Trusting God with my Finances:

I will be completely transparent that I have been struggling with my finances.  I know many others also feel this way about their finances, especially recently as the last few years everything has become more expensive. I have been working really hard to get my finances in a better position than they were a few years ago, but sadly, it is just not going the way I wish it would. I know there are many times I need to depend on Him and His sovereignty, but I just really struggle and I end up getting really stressed about it.  In fact, I will be honest when I say I have some panic attacks because of my payments or because the bills are due.  Sometimes when something comes up, and I don’t know what to do financially, I will even get fairly upset with God at this moment.  

I have felt in my heart that God is really calling me to trust Him more and more with these issues.  He keeps reminding me about this every time I have an issue in my finances.  If I am honest, I think sometimes I am a bit angry with Him for the state I am in financially.  I know this isn’t how I should be, but there are just a few times I really struggle with not blaming Him for the place I am in.  I know it is ultimately my decisions landing me here, but it can still be easy for me to want to blame someone else, or in this case God.  

It is an odd thing I haven’t learned how to trust Him because I have been given so much, so many blessings, in the last few years when it comes to finances.  For example, while I have been struggling, God has given me a new opportunity to be a cross country coach at Waterloo Christian school.  This will be one, another just great opportunity, but two a way to help me with my finances in the future.  This just came because of a simple conversation with someone from my church.  I didn’t need to find this on a job site or wait for a long time as my application was processed with others.  The Lord blessed me, and I didn’t even really have to do a whole lot to get this opportunity.  

I know there are many reasons God is having me struggle a bit with my finances.  I know this is because he wants me to depend on Him more as opposed to depending on myself.  I am one who is easily able to focus on myself and all the things I can accomplish or I can provide or all the things I am capable of.  It is important for me to feel like I matter in society, and not feel as though I am just worthless.  However, this is not what God calls from us.  He calls us to be dependent on Him.  He calls us to pray to Him and for us to ask things of Him.  

I do want to say it is important to care about your finances.  I think it is important to be wise with one’s money.  A person shouldn’t just be spending money here and there.  They need to be wise in their decisions.  They need to be willing to think about how their money decisions may impact them in the future.  It can also be helpful to be wise with money, so we can have an opportunity to steward missions or actions happening in our church.  

1 Peter 5:5-7 explains this perfectly.  This says, “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’  Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.”  There are many reasons this verse stands out to me for this topic.  The first point is to clothe yourself with humility.  I was just talking about how there is pride when it comes to me and my finances.  I feel the need to take care of myself completely.  I don’t want to depend on anyone else or be a burden on anyone else, but I want to feel as though I can depend on me to make my situation better.  However, this verse reminds us that God wants us to put on a robe of humility, and He reminds us that He opposes the proud but He lifts up and empowers the humble.  

However, my favorite part about these verses is the reminder that God wants us to depend on Him.  He wants us to lift up all of our concerns to Him and to tell Him whenever we are very stressed or anxious.  I believe this verse shows God’s great care about us.  He shows He has great concern and love for us, even when sometimes we want to go different ways, or even during the times we are too prideful to really ask Him for help.  

The challenge for you this week is to think of the biggest stressor you have in your life.  It may be financial situations like it is for me, but if it isn’t financial, if it is relationships, friendships, work situations, family problems, health issues, or whatever it is your concern, I want you to feel as though you can go to God for help and love.  He wants to be there for you for whatever it is you need.  He doesn’t want you to suffer.  He doesn’t want you to be sad or anxious.  He doesn’t want you to be prideful either, or only depend on yourself.  He wants to help, so the second part of the challenge is to go to Him with any of the concerns you may have and to let Him help you.