Hope Exists

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

- Jeremiah 29:11

It's tough out there lately and it sounds like all the predictions say it could get a bit worse before it gets better. I have to admit that I thought I was recession proof for awhile there. But it's official, I'm just like everyone else. My biggest account placed their 2009 advertising last week and they are down almost 50%. Without going into the nitty gritty details, I lost thousands and thousands of dollars in commission on just that one piece of business. Although the shock of it was brutal, the panic I got from thinking about the potential cancellations from the rest of my clients really got me going last week. The more I thought about it though, the more I calmed down. My faith came through reminding me that God will never leave me or forsake me and that He's God in both good times and in bad. There are lessons in financial responsibility to be learned here and I plan to take full advantage of being forced into learning to get by on less and being much less frivolous. We're all in the same boat here and together we'll get through this stormy weather and move on to calmer waters. My hope is that we'll all help each other through whatever comes our way. I love the verse from Jeremiah that says "For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." It's a reminder that God isn't trying to punish us or make us suffer. He has great plans for us and wants nothing but the best. Times may be tough, but God will be with us through it all and those who trust in Him will find comfort in knowing that we're not alone. Hope does exist.