Struggle to Trust: In financial woes

As I consider the title here, I can’t help but ask myself, ‘why do we separate financial woes from other woes?’ Financial woes come when we look to ourselves for the solution and not to God. This is probably a prime lack-of-trust example. But it is not unlike anything else. Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking that financial trust struggles are different at the root than any other specific struggles we have looked at. He knows. He is our anchor. His grace is enough. He comforts us and never leaves us. These truths remain for financial struggles to trust. So, turn back a few posts, and read up on those points.

Jesus meets our needs

He is still the merciful one who carries us through these struggles. He carried us yesterday, last week, and last month. Somehow, he carried us through last year too. It is time to step into that sufficiency and claim it. He carried me though and he will again. I challenge a perspective here. Every good gift comes from Him, and He created all things, so why do our brains limit the money we think he can send our way? That is the trust issue. He made currency, he can send it your way, take care of bills otherwise, pay for your bus pass and a school uniform for the kids. He provides. Philippians 4:19 says, ‘And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.’ He will always meet you where you need him. Declare it, claim it, and live in the surety of the unseen.

Seek His kingdom

‘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,’ exhorts Matthew 6:32-33. God is always looking for ways to bless us, and maybe this is a moment in which we can take a look at ourselves and ask the hard questions. Have I turned my eyes away from Jesus? Is my financial status more important than doing what God wants? Is my panic over money because I undermined myself and I didn’t look to Him for wisdom? Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, Jesus is the same (Hebrews 13:8). He knows our mistakes (ie: sin) and forgives and walks with us. When we focus on our circumstances, the finances or the loss of health or our desires, Jesus loses his rightful place at the center of our heart. We have to right that before He can right the finances or other circumstances.  We have to go back to the basics, focus on Jesus and knowing Him: read the Bible, pray and seek him on our knees.

He keeps promises

He says that though we who are evil know to give good gifts to our children, how much more will He give to those who ask (Matt 7:11). He shows up; He answers the need. We have to lean into these promises and that He is not slow in keeping his promises (2 Peter 3:9). Lean into them: remind ourselves when we feel the panic creeping in, say it aloud when doubt enters the picture. God is good and does work things for our good, though this does not guarantee a pain-free solution or an immediate one. His goodness does guarantee that you are not alone as He is with you. It does guarantee stress-free and fear-free life as we trust in Him and not ourselves. He carries us.