February 23, 2018
What do you do when you worry about money?
On our radio show this week, Dave kindly reminded me that I flip into problem solving mode. I try and think through every angle possible and try and manipulate our “envelope” system to cover what is necessary, or try and think up ways to find financial answers. Sometimes the emergency or need, however, is just too big for my brain. Then what?
“He wants us to know His intimacy and His love. And out of that place where we understand that we are His chosen sons and daughters, He will lead us to answers to the troubles we face.”
Dave on the other hand, either goes to “doom and gloom” predictions, or heads to various forms of escapism and avoidance: great books, Netflix, hummus and chips, or chocolate.
Okay, so our vices are out there now, but what about you?
On our journey at More Than Enough Financial Fitness, we see people experiencing all of these vices, and many others as the pressures of debt repayment just gets too big. Many times marriages are falling apart as fighting takes the place of listening and learning. Other times people just keep spending money knowing they don’t have the means to repay it. People just get tired of the oppressive weight and they want to run or escape from it any way possible.
In Matthew 6, Jesus kindly reminds us that worrying does not add anything to our lives. Today, science would tell us that it takes health away from us, adding stress and uncertainty.
Jesus said
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
I think we can agree that today has enough trouble of its own. And I think we can agree that worry does not help solve our problems. So what do we do when there is worry and fear knocking at the door of our hearts, threatening to undermine our faith?
There are many suggestions I could write about that may or may not help you. The fundamental answer and response to worry on my own journey has been simple, yet it is not a “natural’ response because it is not a “magic eraser” to trouble. This answer, I promise, when pursued, will bring peace over and over again. It simply is this: pursue God – Father, Son and Spirit and immerse yourself in His Presence.
Trust God even when the Red Sea is not parting
We so often here of the promises of God. But many of us find ourselves in times of waiting and wondering, and we don’t always see the promises fulfilled in the ways we expect. I am learning that it is in times like these that spending more time with God in worship, in His Word, in quiet, in meditation, and in prayer is paramount. He is calling us to fix our gaze – our eyes, our hearts – on Him, to focus on the truth that He is the beginning and the end. He is true. He is love. He is holy. He never falls off of His throne. Meditating on who He is reminds me He is truth and love, and brings me into trust and assurance, even when I don’t see the Red Sea part.
He wants us to know His intimacy and His love. And out of that place where we understand that we are His chosen sons and daughters, He will lead us to answers to the troubles we face. This kind of relationship takes time and pursuit, but HE IS the BLESSING we so often hear about in the promises of God. This intimacy is worth the time and pursuit.
Being in community
This is another piece to battling worry and anxiety, and has helped our family in times of adversity. If you are finding yourself in worry and fear over your finances, find some people you trust that you can talk to, pray with, and even cry with. Having people you love and trust carry the burdens with you is so important. Having people pray with you and for you is a lifeline in times of distress. Having people who believe in you and stand with you, even when you don’t believe in yourself or in the calling God has for you, is like water in a desert.
I know we are to be thankful in times of adversity, and that too brings peace. But I have found that genuine gratitude truly flows when I am immersed in His Presence, and in communion with others.
So if you are worrying about money, identify your “go-to vices”, and take it all to God instead. He is the Prodigal God in the midst of your trouble beckoning with open arms. Acceptance without shame and judgment is awaiting you, alongside love and grace, and the promise of help in times of trouble. He makes the way. He will show you the way.
Rebecca van Noppen is Communications Director at More Than Enough. She is also a teacher, home educator, writer, and woman who loves to pray. She works alongside her husband, Financial Coach David van Noppen, to help others find hope and freedom in Christ on their financial journeys.