How to Survive Hard Times
I think we’re all beginning to feel the pinch of our current economy. Whether it’s your mortgage, taxes, gas for your car, or your bill at the grocery store, costs have gone up. Our dollar just isn’t going as far as it did a few years ago. For most of us, this hurts and some amount of change is needed in our lives if we’re to survive this season of hard times. Thankfully we have the past to examine and from which we can extract wisdom.
In my humble opinion there are two major historic events in that teach us HOW to push through hard economic times.
The Famine - Genesis 42.
When Joseph was living in Egypt under the authority of Pharaoh, God revealed to him that there would be a great famine. He instructed Jospeh to stock up food, water and supplies so that he could provide for Egypt, his family and many other people. What a perfect example of what we should do too!
Buy food in bulk and keep a few things on hand such as flour, rice and beans. I like to keep things in bulk that I know I can’t find locally and/or grow on my own. For us that’s flour, rice and oatmeal. I feel pretty confident the rest of the food we eat I can grow, or we can source locally. Be smart with your choices, there is ZERO need to buy every single food item in bulk.
Grow a small garden to feed you and a few others. If you live in a climate where you can’t grow things year-round, save a portion of what you grow through canning, freezing or dehydrating. Grow ONLY what your family will eat. Don’t waste time and money on food you hate.
Work hard and don’t give up. Joseph had GRIT. He didn’t wallow in self-pity, he chose to trust that he was right where God wanted him and he honored God in that space by working hard and serving others. He trusted God to take care of him and boy did God do just that!
The Great Depression.
They grew their own food. I highly doubt they were out buying seeds so we can assume they had been saving seeds. If you are already gardening start saving your seeds. If you’re just getting started, purchase heirloom seeds and save a portion of the seeds each season to use the following growing season. You will have the best luck with seed saving when you use heirloom varieties. My favorite place to get these is Baker Creek Seeds. Again, only grow what you like to eat! It’s a waste of time and money to grow food no one in your home will consume. Be wise!
They cooked at home and made meals that stretched. Think of sustaining meals that stick to your ribs. Macaroni and cheese, beans and rice, casseroles, biscuits or bread with each meal. Learn how to stretch your meals out and don’t waste any of it. What your family doesn’t eat can be eaten for leftovers or frozen to eat at a later time.
They went hunting and foraging for their food. If you don’t know how to hunt or fish, now is a great time to learn. If this is something you don’t want to learn I highly suggest becoming friends with someone who does. As a former pastor loves to say “who you marry matters” and I’m thankful I married a man that likes to hunt and fish, and grateful he’s taught me and our children to do the same. Hunting and fishing is an invaluable skill that we all should know how to do.
They had livestock. I know that’s not always feasible depending on where you live. But if you’re able getting 2 - 3 hens will consistently provide nutritious food for your family. If this is out of reach for you, find local farmers by visiting your local farmers’ market. Make friends with all the farmers and ranchers that you can. They are the ones who will help you when you need it most.
They diversified their income and were willing to work hard. There is no shame in a side hustle and earning a little extra cash. Take that cash and store away for a rainy day OR invest that money into items that will give you a bigger return later. Rental home, seeds, livestock, gold, silver, jewelry, paintings. Think of things that have long lasting value.
They bartered with others. You might find a group of friends that would be up for this old practice or there are Facebook groups that have similarly minded people. Maybe you have a service that you could trade for meat? Start seeking out people you can connect with if the time ever comes where you need some alternatives.
They were resourceful. They used the materials they had to fix things instead of running to Home Depot several days a week. Start practicing this skill at home now and teaching it to your children. It’s invaluable and serves everyone well to know how to make do with what you already have on hand.
They were involved in their communities and had support systems. Know the people that live around you, build community right where you are.
They had an extensive skill set. Learn something new ~ sewing, candle making, soap making, canning, growing your own food, foraging. Think of something you could learn that would be useful to your family and to others.
They had hope. Hope is confident expectation. Without hope life loses it’s meaning and purpose. Hold onto the hope that things will get better, even if it’s not here on earth. Hold onto the hope that only a relationship with God can provide and then no one can take it away from you. I encourage you to read Romans 8:24 - 25 and Hebrews 11:1. Remember, when there’s hope in the present, there’s power in the future.
Have faith like the great heroes of the faith and no matter what circumstance you face, hope will always reign over fear and despair.
