COPING WITH RISING PRICES

Be Hopeful

Is the cost of living in your country outpacing your income? Are you concerned about providing for yourself and your loved ones? If so, you may feel that your future is uncertain. Yet, even in such difficult circumstances, hope is an important asset.

WHY IT MATTERS

Hopeful people do not just wish for good things to happen. Hope energizes them to take action and make the best of their current situation. For example, studies show that people who are hopeful . . .

tend to be more resilient
are better able to adapt
make wiser lifestyle choices, including behavior that promotes better health

WHAT YOU CAN DO

First, consider how the Bible can help you today. The Bible contains practical suggestions that can help you to cope with rising prices. These suggestions may, among other things, enable you to gain more control over your life and feel better equipped to deal with future challenges.

“Good sense will protect you; understanding will guard you.”—Proverbs 2:11, New Century Version.

Second, consider what the Bible says about the future. When you recognize the value of the wisdom found in the Bible, you may be moved to look more closely at what this book says about the future. For instance, you will learn that God not only wants you to have “a future and a hope” but also has provided a solid foundation for that hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) That foundation is God’s Kingdom.

WHAT IS GOD’S KINGDOM, AND WHAT WILL IT DO?

God’s Kingdom is a government that will take full control of the entire earth. (Daniel 2:44; Matthew 6:10) Ruling from heaven, it will bring an end to suffering and poverty, replacing them with peace and plenty, as the following scriptures show.

“You will be happy and will enjoy prosperity.”—Psalm 128:2.

“They [Kingdom subjects] will not toil for nothing.”—Isaiah 65:23.

“There will be an abundance of grain on the earth.”—Psalm 72:16.

Millions of people trust those promises, convinced that God “cannot lie.” (Titus 1:2) So why not look into the Bible for yourself? The hope it offers can give you the inner strength to cope with economic hardships and to look to the future with confidence.