Tag Archives: fear

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The Rat Race

There are an awful lot of people who think that instead of being in the human race, they are in the rat race. What does that mean? Why do they think like that?

The life we live as human beings has often been described as a “rat race.” You have probably heard common phrases like, “Another day in this lousy rat race,” or, “Welcome to the rat race,” or similar phrases.

The term “rat race” more than likely came from the rat’s desperate struggle for survival. It very strongly implies an endless, self-defeating pursuit. There is no question in my mind that the life of a rat is a deplorable and disgusting existence to say the least.

Are You A Rat?

But, on the other hand, it is contemptible to say that human beings are like rats. More importantly, it is devastating to those that accept it as so.

Let’s think logically for a moment. Are we to believe that the Creator’s intention was for billions of people to be all over the earth struggling to survive due to a limited supply? That sure sounds like the life of a rat to me! Are we really supposed to believe that the Almighty would be that shortsighted? Are we all supposed to struggle for survival like rats because there is not enough to go around?

I think not!

Let’s start with the bare basics. Every morning, you and billions of others wake up breathing oxygen. There is plenty – abundance for everyone! And as you roll out of bed, it’s comforting to know that planet earth is still orbiting the sun so there is plenty of sunshine across the whole planet for another day.

In fact, when you really take a look at God’s creation it becomes very obvious that He is a God of abundance!

Let’s Add Up The Apples

I read that each apple contains about ten seeds. That means one apple has the potential to produce ten apple trees. Each apple tree can produce around two thousand apples per season. With ten seeds in each apple, one apple tree, one season, has the potential to produce twenty thousand more apple trees. And, a good apple tree can produce apples for one hundred years or more!

The signs of the Creator’s abundance are everywhere: in the plants, the trees, the flowers and everywhere you look. (Well, almost everywhere.) With all the great abundance and obvious design for abundance, why are so many people lacking in their lives?

It was never the intention of the Creator for the human race to be a rat race. It was never His plan for people to live with fear, anxiety and have no peace. It was not His design for people to spend their days worrying about the daily necessities of life, completely absorbed in trying to earn a living.

He Has Provide An Endless Supply

God is a God of abundance and He has provided an endless supply. He intended for us to enjoy our lives by enjoying all He has provided for us. But He also gave every one of us free will to choose.

Every person has to choose what they want to believe and accept. What we believe and accept is what we will attract and bring into our lives.

Doubts, worries, and fears will do nothing but cut you off from the flow of His abundance. It’s like putting your foot on a hose. The supply is there and it is flowing, but you are interfering with and impeding the flow.

Thinking negatively and talking negatively will bring negatives into your life. Thinking poverty or lack and talking poverty or lack will bring poverty and lack into your life.

The Creator is unlimited in His ability to supply and provide for every one of His children. The signs of that great abundance and supply are so obvious. How could we dare to think otherwise?

When we decide to think and talk of His abundance and His prosperity, His care and His protection, His endless supply and His endless love we attract those same things. When we focus on those things, they expand, and we will begin to see His abundance and prosperity flow into our lives.

Mike Verdicchio

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This Economic Mess Just Isn’t Fair!

What happened? Who is responsible for this economic mess? This is not my fault and it just isn’t fair!

Sound Familiar?

As our children were growing up, I told them many times that life is not fair. No one ever said it would be; and, it really never will be. Things will happen that will affect you that are just not right. At times, you will be treated unfairly.

What is very important is not the “what” or “why,” but rather how you respond to those kinds of situations. Today, many people are angry, and who can blame them? Some have lost their retirement savings. Others have lost their jobs. And that just isn’t fair is it?

So, Now What?

So, how do we respond to an event of this magnitude? Politicians blame other politicians. Poor people blame the rich. Some people want the government to put a band-aid on everything and make it all better.

All of that is a waste of time. It doesn’t solve anything. And, it doesn’t help or change your personal circumstances.

Here’s a Big Surprise: Life Isn’t Fair!

I’m sure we could all look back on our past and remember incidents in our lives where we were injured or treated unfairly. Once, in second grade, I was accused of something I did not do, and on top of that I was called a liar when I denied it. That was very unfair.

Another time I tried out for football in high school. There was one spot left and the choice was between two of us. I wasn’t that good of a player, but I was a whole lot better than the other kid. But, I was not chosen. When I asked why not, I was told that it would have really hurt the other kid’s feelings if he wasn’t chosen, so they picked him.

Now the sad part is that I carried the hurt and resentment from both of those incidents for a long time. But carrying all that garbage around for all that time was not profitable for my life to say the least. And, honestly,  those incidents were not critical to my life or well-being.

Yes, There Are Some Very Serious Situations We Must Deal With.

