And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. – Job 42: 9-11

The year 2012 has been very eventful, and in some respects, it has been the worst of times. We have experienced many low points and challenges hitherto unseen in our young nation – frightening criminal atrocities, worrying economic signals and disturbing social trends, among other concerns.

In many other areas, however, we have had the best of times. We celebrated 50 years of Independence with successes in the cultural and sporting fields; and once again, we proved how much influence our little island has on the rest of the world. Jamaica is indeed a nation of confusing contradictions and intriguing inconsistencies!

A welcome holiday break

In a few days, we will commemorate another Christmas Day. This holiday period gives us a brief respite from our personal and national troubles; when we can eat, drink, be merry and pretend that all is right in our world. After all, who can be too concerned about the future when we can enjoy family, food and fellowship right now?

However, after the shopping and cooking have been completed, the presents have been opened and the sorrel and fruit cake have been consumed, the reality of our lives will slowly creep back in. Once the festive distractions are gone, we will again be forced to confront the giant challenges that were merely resting during the time of frivolity.

Money woes abound

Over the year, I have been increasingly concerned about the rising levels of financial distress that ordinary Jamaicans have been experiencing. I have received many e-mails and phone calls from persons who are sinking into an economic quicksand and are unable to find solutions to their money problems.

With insufficient income sources, crippling debt obligations, and unexpected job redundancies being the chief complaints, I have found that the middle-class of our society is being drastically eroded. Too many people are becoming the new poor, instead of rising to the nouveau riche status needed for our development.

Like the biblical story of Job, in which a formerly wealthy man lost all his material possessions, his family and health, Jamaica is being stripped of so many of its rich resources. We are losing educated minds to rampant unemployment, personal wealth to insatiable money lenders, and worst of all, some of us are losing hope for a brighter future.

Focus on possibilities not problems

For our nation to survive in these tough times, we need to foster a culture of productivity not dependence. We need more persons who are willing to take the entrepreneurial risk and create new jobs and generational wealth. To achieve this, we need our leaders to remove all the barriers and disincentives to small-business growth.

Despite the prevailing economic uncertainties, is it possible for us to rise up like the mythical phoenix from the ashes of deprivation? Can we summon the collective will to turn around our country’s desperate situation? Can our fortunes not only be restored, but doubled in value like those of Job, the ultimate survivor?

Christmas prayer list

This Christmas, I would like to pray for the restoration of our individual, business and national fortunes. I pray that we will create detailed budgets to determine the true cost of our lifestyles, and learn to live within our means. I pray that we will recognise that we cannot solve our budget shortfalls by borrowing, as this will only increase our financial problems.

I pray that we will develop the desire to increase our savings instead of focusing only on spending for frivolous pleasures. I pray that we will use more of our disposable income to support the growth of local enterprises. I pray that we will become more goal-centred and make long-term plans to improve not just ourselves, but the next generation.

I pray that we will look inward towards our talents and ingenuity to find ways to earn extra income to meet our needs and attain our goals. I pray that entrepreneurs will be fearless and resolute in their business activities and educate themselves about how to run successful operations. I pray that the resulting wealth will be fairly distributed among the population.

I pray that our leaders will use the country’s resources wisely to provide avenues for Jamaican businesses to thrive. Most of all this Christmas, I pray that Jamaica will, under God, increase in beauty, fellowship and prosperity, so that it can really play a meaningful part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race.

Copyright © 2012 Cherryl Hanson Simpson. No reproduction without written consent.

Originally published in The Daily Observer, December 20, 2012

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Cherryl is a money coach and business mentor, and founder of Financially S.M.A.R.T. Services. See more of her work at www.entrepreneursinjamaica.com and www.financiallysmart.org. Contact Cherryl