Trusting in God????

[Dianne]

I have been praying about finacial problems for a while and trusting in the Word of God to help me to make good decisions. But instead I am going from bad to worst not making great decisions and situation is getting worst. I keep trusting in Him to help my husband and myself and there are no results, where does my faith go now???? I am sorry to say that I feel disappointed in God and depressed about my situation. What should I do now in relations to God??? Please help

[HeIsEnough]

:wave Dianne

I too have had financial hardships before, so I know it is not easy. I can honestly say I am much better for it, if that is any comfort. We literally hold everything loosely, and are able to adjust to our station as best we can.

That is the goal, and the counsel of scripture, to be content with and without. Saying 'without', doesn't really relate the pain it may take to be content with it, and still that is the place to be.

For us, we needed to 're-adjust' what our priorities were, and I can see God could not do that with us without some suffering. That may not be the case for you, but it was for us. Ultimately, the drawing near to God is a matter of reliance upon Him alone, and many cannot do that with a fat bank account. Hence the sayings in the gospels about how difficult it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom. Just some thoughts sister. :hug

[carmen]

Dianne, the bible has some great practical things to say about how we handle our money and we can draw on that when making our financial decisions. Have you ever heard of Dave Ramsey (www.daveramsey.com)? He is a Christian guy that talks about the way to handle money, get out of debt, etc. He's got a radio show that's on Mon-Fri, and several books out as well. I have been implementing his plan in my financial life; it's biblically based and very wise advice. One of his foundational verses on financial wisdom is that the borrower is slave to the lender.

I'm not sure what kind of bad financial decisions you feel you've been making, but today's the day to begin turning it around :hug. God gives us wisdom when we pray for it and seek it in His word, but it's up to us to implement it. Is there something specific you are having trouble with?

[Dianne]

The problem is our house in Florida. When we moved here we bought a beautiful home. After 2-3yrs my husbands partial income stopped. So I worked overtime to pick up the loss. Then I became tired of working overtime. My husband not able to help because of his multiple health problems. So we refinanced and refinanced until now we can only afford to pay less than interest on our house. In the meantime our mortgage is climbing. The market to sell homes have now slowed way down, our neighbors had their house up for sell 1.5yrs and not able to sell. so I am so worried and to worry is a lack of faith in Christ. We are working to selling the house after repairs are done, but right now I am so scared and worried and wondering where are you God. I made stupid mistakes and confessed them to God. I want to trust Him but He isn't there, Am I living in a fantasy world to think God could help us?

[Dianne]

I live on the east coast of Florida, so you can also through in some hurricanes to really add to the stress. We have a hugh deduction to pay for any hurricane's repairs. Tropical Storm Ernesto is making it's way here but thankfully it is not a hurricane. I have wedged myself into such a mess I need God to help me, but why is He not helping

[carmen]

I made stupid mistakes and confessed them to God. I want to trust Him but He isn't there, Am I living in a fantasy world to think God could help us?If I understand you then, you are saying that if your house doesn't sell, it's because God isn't there and you can't trust Him? Not trying to be harsh here, but just to simplify it down to what I see so I understand.

The thing is, just because we feel God should act, doesn't always mean He thinks He should. Certainly, if He chose to do so, He could bring you a buyer within the next minute. But God's priorities are not our priorities, many times. That is why the Bible tells us that if we seek His kingdom first, everything else will be added to us, and also why when we pray, we need to do so according to His will. If our priorities do not match God's, it isn't that God is untrustworthy or that He isn't there. It's that our priorities are wrong and we need to align them with His. His first priority for us is to make us like Christ. Everything in the life of His child is used toward that end.

According to that premise--not that I am God or presume to know His mind all the time :fear--but just from what I read here when I look at your post, it seems like you are basically blackmailing God with the sale of your house. "Do this for me, God, or you must not be there and/or I can't trust you." I wouldn't respond too well to that if my son did that to me, and I certainly wouldn't give in to it. The first thing I'd want to do is address the problem behind the request. If you see what I mean?

