, we have a competitive advantage since we can tap into the supernatural.

Worse than a natural 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 the 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 cost. 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: decline in your devotional life and prayer, decrease in your giving and church involvement, and a longing to isolate yourself from other 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 the economic recession because you will be immune from it or 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.“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” – Joshua 1:8
2. Pray without ceasing
   Prayer is a direct communication to the throne room of God to make petitions, 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 future problems before they even occur.Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
3. Take care of your family
   You may ask, “What does taking care of my family have to do with living a recession-proof life?” Well, the reality is if God views you as worse than an unbeliever, then you will not be in favor with Him. If you are not in favor with God 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.“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” – 1 Timothy 5:8
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, and to a network of other believers with like minds and common interests. Human beings are relational beings.“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25
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 is not an important spiritual activity. Scripture does put a greater emphasis on spiritual virtues such as the fruit of the spirit than our bodies but it does recognize the importance of taking care of our 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
6. Know the state of your resources
   Nothing can bring us into a spiritual recession like finances. Some people are so heavenly-minded that they have become no earthly good. You need finances to handle most things here on the earth, it is as critical for your participation in the daily economy as blood is to your body. The lack of it can bring us into a spiritual recession. Take proper control over your finances, 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. God has given you a mind use it.“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.” – Proverbs 27:23-24
7. Count the cost and finish
   Believe it or not but 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 requiring their attention. To avoid this you must count the cost. Make sure that before you commit yourself to anything, consider if you have enough spiritual and physical resources to finish.“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’” – Luke 14:28-30

Whether you currently face a spiritual recession or not, review these points and make sure you are preventive to ensure that you maintain your gains. My prayer for you this week is that God will give you the grace to recession-proof your life so you may thrive in all areas for His glory.