Two Simple Steps to Prosper in Hard Times

We live in very challenging times, and this is regardless of which nation of the world you live in. Many people around the world, even in the most developed economies are struggling to make ends meet. Whatever you call it, be it an economic downturn or a recession, it isn’t new to God, and God isn’t anxious, neither is He confused about the situation. As a matter of fact, such seasons present the greatest opportunities for those who know how to take advantage. There is the popular saying that a rising tide lifts some boats and sink others, the question is how can you rise with the tide.

We will draw our two steps from the story of a man that experienced increase during a recession in the bible. In Gen.26, we will see the story of the man named Isaac, he was dwelling in Gerar, and then a recession hit. God gave him some instructions, to which he abided, and he continued to prosper in spite of the economic challenges. So, let’s take a look at the two steps quickly;

Obedience to stay in your place

The first major key to Isaac’s prosperity was that he was in his place. Your refusal to dwell in your place, the place where God has instructed, will cost you a lot. Don’t move out of your place to another place simply because you see others doing so. Prosperity isn’t tied to any particular place; it is tied to being in your place. Bishop Oyedepo once said that you are sharpest in your place and smartest in your place of assignment. The moment you move out of your place, you risk losing everything, including the little you have gathered before. Your place in this context doesn’t necessarily mean a physical location, it could be the type of product or services you provide. Don’t jump into a trade because that is the trending thing, rather let God guide you, and be willing to stay with what He has committed to you. 

Your place could also be a physical location, if your place is in a country or city, and you move to another, it wouldn’t make any difference, because things will not necessarily get better. The point is don’t make a move to dwell in any location or to relocate simply because you are looking at some persons, rather let God lead you. Abraham moved during the recession in his time, and Isaac stayed behind in his own time, but both prospered because they were led by God. Let your decision to make any move be guided by what God has laid in your heart. This is the first important step to prospering during hard times, faith to conquer anything will rise in your heart when you are certain that you are in your place.

Sow in the land

The second step is to sow in the land. The fact that God has told you to dwell in a certain land or move to another land does not preclude you from sowing, and sowing isn’t always so easy particularly in hard times. Don’t assume that because you have heard from God or because you have received a prophetic word, it means you are exempted from sowing, nothing can be farther from the truth than this. You will still have to sow, and work hard to cultivate whatever it is that you have sown. You may even have to work harder at it now because of the unfavorable economic conditions. Whatever that seed is that God has given you, whether it is a job or a business, a time of recession is the time to work harder to cultivate it. Stay with it and look up to God, not to the unfavorable elements, and in the end like Isaac, you also will reap a hundredfold.

Don’t allow yourself to come under any undue pressure from what is trending or from your friends and colleagues are doing, stay in your place, and give it your best shot. Pray and work harder than you have ever done. As you take these steps, you will definitely rise with the tide.

Shalom!