I'm not saying that God isn't going to move to bring a buyer to you. However, what I am saying is that it sounds to me as if you aren't trusting God anyway....what you are trusting is what God does for you. That's not what He wants from or for us; it's not His priority.

I think it's great that you agree you are the one that got yourself into the mess :hug. But please also realize that in that acknowledgement should also be the realization that you may have to take a serious hit in getting out of it. God never promised to get us out of all the consequences of life, or our poor choices. He did, however, promise His children something that others do not have--He promises to use everything that happens for the good of those that love Him. I have found Him to be utterly faithful to that promise, even in my really incredibly stupid choices in life. He didn't save me from all the consequences; some of them were very painful and will continue the rest of my life. Nonetheless, He has indeed used them to make me more like Him--for my good.

I urge you to look beyond your problem, to who God is, and not just what He can do for you but doesn't. He is so much more than His miracles. I hope I do not come across too harshly in my post to you. I may be wrong in some aspects, but am simply sharing from my own life based I what I read in your post. Forgive me if I am off in that. I am praying for you :hug

[HeIsEnough]

I have wedged myself into such a mess I need God to help me, but why is He not helping

We moved out of state with our house unsold, and then bought another. :doh

The market collapsed just when we put it up for sale. Things did not end up so good financially, in the long run. But spiritually, I wouldn't trade one thing for what it took to get me to 'wake up'. I'm not applying this to you sister, just trying to relate what happened to us.

This may not end up exactly how you plan, but God will bring you through it. He expects us to wait upon Him, and to trust Him through the waiting. Many can testify it is very much worth it. God never says He will necessarily rescue us from every problem Dianne, you know that. We are even warned we will face much tribulation in this world, even some of our own making.

Wait upon the Lord, and put your full trust in Him. :hug

[Dianne]

I have been trusting God all along with this problem and in no way do I blame Him for the cause. I have been praying and trusting and He has been great to me through out my life, but I am not always strong in my faith like I want to be. Some days I am and some days I am not. And in no way am I black mailing God to respond to my problem. Regardless of what happens I alwys seek Him , love Him and try to learn what He is teaching me. I am just in panick now and need to calm down and continue to work on my problems and trusting the Lord. I pray for God's strength and to keep strong in my faith. I am speaking out of anxiety. I just want encouragement here, how to approach this problem in relationship with God.

[carmen]

I am just in panick now and need to calm down and continue to work on my problems and trusting the Lord. I pray for God's strength and to keep strong in my faith. I am speaking out of anxiety. I just want encouragement here, how to approach this problem in relationship with God.I have found in my experience that when I make a bad decision or choice, that I have to realize I may have to deal with fallout that isn't pleasant. God doesn't always intervene to save me from the consequences. That, I think, is what you also have to realize. However, I also take comfort in the fact that I know that He will allow nothing that is not for my good. He may not solve your problem the way you wish He would, but He will solve it in the way that is for your best.

I know that's not the most palatable answer, but it's the one I've found to be true over and over again in my life.

Practically speaking, I'm no expert at all, but it sound like at some point you may have to consider selling the house at a lot lower price than you might want to--even taking a loss. Dave Ramsey calls that "stupid tax," as in, when you do something stupid and have to pay the cost of it in terms of $$$. I have listened to him--he was a millionaire and went bankrupt due to some bad decisions, but has since rebuilt his money but with sound decisions--and others talk about losing money because of bad decisions. You are not alone :hug. Many other Christians are right there with you, paying money they would not have to had they made wiser choices.

I really do encourage you to listen to Dave's show...give him a chance. There are many, many callers in the same position as you, either with houses or other decisions, that he advises and I think he will be a great encouragement and help for you as well.

Have you put your house on the market yet, or are you waiting to make the repairs first? And have you talked to an agent yet? Perhaps there is a reason the other house didn't sell for so long that you aren't aware of?

