Hi David,
Excellent post, yes perhaps we in the Western world (including the prosperous Asian countries) are going through an economic attitude adjustment, it isn't the first time in history of the world (as George & Craig pointed out) or even in the history of the U.S. and the west that this has taken place. I am old enough to remember the Doomsday Clock (Cold War days in the 60's) being set at 1 minute to Midnight (meaning worldwide disaster), the credit crunch, high inflation (double digit), unemployment rate (almost 10% vs. 6% in the U.S. now).
For some the Yom Kipper War in October (why does this stuff happen so often in October?) of 1973 meant the end of the world as we knew it, the Arab Oil Embargo brought
more than a threefold increase in the price of a barrel of oil in less than a year! We had gas lines, odd/even days assigned to those wanting to buy gas, etc. It was predicted by more than a few that the Israel/Arab war would drag in the USSR and the US into a nuclear holocaust that would send us back to the stone age, some joked with dark humor the only life that would be left on earth would be the cockroaches and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones (because of his knack for surviving overdoses of drugs and booze). The overall mood was doom and gloom. Without going into detail each decade since has had its share of downturns, rumors of war, pestilence and anxiety.
We are still here though....
It is not wrong to prepare for shortages, to stock up on essentials but it is not conducive to spiritual growth to wring our hands in despair, He will provide, He promised!
While its true from our perspective that anything can happen, it's also true that anything could have happened throughout the history of mankind. What DID happen operated under the same Law as what is happening and what will happen. God is in charge. ANYTHING didn't happen and ANYTHING can't happen.
Not all the news is bad, even in the stock markets. Let's remember the discussion from just a few days ago about having a 'sound mind'. Whether we are deeply involved in investments or debts or not at all, panic is the worst thing anybody can do and is a sin for those of us who know the truth.
Very true Dave, wise and sober counsel. We read in Matthew 6 a warning not to succumb to the fear mongering running rampant at any given time, we must learn to trust the Lord, exercise our faith during these times.
It is interesting to note that it appears the end of this age will not come when we are all scurrying about for bugs and leaves to eat but rather when things seem to be "normal" and people are going about their regular business and lifestyles. Look at what the Lord is saying here in Luke......
Luke 17 26
And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27
They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28
Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29
But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30
Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.Let's be faithful and patient as we pray for our Lord's return.
His Peace to all,
Joe