But, on the other hand, today many people are facing serious situations that are not fair. They are not responsible for the stock market, the housing industry, or the credit market. These situations are very real. But it is extremely important how we respond.

I can relate.  When I lost my job of 16 and a half years with CBS Radio I had to make a conscious effort on how I was going to respond.  I had to decide if I was going to focus on the current circumstances and be full of resentment, or move forward on a new adventure.

Trying to figure out who is to blame will solve nothing. Being upset and angry is a waste of your precious time and energy. Allowing yourself to become full of fear will not help you to get to a personal solution. These are not responses; they are reactions.

First Things First

First, stop and take breath. You are still breathing! You are alive!

Don’t allow yourself to emotionally react without thinking. Next, stop dwelling on what you have lost or may loose. Instead, look at what you have and be thankful. Thank God every day for everything that you have!

Then, ask God to help you with your personal situations. Look to Him for guidance and direction. Could there ever be a time when the situation would be so bad that God could not help? If there is, then you need to get another God!

Finally, manage your life and your affairs with wisdom and discretion. (I did not say, “With fear.”) Acting out of fear will only bring negative results into your life. Think things through and make the best decisions that you can. If you need financial counsel, then get it.

And Here Is What Is Most Important!

Above all, put your trust and confidence in God as your Supplier! No, it doesn’t mean that you just put your head in the sand and act like nothing is going on. It doesn’t mean that we do nothing and think, “Well, God’s just gotta do something.” No. We trust God for His help, but we take action without fear, moving ahead one step at a time.

It is easy to sing praises unto God when everything is going just fine. It’s easy to say that we love God and that He is so wonderful when there is no pressure. But when you are up against the wall, you will find out if you really believe that He is really real!

I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that our God is both able and willing to help, regardless of the stock market, the housing industry, or, the global economy for that matter. Do whatever you need to do to get convinced of that!

Refuse to react. Refuse to be motivated by fear. Instead, respond with trust in our delivering and powerful God, Who loves you unconditionally! God is still on the throne!

Mike Verdicchio

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A Lack of Confidence!

There is a lot of uncertainty today.  With all that has transpired in the last seven or eight months, many people unsure of a lot of things.  There is a tremendous lack of confidence.

There is a lack of confidence in many things that people have previously trusted in. Financial institutions that have been around for over a hundred years are gone. Companies have gone bankrupt. The phrase, “job security” seems to be a misnomer.

Shady practices of lending institutions have been exposed. The approval and confidence of government leaders in both parties is at an all time low. In fact, government officials currently have the lowest approval ratings ever- single digits! A recent survey showed that many Americans think they should all be fired!

There Is An Enormous Lack Of Confidence These Days.

There are serious concerns about the future. Many are worried and afraid. Some are confused and wonder how all this could have happened. Still others look for and fully expect their government to help and bail everybody out.

Having been disappointed, and even in some cases, feeling abandoned, people are looking for something that they can put their trust and confidence in. And when you think about it, all of the issues we are facing today seem to be related to money in one way or another.

Now let’s remember that money in and of itself is not evil. People misquote the Bible all the time and say that money is evil. The Bible says that the “love of money is the root of all evil.” We are certainly seeing the consequences of that today!

I wrote an article recently, called, “Whom Can You Trust Now?” I mentioned the origins of putting, “In God We Trust” on our money. Thinking about that could be a very good starting point!

There Is A Great Reminder On All US Currency!

Whenever you see money, or use money, or even think of money related issues, why not stop and take a moment and just remind yourself what is on all of our currency? This is a good starting point because it can help to begin to build confidence and trust in God.

It really is critical to build and develop confidence and trust in God. Having confidence and trust in God allows you to receive all that He has promised you regardless of any and all circumstances or conditions. There are no facts, no situations, no numbers, and no conditions that ever negate the promises of God!

I received an email the other day from an airline company promoting a really low fare. But, the low fare expires in one week. Perhaps you’ve heard commercials with the tag line, “Sale ends tomorrow!” Or, another popular line is, “Void where prohibited!”

When reading the promises in the Bible, you won’t read any legal disclaimer, or expiration dates, or that, “certain rules and conditions may apply.” The promises you read in the Scriptures are all true for you to claim right now!

Where Can You Put Your Trust?

People today are really unsure of where and whom to put their trust in. They are scared of being let down again. It seems that there is a great lack of trust in a great many people.

But, you can choose to trust in the One who is the most trustworthy. You can absolutely rely on God’s reliability. You can be certain that His promises are true and that He will bring them to pass for you when you simply believe them no matter what the circumstances or situation.

That’s why it is so important to choose to build and develop a confidence and trust in Him! You will not be disappointed. You will not have to live with worry, doubt and fear! And, then you will be able to genuinely help someone else to build and develop confidence and trust in God too!

Mike Verdicchio