I had a dream a few nights ago. I was with a friend, and we were driving into Newcastle to go to the cinema. But the whole west end of the city that we were driving through was on fire. I wondered about turning around, but my friend was keen to keep going. So we continued to drive through streets that were now engulfed in flames. Despite all the challenges, we kept trying to get to the cinema. We didn’t stop to help anyone in need; we were simply intent on carrying on with our plans.
I shared my dream with a friend. We both agreed that my night-vision was representative of much of today’s society; people are absorbed in their day-to-day lives, and simply want to carry on with their everything as per normal, largely oblivious to the dangers that lie ahead; indeed which are currently upon us. (shared by Kathryn)
Food crisis
Even as we focus solely on one element – the cost of living, we find worrying signals everywhere we look. A shocking new survey suggests that more than 2 million adults in the UK have gone without food for a whole day over the past month because they cannot afford to eat. The same survey reveals that there has been a 57% jump in the proportion of households cutting back on food or skipping meals over the first three months of this year – an incredible rise in such a short period. This means that one in seven adults living in the UK is estimated to be ‘food-insecure’ – that’s 7.3 million people; a figure that has risen sharply from 4.7 million in January.
This means that one in seven adults living in the UK is estimated to be ‘food-insecure’ – that’s 7.3 million people.
The National Institute for Economic & Social Research (NIESR) estimates that more than 250,000 households will “slide into destitution” next year, taking the total number in extreme poverty to around 1.2m. To help combat this, NIESR insists that the government must immediately raise universal credit payments by £25 a week while giving the 11.3m lowest-income households a one-off cash payment of £250. Some people are already paying more than 75% of their weekly income on rent.
Other worrying signals
As almost all of us are well aware, energy bills have already seen a significant price-spike in recent months. The Bank of England estimates that these will go up by a further 40% this October, equating to around a further £1,000 extra per average household. This is going to have a crippling effect on thousands of households.
Additionally, inflation is also likely to rise to nearly 10% before the end of the year. Many commodities have already shot up by far more than 10%. Meantime, mortgage borrowers across Britain are now seeing their repayments go up, and a government policy in which Universal Credit benefits are cut to cover advance payments or claw back overpayments is further pushing people into dire straits.
A series of reports warn about the effects the growing cost of living crisis is also having on mental health. 1-in-4 (25%) of British adults say they are struggling mentally due to the pressures they feel of responsible for financially supporting their families, and 23% say they feel more isolated.
Things aren't looking any better Stateside. Recent headlines show: 'Housing Market Crash Next?'; 'Crypto Meltdown in Perfect Storm of Fear and Panic'; 'Retirements on Hold'; Wholesale inflation hits 11%', etc.
Out of touch
The British Government promises to help those most in need. But policies outlined in Prince Charles’s delivery of the Queen’s Speech earlier this week reveal little concern or practical help for households facing poverty. Many believe the Conservative Party has become out of touch with the ordinary members of their constituencies (a recurring feature of long-term government tenures). However, plans released on Thursday to cut the Civil Service by almost a fifth and save around £3.5 billion a year for tax cuts shows that at least some effort is being made to ease the financial pressure on struggling families.
But policies outlined in Prince Charles’s delivery of the Queen’s Speech earlier this week reveal little concern or practical help for households facing poverty.
Recent comments by Tory MP, Lee Anderson haven’t exactly helped. With a salary of £84,000, he was heavily criticised for apparently suggesting that poor people cannot cook and that there isn’t a great need for food banks in Britain. His proposal was that food parcels only be given to people on the condition they enrol for cooking and budgeting lessons.
(Of course, not knowing how to cook or to budget has long been a factor for a small minority. My mother used to support young vulnerable women in a housing project, and one of the things she often had to teach them was that instead of buying a sandwich from the shop when hungry, they could, for a similar price, buy a loaf of bread, some cheap margarine and cheese, and then they’d have sandwiches to last them a week! - Kathryn)
Global concern
We are sliding further and further into crisis. This is, of course, not isolated to the UK. Across the globe, famine is threatening millions. Harvests in India have been threatened by scorching spring heat. Across the horn of Africa, millions are going hungry (though few in the West seem to notice). The war in Ukraine has pushed up prices of wheat worldwide.
Across the globe, famine is threatening millions. Harvests in India have been threatened by scorching spring heat. Across the horn of Africa, millions are going hungry.
A global solution might be found, but this would involve heavy restrictions on freedom once again, possibly in the form of rationing. And any such policy would lead to greater powers being assumed by ruling elites, which would be likely to bring its own unpleasant consequences (e.g., note the aftermath of the famine in Egypt in Joseph’s time – Gen 47:13-26).
We must avoid being alarmist – exaggerating the danger and causing needless worry or panic. But nor must we bury our heads in the sand and act as if nothing is wrong. Soaring costs – of food, energy and virtually all commodities – along with augmenting food shortages, are going to be an increasing reality in the world in the days ahead.
Trusting in the Lord
As Clifford Hill has been warning for a long time now in this magazine, we need to prepare for difficult times – both spiritually and practically. And we need to be prepared to share what we have with others in need, again both practically, and by means of reaching out with the gospel of Christ. For we can be guaranteed that increasing hardships will cause many to reach out for help beyond themselves, and create an opening, allowing the Holy Spirit to touch their lives.
And we need to be prepared to share what we have with others in need, again both practically, and by means of reaching out with the gospel of Christ.
We will be speaking more about all these issues in coming weeks. Meantime, and always, we need to put our complete trust in the Lord, knowing that he cares for us beyond measure, and he will provide for all our needs (Phil 4:19).
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6-7).
