Look Up. Lift Your Head. Look Forward. Position Yourself.
The world has gone through a crazy period. First, we had Covid, followed by the war in Ukraine. Then soaring inflation drove the cost of living to unpreceded highs, with recessionary fears persisting worldwide. It is as though the nations of the world have been shaken. Taking the current chaos into account, it is easy to get depressed and despondent. You may have had a setback. I believe that it is time for a comeback.
Jesus told us that in the last days, “the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” (Matthew 24:29)
Again, we are told that God will, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” (Hebrews 12:26-27)
According to scripture, there will be a worldwide shaking. The man-made systems of this world and the heavens will be shaken, but I have some good news for you: God’s word also tells us that His people, those who put their trust in Him, will receive “a kingdom that cannot be shaken.” (Hebrews 12:28-29)
Again, we are assured that “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” (Psalm 125:1)
Where does your hope lie? I implore you to put your hope and faith in God.
It is Time for a COMEBACK
You can get back UP even when everything is down.
No matter the setback, God can position you for a comeback.
No matter your mess, God can turn it into a message.
No matter the test, God can turn it into a testimony.
To set yourself UP for a comeback after a series of setbacks, you need to look to God. You also need to stay positive and be patient. You need to ensure that you do not get stuck in current doom and gloom, but have a vision for the future. You need to lift up your weary head, dare to dream, and position yourself for the opportunities that will arise out of this storm.
You can get back UP even when everything is down.
1. Look Up
Look Up. Look to God. He wants to do life with you. He is in control, and you can hold onto Him.
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)
2. Lift Your Head
You can choose to look at the problem and be defeated, or you can look UP, learn from your current crisis, and patiently position yourself for the opportunity that will arise out of the storm.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” (Proverbs 17:22)
Choose to be happy. Look on the bright side.
“… whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable– if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
Look to God.
“I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.” (Psalm 121:1-3)
Don’t just look to the mountains, look to the creator of the mountains. He is your God. He has all power and authority. He will not let you stumble.
3. Look Forward
You also need to look forward and position yourself for the future.
Have a vision:
“Without vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).
Have a plan:
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”(Proverbs 10:4)
Run to win:
“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” (1 Corinthians 9:24)
But keep your eyes on Jesus:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)
4. Position Yourself
So, let us briefly consider a few timeless wealth management principles that can help you rise “UP” financially.
1. Get your priorities in the correct order.
“Develop your business first before building your house.” (Proverbs 24:27)
First, get your financial affairs in order before you take care of your other needs.
2. Align your life with God.
“Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.” (Psalm 127:1-2)
If God is in it, it will work out.
“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth.” (Deuteronomy 8:18)
God gives you the ability to be successful, so do your best, but leave results to God. You can trust in Him. He wants the best for you.
3. Plan well
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)
Have a plan and system. Work hard. Work smart.
4. Build up your wealth portfolio before you spend
If you spend first, you will never have anything left over to save. So, save and invest first, and then only spend what is left over. This way you will always build up wealth.
When it comes to building your wealth portfolio, you need to build up your cash flow for short-term emergencies and you also need to build up your growth portfolio for your long-term goals and dreams.
Firstly, you need to build up a cash reserve to fund short-term emergencies. Try to build up at least 3 months of backup income by setting part of your earning aside in a separate bank account.
You also need to build up your long-term growth investments. No matter what happens in the markets, you need to stick to the long-term plan. Markets can be volatile over the short term, and it is difficult to time the market, but you can benefit from compound interest and generate explosive growth over time if you stay invested over the long term. Stick to your long-term plan.
“Whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.” (Proverbs 13:11)
Why not automate your savings and investments by setting up a debit order to go off your bank account before your other expenses are debited? This way you will set a habit of saving before you spend.
It is not how much money you make, but how you use it that counts. So, save and invest before you spend it.
“The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.” (Proverbs 21:20)
5. Live within your means
It is important that you prioritize your spending. You need to plan effectively and ensure that you make room in your budget for the important items.
Set up a budget. Monitor your spending. Plug those spending leaks. Pay your bills. Say no to unnecessary expenses.
Watch out for debt!
Debt can sneak up on you and steal your cash flow. This can cause much stress and prevent you from achieving your long-term goals and dreams. So, do your best to eliminate debt. Do not get into bad debt.
You can practice delayed gratification by saving up for the things you really want but cannot afford at the moment.
Why not set funds aside in your budget to cover the “nice to haves”? I promise that you will also end up appreciating the things you buy that you had to save up for.
6. Live the Blessed Life
“Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:24-25)
Be generous.
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:37-38)
Be kind. Be a blessing. The measure you use in giving will be measured back to you.
To Conclude…
Look up.
Lift up your head.
Look ahead.
Get your priorities in the correct order.
Align your life with God.
Plan well.
Build up your wealth portfolio before you spend.
Live within your means.
Be generous.
Two Quotes to End Off
“Never spend your money before you have earned it.” —Thomas Jefferson
“You must gain control over your money or the lack of it will forever control you.” —Dave Ramsey
With the right vision, perspective, and plan, you can survive the setbacks and make a comeback. You can get back UP even when everything is down. Always look on the bright side of life! Manage your money well! And look to God for he is your hope and you can trust in Him.
No matter the setback, it is time for your comeback.
God bless you.
Kind regards Clinton.
