I've been on vacation the last week and a half with my wife, Judy.  We needed some breathing room, and we have been grateful to spend some time with family and friends away from the gas shortages and drought in Atlanta, our home.  We all probably feel like we need a vacation right now!

Just like you, I've spent more than my fair share of time watching the news and reading websites and papers as our economy, and the world's economy, has shuddered in the face of the credit crisis that is unfolding.  We've heard numbers so big that our heads spin - $85 billion to AIG, $700 billion bailout, $4.00 per gallon gasoline, and on an on.  

I hope you watched the Video Feed that I taped about economic uncertainty.  Perhaps it struck you as simplistic or perhaps it calmed your spinning fears.  I pray it did the latter.

You know, emotions are tricky.  They are God's gift to tell us when something is not OK in our world; they are His blessing to share with us His delight.  Fear is certainly valid right now, as is some amount of anger and a bit of helplessness.  Although they are part of our humanity, emotions can really cloud our perspective and our judgment and our decision making abilities.

How do we balance realism with hope?  How do we shush fear and take a proactive approach?  I believe the answer is twofold.  First of all, restore your faith.  The beauty of scripture is this:  when we meditate on His truths and let them settle around our emotions, those emotions fade and our faith in God's provision swells.  Take more time in God's word.  Let the Psalms in particular speak to your fears and to God's place as King and Savior.

Consider these verses:

Psalm 73:23 - 26 - NIV

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you?  And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Hebrews 13:5-6 - NIV

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  So, we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?"

Secondly, begin to choose.  Proactivity engenders confidence. Each person's financial situation is unique.  However, everyone can apply the same basic principles to their situation in order to take steps in the right direction.  The basic truths of managing your personal economy don't change:  spend less than you earn, avoid the use of debt, maintain liquidity, set long term goals, and realize that God owns it all.  I encourage you to begin at the beginning. What is the current state of your financial house?  Forget the globe or the country or the Congress or the gas lines for a few weeks and concentrate on your economy.  Are you following those guidelines?  If not, where do you need to begin?  

Take the opportunity to get a copy of a book I just wrote with my friend and co-author, Jeremy White.  It is called Faith Based Family Finances. For a limited time, you can get a free copy by signing up for our "Virtual Feedback Loop" on the get involved tab on the website.  I'd love for you to have a place to start with your own economy!  Also, you can access my answers to some common questions people have on the Sample Segment part of the homepage.  

Finally, stay tuned and stay connected.  My hope is that MasterYourMoney.com will be an encouragement and guiding light for you as you turn your heart to God's truth and turn your attention to your own finances during this confusing and uncertain time.

Blessings,

Ron