Change is certain.  This economy reflects it!  Before I left for vacation, there were gas lines in Atlanta and gas was over $4 per gallon.  Just two weeks later, I returned to find gas in great supply and prices under $3 per gallon.  That’s some fast change!

Just a few years ago, the SUV was the car to buy – more space for your kids and more space for the dog and more umph for the road warrior.  Today, hybrid cars with precious little space are premium sellers.  In today’s economy, we’re viewing our decisions through a different set of lenses.  

Many people are wondering if we need to change our “market lenses” as well.  Should I sell my stock?  Has the market become outdated like my SUV?  Is there a more streamlined, fuel-efficient use for my money?

Economic change is also certain.  Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is “nothing new under the sun” (1:9)  As a financial advisor, I don’t believe in planning for extremes.  If I did plan for extremes, I would spend all of my time stockpiling and hoarding and most likely miss the joy of living.  Most likely, the sky would never fall in my lifetime, and I would have given my family and friends an example of fear rather than an example of faith merged with careful planning.

Speaking of careful planning, what is your investment strategy?  Do you save some each month so that dollar cost averaging works for you?  Do you diversify so that you cut down on risk?  Have you worked backwards in your planning by deciding how much you need at retirement and saving toward that end?  These are the real questions that apply to your relationship with the market.  Very few people who are invested in the market for the long term would need to react to the current market downturn by selling.  In fact, many people would be wise to invest in the market right now, since you can certainly get more for your money now than you could a year ago. 

What is your strategy?  Do you have one in place?  Have you prayerfully considered it and agreed to it with your spouse?  If so, rest assured that staying the course and following your long-term strategy is the best way to weather this economic storm.

Where is your faith?  Do you take time to acknowledge God’s control and His goodness toward you?  Psalm 145:17 – 18 says, “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.  The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”  Have you been able to focus your heart on God’s provision and faithfulness to the extent that you have been inundated with news reports and radio spots and op-ed articles?  

There are so many places to get great, faith-based advice about investments.  We are working to grow this site to be a full resource for you.  In the meantime, please visit other places such as www.crown.org and www.soundmindinvesting.com to get further insight about investments.  Additionally, you can visit www.kingdomadvisors.org to locate a Christian financial advisor in your geographic area.

May God’s peace encourage you as you pursue financial wisdom and depend on His truth.

Blessings,

Ron