Christian Reflections on Down Days in the Market

I was encouraged and edified by this reflection on the stock market's recent drops by one of our church members, Chad Wilson:

Many of us have 401K’s, IRA’s and even College Savings Funds that have been pummeled by wave after wave of bad news in the past week. Sudden moves in the market often solicit anxious thoughts. Questions arise like: “What if my savings dwindles to nothing?” “How can I be joyful with all this bad news on the economy?” “Is there any hope anywhere?”

In times like this, it is good to be reminded of 1 Peter 1:3-5 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled,unfading, kept in Heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” Here are some lessons from this verse that are worth remembering:

1. When we feel hopeless, we can be reminded that God has given us hope – not in a stock market rebound, but in His Son Jesus Christ. It is a living hope that does not ebb and flow depending on the events of the day.

2. Our lasting inheritance is not our Retirement Plan (important though that may be). Our True inheritance is in Heaven. There is never any risk of our Heavenly inheritance falling, fading, or vanishing.

3. God is the great guard of our eternal inheritance. Your financial adviser and the best asset allocation strategy in the world are not capable of perfectly guarding you and your future. Only God, by his power can guard your eternal future.

I certainly don’t intend to minimize the importance of wise decision making when it comes to our Earthly inheritance. I do intend to remind us that there is a much more important Heavenly inheritance that has been forever secured for the Children of God by the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let that comfort you on down days like today. It isn’t the first, and it won’t be the last.