Facing Tough Times with Faith and Confidence

Rich Stearns in Africa

Faith in the Midst of Crisis

Rich Stearns, President of World Vision

I faced my own moment of truth in 1987 during one of our country's worst stock market crashes. In one day, my wife, Renee, and I lost more than one-third of our life savings. How do we deal with such devastation? Do we panic, or do we trust that God is bigger than our current situation? Well, I decided to panic! I became obsessed with our losses and tried everything to remedy the situation. It wasn't until Renee confronted me about my unhealthy behavior that I was able to look beyond myself and see the larger picture.

That night Renee and I took a leap of faith. In the midst of loss and uncertainty, Renee told me, "Now I think we need to get out the checkbook and write some big checks to our church and the ministries we support. We need to show God that we know this is His money and not ours." It is this type of faith that frees you being a slave to money and a slave to this world.