The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the world’s economy. In the first quarter of the year 2020, recessions have already hit Singapore, Hong Kong, European Union, and China, and many countries have suffered. Job losses and unemployment rate have also increased: in Jakarta alone, as many as 500,000 workers have been laid off. The National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) predicted that unemployment may hit 12.7 million by next year.
These challenges have impacted believers everywhere. A lot of us have had our salaries cut or have been laid off. It has not been easy. According to Armand Larive, the author of After Sunday: A Theology of Work, “losing a job brings not only a severe spiritual crisis” of losing our purpose in life, but also “a feeling of being torn from ordinary human transactions, of not being needed, of deflated self-worth”.
Naturally, many of us are asking: Will the situation improve soon? How can we respond to this economic crisis?
As believers, we are not spared the economic troubles that happen in this world. The Bible contains stories about crisis after crisis that impacted God’s children. Abram had to go to Egypt because there was a famine where he lived (Genesis 12). There was also a famine in Isaac’s time, so he had to go to Gerar (Genesis 26). The sons of Jacob went to Egypt to buy wheat because there was a great famine in Canaan (Genesis 42). These accounts show us that difficult situations can affect the lives of God’s children.
God Has His Purpose and He Cares
So what can we learn from the Bible that might help us in this time of crisis?
Firstly, we can find comfort in knowing that God has purpose for all of us. He reigns and has authority over everything that happens in the world, including this ongoing economic crisis. God knows every little thing about our lives: from our current financial situation to the very hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7). Even though this crisis has affected many of us, we know that God will neither slumber nor sleep (Psalm 121:4). This truth brings us joy and strength, for we can put our trust in God, knowing that He will help us get through this crisis. God will meet all our needs according to the riches of His glory in Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:19).
We Need to Live Wisely and Responsibly
Secondly, knowing that God is in control and will take care of us helps us to live wisely and responsibly. The apostle Paul said, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15). This crisis has taught us to manage our finances more wisely. Perhaps God is tenderly taking our hands and guiding us to look closely at how we have managed our lives and our finances, and to reflect on where our priorities lie. Paul told us why he could learn to be content in any and every situation: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11-13).
This world-shaking economic crisis has left many of us suffering in its wake, but God has promised that He will never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Even though we cannot see it now, He will help us in His own way and time. As God has saved our lives through His miraculous ways, He is more than able to strengthen us so that we can stay faithful in the midst of this difficult crisis.
Looking for help and encouragement in your job struggle and economic crisis? Read our short pamphlet about “Job Loss” in link below.
