Note: This article originally ran in November 2015.

Almost every child has heard their mother say, "clean up your mess."

Today, the U.S. economy is in a mess. The initial estimate of third quarter inflation adjusted gross domestic product  (GDP) was 1.5 percent annual growth. This was down from 3.9 percent for the second quarter and below most private estimates. The current Atlanta Federal Reserve bank's forecast for the fourth quarter is 2.5 percent. Gross domestic product is the final value of all goods and services produced annually within the borders of an economy.

The economy is stagnant. The monthly change in U.S. personal income fell to 0.1 percent from 0.3 percent, and consumer spending to 0.1 percent from 0.4 percent.  Recent reports from five federal reserve banks were negative. Falling family incomes, higher rent costs, slow job growth, greater health care costs, falling consumer confidence and the overhanging debt problem are adding to the stress. 

The only way out of the current economic mess is to stop the bleeding and grow the economy.

The federal budget, which was just passed, provides no signs that there is a political inclination to stop the bleeding. We are not seeing sufficient economic growth to escape present or underlying problems. Current economic policies are more likely to retard economic growth than provide stimulation. The economic mess is likely to continue until fiscal stewardship and policies improve.

In the kingdom, we are not expected to remain in a mess. We are expected to overcome. The Lord warned us that there would be messes (tribulations, trials, frustrations) in this world, but that He has overcome (see John 16:33). We are supposed to move from glory to glory being transformed into His image (see 2 Corinthians 3:18). Jesus was victorious.  We should not sit back and expect the Lord to move us from mess to glory. With the power of the Word, the Name, and the Holy Spirit, we need to change our messes into something glorious. Continued victories will lead to promotion into greater responsibilities.

Joseph was an overcomer. He had the favor of his father Israel and was a follower of Jehovah, because the Spirit would speak to him in dreams. Because of jealousy, his brothers sold him into slavery. Joseph was in a mess, but God was with him. He was sold to Potiphar, the captain of the bodyguard of Pharaoh. Joseph found favor, was promoted, and changed his mess into ... he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house on account of Joseph; thus the Lord's blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field. (Gen. 39:5).

Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph and later accused him of sexual assault. Although Joseph was innocent, he was still imprisoned. Joseph was in a mess again. But he was faithful and changed the situation into something glorious.

The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph's charge because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made to prosper (Gen. 39:23).

Through divine interpretation of two prisoners' and Pharaoh's dreams, Joseph was promoted. 

The former slave had was now second in charge of the most powerful nation in the world. He had overcome. He had changed his mess into something glorious. God was glorified.

Then Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?" (Gen. 41:38). "And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Since God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You will be over my house, and according to your word all my people will be ruled. Only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you" (Gen. 41:39-40).

Dr. James R. Russell is professor of economics and chair of the Undergraduate College of Business at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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