440: Economic Terrorism

I trust that your week of celebrating failure went well and that you learned a lot in the process. (I posted a daily failure quote on my Facebook page in case you missed them.) Now it's time to move on.  This weekend the Monday Memo turns nine years old!  I wrote my first Memo in March, 2001 and I never thought I would still be writing it nine years later.  I still have something to say, however, so if you keep reading it, I will keep on writing it.

This week I want to look at what perhaps your greatest obstacle to purpose and that is what I call economic terrorism. To understand this concept, of course you will have to read on.

STRAWLESS BRICKS   

When Moses announced to Pharaoh that it was time for God's people to go, Pharaoh did not like what he heard.  Egypt depended on the Israel's slavery for bricks, and Pharaoh wasn't about to let the people go.  So he did something to make their life even harder than it had been before Moses showed up:

That same day Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers and foremen in charge of the people: "You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don't reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.' Make the work harder for the men so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies" (Exodus 6:6-9).

Pharaoh was trying to intimidate his slaves and make them believe that their freedom was unachievable.  He increased the pressure so they would work longer and harder for the same results and have less time for anything other than he wanted them to do.

I have found this same dynamic at work in some who decide they will pursue their purpose.  After they make that decision, things that they can't explain begin to happen. Their car needs major repairs, they have an unexpected financial setback, or they even lose their job. Sometimes that causes them to conclude, "Maybe this isn't the right time" and they then postpone or even abandon their dream.

ECONOMIC TERRORISM   

I refer to Pharaoh's actions as a form of economic terrorism. It was done to strike fear in the hearts of God's people and to distract their attention and activity. It seems that if the enemy can't keep you from your purpose, then he will try to starve you out or frighten you into abandoning your quest. Almost everyone I know, including myself, who is pursuing purpose has gone through hard economic times. The temptation is there to quit but often that is not the time to quit. 

God allows these hard times to test you and see if you are serious.  Hard times increase your faith and dependence on God. They purify your motives and focus.  I have talked to many who stood up to the terrorism and made it through to purpose.  I am among those who did.

So if you are in the midst of economic terrorism, hang on.  Help is on the way!  The challenge is that you don't know exactly when the help will arrive.  So take it one day at a time, thank God for what you have, visualize better days and do whatever you can to make it through.  Whatever you do, don't lose sight of your purpose, for that purpose will see you through to the end, because your purpose is the will of God for your life.  Have a great week!

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Comments

[Cleophas W. Chesoli]

this was in deed the best start for my week! It has encouraged me to move on! Sure we encounter lots of economic terrorism in our pursuit of purpose. Thanks John for your valuable insights.

[David Waweru]

These two articles economic terrorism and Fear and Intimidation are just the bomb for me. Fear and intimidation bring doubt and where theres doubt theres no faith and no confidence. John Keep writing! You will never know what this does to a businessman like me where i take risks everyday.

David Waweru
M.D. Jewel Africa Safaris
Nairobi, Kenya