It doesn’t Matter if you’re on the right track; if you’re sitting still you get run over – Will Rogers

Perhaps the recent stock market fluctuations are unsettling you. It’s a stressful time for the economy and Wall Street, and you may be concerned about your portfolio, given what’s going on with oil prices, the real estate market, and rising unemployment figures. It may be a good time to review how your assets are invested.

I remember when I was eight years old and looked at the enormous roller coaster at a local amusement park. It seemed way too scary for me. After all, people were screaming like crazy the whole ride. I couldn’t do it. Just then an older friend grabbed me by the arm and dragged me into the line. I tried my hardest to get away, but there was no stopping him. “You will love it,” he demanded. Finally came our turn to ride to our deaths. We got on and my heart was beating in my throat. Tell Mom I love her, I thought. The ride took off like a bolt of lightning, and the next two and a half minutes turned into complete enjoyment. My response was the exact opposite of what I had expected. Sometimes people are fearful at first of things that appear difficult, but when they truly experience them, they find there was a blessing in disguise.

It is sometimes this way with the stock market. What appears to be a roller-coaster ride, the ups and downs of the market, scares people away or out of the market. I once met with a guy named Gary. He was so nervous, he often lost sleep and became physically sick. He would watch CNBC and stock market news and panic. If you ever have been seasick, the best advice is to look at the horizon; it helps you forget about the moving sensation. However, if you focus on the waves, you become more sick. When you allow your faith to become shallow and weak, you often do not look to God, and it is very easy to become nervous and have anxiety. The day-to-day news reports will surely make you sick if you are always focused on the here and now. The apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (niv).

The next time the stock market or your financial picture looks grim, give over your nervousness or anxiety to God. He will provide you the comfort and strength to overcome your fears. Trust in Him, and the scariest roller-coaster ride will become the ride of your life.

God says to not be anxious:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

What areas of your financial life cause you anxiety?

How do you respond to the ups and downs of your financial journey?

Describe your prayer life in relation to your financial circumstances: