The Upside of Economic Depression

I've been thinking about this as I notice what is going on around the nation during what many are calling a bona fide economic depression. Is there an upside? I think so. Let me mention a few.
  • less travel, ergo, less pollution.
  • less money to spend on toys & electronics, therefore kids have to learn to entertain themselves and grow their imaginations.
  • less money for movies and nights out, so families learn to enjoy one another at home.
  • fewer jobs, so people have to create jobs by becoming more ingenious.
  • less money for eating out, so people learn how to cook at home.
These are just a few. I'm sure you will think of others. This is the classic, "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade" scenario. You can choose to be a victim or to be victorius; to complain or to create; to wallow in self-pity or to work toward becoming a winner.
One caveat. In order for us to benefit from the economic depression, it must last long enough to wean us from our "stuff". I believe that Americans will emerge stronger and better because that's what Americans do.

Comments

Joel Hitt said…
Bill! I just had 5 minutes, so I decided to follow your link to this blog, and a few below. You can write, NDAI (no doubt about it)! And with the permission you're giving yourself for this venture, you MAY write. ;) So go for it.

BTW, in the latest entry, I saw 'ingenuous' where you meant 'ingenious.' Correct me back if I'm mistaken. Gotta run. Joel Hitt
March 16, 2009 at 1:13 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Blood Moon; Etc. Etc. Etc.

Prophecy buffs, and apocalyptic preachers and authors have gone "ga-ga" over the first of four predicted "Blood Moons", especially this one which occurred during Holy Week (Passover).  As I think of all the emphasis put on this I'm reminded of the King of Siam (Anna and the King) responding to Anna with the line "Etcetera, Etcetera, Etcetera!" The significance of these "signs of the end" according to Jesus is to prod Christians to get busy about kingdom business.  When He used the metaphor of the farmer reading the signs in the sky, He did not indicate that they became enamored with the signs, but rather that they used the signs to plan the next crop cycle; prepare land, plant, tend and harvest. The same is true regarding the "signs of the end".  We are to busy ourselves with the "work of the One who sent Jesus" while it is day because "the night comes when no man can work."  What that means to the individual Ch...
Read more

A Parable of Good News

Once there was a man who visited every bank, savings and loan, and business in the world and made arrangements to pay all the debts of all the people who owed anything.  This information was made public, and some people took advantage by ceasing to struggle to pay their debts and just acting as if they owed nothing.  Some of those who were thus relieved of debt told their friends and family members. Some even told strangers they met this good news.  However, others said nothing to anyone.  They knew they had neighbors and friends who were weighed down with debt, but they didn't think it was any of their business to interfere.  Eventually many people who had accepted this freedom from debt got together with others who also were now debt-free.  They met weekly to talk about their new freedom and celebrate it.  On very rare occasions debt-ridden people found their way into these meetings and discovered how to be debt-free. A few of those who were freed fr...
Read more

The Purpose of the Church

I t seems to me from scripture that the primary purpose of the church is to represent Christ to the world.  The unfortunate reality is that many, if not most, church members think that the church exists to cater to them.  They expect the church to entertain, comfort, inspire and pamper them simply because they are "members".  If the opening statement of this blog is true, how does that play out in reality?  Here are some random thoughts. The church should serve as a "service station" to members equipping them for ministry to and in the world in which they live. The church should demonstrate to the world how to live in community with one another. The church should do for those outside the church what Christ did for the multitudes when He was here on earth. The church should provide nurture and care for new believers, helping them discover and develop their gifts that enable them to function as Christ's ambassadors to the world. The church should be a platform for...
Read more