Conquering fear of a credit squeeze

Many of the economic fears coming out of Washington DC right now circulate around concern about a credit freeze locking up funds around the world. Banks don’t trust one another, and are refusing to lend money. They’ve locked their lending doors, hunkered down to see what will happen in the near future, and are holding back on loans they’d ordinarily be granting to businesses. Even profitable and sound businesses are having a hard time financing their operations without paying stiff interest rates.

There is an intense degree of mesmerism gripping the USA, and other parts of the world, right now, on this whole subject of debt. It seems much of the attention is focused on keeping the channels of debt flowing, backing up bad loans, and working to ensure borrowers can keep borrowing and banks can keep lending. There certainly is a degree of liquidity and compassion that is needed to grease the wheels of commerce, but what about the other side of the supply and demand equation? What about demonstrating supply that pays off the debt?

I remember years ago, when I was quite young and my wife and I were purchasing our first home. It was a major investment for us, and we were financially challenged, you might say, to afford a house. I had begun a new career, and our combined income was very modest, to say the least.

While working with a real estate agent, I kept talking about cutting costs, saving money, lowering expenses, etc, and one day he piped up, “Why not increase your income?”

His astute observation caught me by surprise. I hadn’t seriously considered that option. To be honest, I had felt rather helpless on the income side of things, because I had no personal control over my income. Whatever came in came in. I never knew the amount ahead of time and I didn't feel any control over future income. I knew what money I had in the bank, and what our bank balance allowed for expenditures, and that was that, so it seemed.

But his comment got me to thinking.

Who was my source of supply? I asked. Me or God? Where did I put my faith? In lack or abundance? I pondered.

I took his challenge to heart and prayed about the income side of things. I understood better that God was meeting the needs of my business and family, and not me. It didn't matter if the financial need was for one dollar or for one hundred thousand dollars, God supplies either option just as easily. Demosntrating this truth was a matter of how much faith and understanding I had in God's infinite provision.

I increased my faith in God's ability to provide. It helped, a lot! We found a house we could afford, happily moved in, and had no trouble paying the bills afterward.

With the credit crisis people are facing today, many are mesmerized into thinking they have to manage debt rather than demonstrate supply. There is a big difference.

To spend all your mental time managing debt deprives thought of the opportunity to demonstrate supply. Debt focuses on what you don’t have. Supply focuses on making the most of what you do have.

When Jesus was faced with feeding thousands of hungry people he didn't say to his disciples, “Go get a loan so we can feed these people.” Nope. He turned to God and found supply in the palm of his hands. There was no need for debt. God was the supplier, and the supply was present. Spiritual understanding revealed it as such, and everyone was fed.

It’s not increased debt that is going to save the country from its financial ills. It’s increased supply, demonstrated by putting our God-given assets of wisdom, honesty, integrity, economy, discipline, order, unselfed love and principle into action.

God gives us what we need spiritually. We don’t need more debt to survive and thrive. We have the inspiration and ideas we need coming from above now that helps us find the “loaves and fishes” we need to meet the need of the moment.

The flow of supply coming from God is never subject to a credit freeze or lock down. It flows freely and abundantly, and is as close as the thoughts we think.

Enjoy the bounty of God today! Focus on supply, not debt, and let the resources of divine Mind provide the funds that pay your bills.