From Compass International Inc.
Good Golly Miss Molly! Look up not down!
You are evaluating success or failure based on financial circumstances. But monetary success should not be your barometer. Rather, the Word of God should be your measuring stick. Four years ago your life wasn’t “successful.” You were deceived into thinking a high-paying job was the key to happiness and fulfillment, and you should thank the Lord He is now allowing you to see that deception.
1 Timothy 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
Psalm 62:10b . . . If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.
Your focus should be on the eternal, not the temporal. The material things of this world are temporary.
Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
You have been blessed with many eternal blessings, like children, that many people do not have. You also have the blessing of $350 week in unemployment insurance payments. Good grief, to 95% of the people in the world that would be a huge income!
We think you should quit looking at the waves around you and get your eyes on Jesus. You have a great opportunity for your family to see how you fully trust the Lord to provide for you. Do you REALLY trust God to take care of you? Are you trusting that He is in control and will use your circumstances for GOOD? (Romans 8:28) Paul said he went hungry and suffered need. Would you consider Paul a failure?
Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
You’re not going to starve . . .
Psalm 37:25 I have been young, and now I am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Or his descendants begging bread.
God also puts zero emphasis on having a big income.
1 Timothy 6:8 And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
Success that stands the test of time is not the accumulation of toys or money in the bank. God allows some to be rich and some to be poor — it’s His call. You are only to respond trustingly to any and every circumstance God allows in your life, knowing He is in total control. Therefore success is being used by God. On Judgment Day, Christians will be judged on faith, what they allowed God to do through them. You have tremendous opportunity to trust God despite your seemingly dire circumstances, showing your family and friends that you believe He is trustworthy. That kind of testimony would be worth far more than rubies. And it doesn’t require your having a big house or big income.
Put God first and foremost in every decision, but He is faithful when we are not.
2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself.
Many a man has lamented on his death bed that he wished he would have spent more time with family and less at work. While you are not working, why not use the time wisely as a family opportunity? Your kids need to see your standing on the Word more than money.
You simply have to take life one day at a time, trusting that the Lord is working all this out in your life for good and on His timetable. Your prayer should be that you will be in God’s will with all your decisions, desiring to be used by Him to reflect His glory.
