FGGAM NEWS received this news release over night, I am posting this because of the excellent, Godly advice of Mr. Robert Knight.
Keep Calm and Carry On
By Robert Knight
During the London bombings in 1940, the British people rallied behind the slogan, “Keep calm and carry on.” That’s an excellent call for us as well.
With a viral pandemic, the stock market bucking like a bronco and the media hyping anything that enhances doom and gloom, it’s hard to concentrate on much else.
But those of us who put our faith in our Heavenly Father have special reason not to despair.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
These are not just words but a way of life. When you realize that God, not we, are in charge, it takes away unnecessary anxiety. From beginning to end, Scripture repeatedly emphasizes God’s ownership of all things.
“To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it” (Deuteronomy 10:14).
God is fully aware of what’s going on and is not surprised by any of it.
At Timothy Plan, we take the long view, knowing that the only thing that lasts forever is God’s Word, “which shall never pass away.”
We also believe that the Trump administration’s impressive, public/private full-scale partnership to fight the epidemic will limit its severity and duration and also mitigate the damage done to the economy.
In the next few weeks and perhaps even months, we will learn of more infections as more people are tested. It will be important not to give in to the panic mentality fostered by sensationalist media. We don’t know when this will end, but it will end, and recovery will begin.
“People sometimes ask me how I can stay so calm when the markets are in flux or something else out there is scaring everybody,” says Timothy Plan founder and CEO Art Ally. “It’s not that I’m particularly brave. I just know Who’s in charge. And it’s not me. If I do my part, He will do His part. It’s not that complicated.”
As believers, we find calmness, peace and hope when we put our full trust in the Lord.
We can also take some comfort in history, where we see that bear markets eventually and inevitably recover, and that investors who stay the course are glad they did.
Down markets can last anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of years. The bear market of 2007-2009 lasted 15 months. The S&P 500 was down by 50.9%. But the markets came roaring back as they always do.
Not Just Waiting It Out
As we ride out the current crisis, we can do a few things to enhance mind, body and spirit.
Cancelling many of our usual activities can actually be beneficial to our spiritual health, by freeing-up more time to read and study God’s Word, to pray more diligently and to listen to Bible teaching.
It’s also a great time to reflect on our current priorities in life—the things that consume our time, talents and treasure.
As for staying healthy, it’s helpful to watch updates from the CDC’s Coronavirus Task Force and to follow the practical tips for dealing with the situation.
We should take reasonable precautions to avoid exposure and prepare for any isolation periods that may arise. We should eat well and exercise, and maintain good physical health.
One thing we should not do is check our cell phones for bulletins or market levels many times during the day or especially before turning in at night. It won’t change a thing except to induce anxiety. It’s so much healthier to take the Apostle Paul’s advice on what to think about:
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
John Newton, who wrote “Amazing Grace,” issued this piece of advice about trusting God:
“Let us suppose the thing we are most afraid of actually to happen. Can it come a moment sooner, or in any other way, than by His appointment?
“Is He not gracious, and faithful, to support us under the stroke? Is He not rich enough to give us something better than ever He will take away?
“Is not the light of His countenance better than life and all its most valued enjoyments?”
America and the stock market have been through many crises, and it’s those with cooler heads who do the best in the long run.
So, with that in mind, let’s trust God, keep calm and carry on.
(Robert Knight is a writer for Timothy Partners, Ltd. He is a regular weekly columnist for The Washington Times, Townhall.com, OneNewsNow and others. His latest book is “A Nation Worth Fighting For: 10 Steps to Restore Freedom.”)
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This prayer was sent to me by Dr. Jim Denison….
“Prayer for a Pandemic”
To that end, I’d like to close by inviting you to share with me a prayer that a dear friend forwarded to my wife over the weekend. It is titled “Prayer for a Pandemic” by Dr. Cameron Wiggins Bellm of Seattle, Washington:
May we who are merely inconvenienced
Remember those whose lives are at stake.
Remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors
Remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home
Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close
Remember those who have no options.
May we who have had to cancel our trips
Remember those that have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market
Remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home
Remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country,
Let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.
Amen.
I just received this message from Former Congressman and now Pastor Bill Redmond of Los Alamos, NM, Bill is one of my HEROES OF FAITH!!! PTL!! Bill is pictured above at last years National Day of Prayer in Albuquerque.Bill Redmond
