In the early 1900s, a British shipmaking company called White Star Line built a massive cruise ship called Titanic, claiming it was so large and so well-designed that it was practically unsinkable. As Cal Hockley put it in the movie, “God himself couldn’t sink this ship.” As we all know, this was not the case.

As the news rolls in from Washington and the financial world, I can’t help but think about the spectacular sinking sequence near the end of the movie. The bow is submerged, slowly raising the stern from the icy water. Deafening creaks of steel from the dying vessel almost drown out the panicked voices and frantic footsteps. Finally the strain on the ship breaks most of it in half at midship with a mighty crash. The forward half of the ship goes under, pulling the aft to vertical for a moment before finally dragging it to its grave at the bottom of the dark Atlantic.

Although I’m no financial expert, I must admit that I wonder if the United States and our economy are similar to that tragic ship. Even after its $10 drop on Monday, oil is still very expensive with an uncertain future. The stock market is plummeting after Congress failed to pass the bailout package. The housing market is still in shambles. Few of us fully understand what’s going on and what it will take to fix the economy, so many are afraid. Hear the steel creaking?

Am I overreacting? Probably. But not one of us knows for sure what lies ahead. I cling to one thing on this ship to keep me sane: not the indomitable spirit of man, for man is broken and flawed. Not the power and incomprehensible wealth of the United States, because there are no guarantees they will last and many examples from history that suggest another power will take our place as the world leader. Not my wonderful family, which makes hard times much easier but can’t make them go away. I cling to the simple but life-changing truth that God is in control and has a plan for every one of us. I will fight to keep myself and my family focused on Him whether we relax on Lido Deck, huddle on a liferaft, or tread water and wait for rescue.