How to Dig Our Way Out of the Jungle

 Many of us in this season of staying indoors and disinfecting everything have discovered how we all eventually reach a point in our homes when we cannot ignore the numerous piles of junk any longer. We even have the typical “junk drawer” where every bit and piece of our belongings end up in that one spot.

Stacks of magazines we keep for years thinking that after the first reading we will go back someday and re-read them. We justify that kind of hoarding as “reference material” and it makes us feel better than if we called it trash. Before this pandemic, many of us gravitated to weekend garage sales (yep, I’m raising my hand too) and purchased another person’s junk they no longer wanted. Some of it was especially useful but, occasionally we bought items just because they looked like something we might be able to use. Then we threw them into a box in the garage, forgot about them, and they ended up in our own garage sale the following year. Oh, my!

The summer organization bug is in full swing especially now. We start thinking of what we can do to clear out all the rubbish. If we never, ever discard anything--fearing we will need it someday--we could become a candidate for one of those TV hoarding shows. It’s like trying to dig our way out of a jungle that is about to devour us.

Finding Our True Happiness

Those are all lifeless objects that we think we need, so we keep them. It appears our hoarding gives us a sense of security, which of course, is false. But the same thing goes on in our brains, emotions, and spirits. We get bogged down worrying about every little thing, most of which we can do nothing about.

Money, or the lack of it causes much stress as most of us know. But don’t get caught believing money provides happiness. It does not! How many famously rich millionaires do we know that are truly happy? It might appear that way at first, but an excess of money generally brings an excess of responsibility, which equals excess stress. Think of all those lottery stories of winners one year after their big win. Many of them are worse off than if they had never gambled because they cannot keep up with all their new possessions. Believe it or not, many people fall into bankruptcy when the money is all gone!

Of course, money is not the only worry in life. We can get overwhelmed by relationships that have gone wrong, working at a job we hate, trying to survive after divorce, dealing with child custody, health issues, finding supportive friends, car repairs, anxiety, dieting, disappointment, and doubt. And on, and on, and on.

This is exactly why God commands us [Matthew 6:25-28] not to worry! This is not a suggestion. He is serious about this subject. Why? Because worries are endless; they consume us. Only God knows our anguish when worry devours us. He never wants us in that state of unhappiness and mental chaos. And better yet, He has the answers to our dilemmas. God is just waiting for us to come to Him with our concerns.

Life-Long Learning

If we find ourselves completely worry-free (really?), the opposite problem may become our enemy. Pleasure. Too much of the wrong kind can steer us into a state of denial. We find ourselves hanging with an unsuitable crowd. Doing what we never thought we would. Ignoring our standards and principles. Filling every minute of the day and night pursuing bodily enjoyment, earthly treasures, and worshiping ourselves.

Please don’t get the incorrect idea here. God wants us to be happy and content. He is all about us finding our joy--joy and love in friendships and close relationships. Discovering His plan and purpose for our lives can be the absolute best kind of pleasure; a fulfillment of everything we hope for. Living in God’s world, where He is ready and able to handle our worries and concerns, will provide us a way to grow stronger and stronger every day. Now, that’s a thing of beauty!

“This is what the story means: The seed is God’s message. The seed that fell among the thorny weeds is like those who hear God’s teaching, but they let the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life keep them from growing and producing good fruit” (Luke 8:11, 14 NCV).

 

 

Are You Trapped?

Feeling Trapped?

We love it and we hate it. Money, that is. Has there ever been a “trap” in our lives that is more controlling than this paradox? We can’t live without it if we want food and shelter, yet when we have enough, we strive to get even more and more and never reach personal satisfaction. It is, perhaps, the biggest concern of ours right now given we have just begun a new life.  

“After cashing a check at the bank, the woman in front of me stood staring at her money. "Did I give you enough back?" asked the teller. "Yes," she said. "But barely." (Reader’s Digest: Money Jokes). It’s truly amazing how fast money goes right out of our pocket! When we finally get our paycheck, there is a very long list of where and how we spend our money. It can go in hundreds of directions. And the money runs out before we even get to the bottom of the list.

The Hole Keeps Getting Deeper

Unfortunately, many people depend on credit to get them there. Excess credit cards with balances that are “maxed” out, extremely large loans including home loans, and even borrowing from friends and family. At some point in our lives, we have all done it. This is enticingly a debt trap that is extremely difficult to get out of. A vicious circle. A catch-22.

There is a true story of a woman [name here is unnecessary] who was whirling from this exact scenario. When she got a divorce (the money problem was only one of many issues at this point), there were eleven credit cards, all “maxed” out and a house neither she nor her soon-to-be ex-husband could afford. The house went up for sale and the credit cards were divided up to be paid off. Not a good start to a brand new life!

Sometimes, it can take years to get out of debt. It’s painful. Humiliating. Embarrassing. But possible. Very possible, if we are determined to make it work. And work is exactly what it takes. The outcome may be slow as we go inch by inch to create a much better life. But watching it happen is truly satisfying to say the least. Anyone can do it.

Re-build Your Life

So, how can we reach this point of being debt free? It seems there are as many books on the subject as there is money in the bank! So be careful who you listen to and what you read to be true. There are, however, reliable and credible experts in the money management field who can help get us there (see a couple links below).   

Some of the following examples, suggestions, and encouragement, might help to get started with this important life-building plan. This will move your plan ahead of the game when you decide to take a class, meet with a money counselor, or take an online course.

• Grab a notebook. On the first page, draw a line down the middle creating two columns.
• First Column: “Liabilities.” List every single thing that is owed including very small to very large items. Not just the monthly mortgage/rent and other bills, but also people borrowed from, collection items, and that “bounced” check at the bank. Everything.
• Second Column: “Assets.” List every bit of income of any kind that comes in during the month on a regular basis. This could include a paycheck, crafty side business, home computer services, babysitting, disability check, etc etc. Also list the value of every asset owned, like the house, car, boat, and larger furniture.
• Breathe. This exercise may take awhile and it might be difficult at first if it’s never been done before. But the purpose is to know exactly what is available in our pocket and what is not. There is no solving a problem without knowing what is going on. This can be eye-opening but will provide valuable information to get started. Experts, agencies, or counselors will ask for this kind of list.
• Budget. Yes, it’s a “horrible” thought. Teeth-clenching. But without it, the lists above will be useless. The nice thing is, once created and used, this monthly habit will feel “weird” if skipped.  

It’s too big of a subject to cover thoroughly here, and there are many individual and unique methods that are useful, so if unsure how to create a workable budget, get some help! But don’t just not do it because it is THE key to finding peace about the money situation.

The following links will definitely be concrete ways to help solve any debt problem and start a much better life. DON’T give up--it’s worth it!

Money Management

Dave Ramsey

Where Does It Come From and How Do We Get It?

We may never have thought about it much, but ALL of our money and whatever possessions we may have were generously given and will continue to be provided by only one Source, the Lord God Almighty. He hates to see us struggle. That is why He has a plan for us. God wants us to use our money wisely. When we do, He provides even more. When we give back to him on a regular basis, He gives us even more! It’s true, He says to test Him on this.

“. . .Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!” Malachi 3:10 NLT.