These Difficult Times: Time to Reset?

At the risk of sounding like a doomsday prophet I’d say difficult times are upon us and bound to get worse. Financial woes, unstable governments, alarming Great Resets, crumbling values. There are also existential threats to health and the environment, according to experts.

In our summer wanderings, in fact, everyone everywhere spoke of difficulty. It was a blessing to reconnect with friends. But there was nonetheless an underlying air of heaviness and concern.

Surrounded by trouble

Italian society is now dominated by the draconian Covid Green Pass; no one can even work without it. Which is causing a lot of difficulty and division (pro and against, vaccinated and non).

This virus and the resulting crises have touched all our lives in some way. Not only sickness, but the loss of loved ones, life savings, jobs, and freedom. Folks wonder how to go on, how to survive.

And it’s not over yet. Hard times are upon us, and they are unlikely to end anytime soon.

People are losing hope

But our greatest danger is all the discouragement and hopelessness. They lead to discouragement and despair. And they cloud the unshakeable truth that God is always in control.

A young mother, expecting her second child, shared how depressed she’s feeling. She doubts the wisdom of bringing children into such a world. A world of diminishing freedom and increasing problems. And who can blame her? It seems to be spinning out of control.

That’s why, more than ever, we need order and tranquility in our private sphere. We need our own reset! Taking action can make things seem under control and restore our hope.

We need our own Great Reset!

To implement your own personal reset, try these suggestions. To help you face these and future hard times with courage, fortitude, and God’s wisdom.

1. Prepare for the worst, but hope for the best

Scripture tells us that “in the last days, grievous times will come.” But it also says that although winter is coming, we can prepare!

Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise. Without leader, administrator, or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest.

Proverbs 6:6-8 CSB

2. Prepare materially

Get back to basics, live within your means. And follow the old adage: “use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

• Frugual living
  Being frugal is still a sensible virtue. And it doesn’t mean being cheap or stingy!
• Cut debt
  During the great depression people adopted a policy of “no cash, no sale.” Spending money before you even have it is unwise!
• Simplify, simplify, simplify
  Not only decluttering, even though it’s a great idea. There is more to it than that. Plan simple menus, simple schedules, and simple pleasures.
• Cultivate contentment
  Contentment can help you see how much you already have and that it’s enough.
• Hold on to hard goods
  As prices rise, hold on to tools and other hard goods. You might need them in the future. Or you could sell them in case of need.
• Make do or do without
  Instead of buying new, see if you can adapt or fix something you already own.
• Invent new ways, learn new skills
  Learn to sew, knit, can food, and do your own repairs. Then you can barter you skills. You could exchange sewing for canning. Or trade computer repairs and tree trimming jobs!
• Stick together
  Learn from the pioneer and depression eras and pool labor and resources. It can make work lighter and life easier.

3. Prepare spiritually

Hard times, shifting values, and crises put both faith and families to the test. So work at growing your faith and instilling it in your family.

• Cling to gratitude
  Times are difficult, but we still have food to eat. Political and social pressures are overwhelming, but God is still in control!
• Reject fear
  Why waste time worrying about what may never happen? And even if the worst should happen, God will see us through.
• Feed on Scripture
  In it we find peace, joy, love, strength, guidance, and wisdom. It is far more valuable than all the how-to books you could ever own!
• Hide God’s word in your heart
  In many places it’s illegal to own or even read the Bible. Persecution and other disasters can hit anywhere at any time, sweeping both our printed and digital Scriptures away. We could be left with only what’s in our memory.
• Prepare your children
  Discuss the changes that could happen. Assure your children that God will help you make it through together. Build their faith (and your own) so that even the toughest times will not break you down. Remember Joseph, Esther, and Daniel.

4. Cling to hope

You may feel helplessly trapped in circumstances beyond your control. Yet nothing takes God by surprise. No matter what happens, he is our hope and a rock we can cling to. He will see us through.

 So also you have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you.

John 16:22 CSB

Images: Phone by Castorly Stock | Hope by ShonEjai | Now & later by geralt | Piggybank by maitree mithrong | Family by geralt.