Either way, worry will not help and will only make you feel worse. It will not change the situation, so try (and easier said than done, I know) and take the worry to God but knowing He will use it for you best--no matter what.

[Dianne]

That was the encouragement I was looking for, thank you. We are doing everything possible to get the house up for sell. I suppose the decisions I have made in the past were done before I really took seriously accepting Christ into my life. What I think is happening here is a trial God may be setting here for me. Never have I prayed so hard, read the bible and desperately learning about my faith in God and boy sometimes I fall flat on my face with God. I believe He is teaching me about faith and trust and I don't think He is done with me yet. I have learned so much from Him because of this situation. At this time of my life I am more active in church, go to bible studies and every morning get up early pray and read the bible. So yes I fall so many times and try to pick myself up and learn what He is trying to tell me. but sometimes I get very discouraged and disappointed and that is the time He is trying to teach me. So I was just looking for some encouraging words so I could keep on going with God and have hope.

[carmen]

:hug I just don't want you to be set on expecting God to bring a seller for a certain price when He may not, and have that expectation cause you to stumble later. Forgive me if I caused offense; sometimes I jump the gun and am too quick to speak to speak my thoughts (in spite of the verses to the contrary) :redface.

[Dianne]

I really don't expect God to bring a seller for a certain price, I just want out of this situation so I could start feeling better about life. I want to have time to be more active in church, help other people and have a better relationship with God and my husband. That is all I am asking for. I don't want to become wealthy and worldly, I know you cannot take anything with you after you die and it is not important as the relationship you have with God, I could see that even more so when my mother died last month. Yes I still stumble, I don't want to, but maybe that is the learning process here

[Dianne]

Thankyou Carmen and HeIsEnough for your insight and encourging words.

[Lawrence]

I once struggle with my finances but I start setting out a strict budget plan, cut down the junk foods, put all hire purchases to one easy account, and not overspending to what I earn in a month....

[Dianne]

Thanks Lawrence, I just need to get rid of the house so I can have peace. Right now I can't sleep so I am up with the computer.

[Dianne]

Well this morning I got up and cried to Father God to forgive me for my lack of trust in Him esp. in worrying. What gave me peace was the reminder in what Carmen said that God will work out situation according to His will and for the good. It is not what I want but what He wants. I asked mself if this situation did not work out work I turn away from Him. The answer is a big fat no!! God is so awesome!!!! I love Him and ask forgiveness for being so stupid sometimes. I wanted to voice my situation here in rapture ready because of encouragement and knowledge I receive from all of you. Any more feed back or encouragement I would appreciate.

[carmen]

I'm still praying for you, Dianne :hug

[Dianne]

Thankyou so much Carmen, I feel a little better today, we are getting our kitchen cabinets replaced soon which was the biggest project for us. Then get everything else in order with the house. Then up for sell it will go. I know that is what God wants us to do. God has been so great to give us this beautiful place for 8 years. I will truly miss it and feel sad. But my husband and I will take it one day at a time and keep trusting in the Lord to move us in the right direction. Thank you do much for listening and praying for us. I wil let you know how God is gracefully helping us out with this awful situation.

[Gail 55]

Hi neighbor, I live a few miles from you over in Okeechobee. I have kin folk that live in PSL----.Olsteens. we are in the same shape as a lot of other folks. DH health problems, And that awful word I have grown to almost hate--lol MONEY, or lack of it.---You are nt alone in your troubles---Just wanted to say Hi. --Gail.

[Dianne]

Hi Gail,
Well I am glad that I'm not the only one, that I have other friends in shape like us although I would not want it to happen to any one. Good to meet you
Gail, my next door neighbor.

[abkn]

I have been trying to sell my house for a year now. And yes, Carmen gave me the slap in the face that I needed as well. You are not alone. God will see you through this. He does not want you to fail, or worry, but what I have learned in all of this is "you reap what you sow". I have made poor decisions and I am now reaping what I have sown. But I also believe that our God will turn turn the thistles, that I am now reaping, into Roses.

Remember, don't hate Rose Bushes because of the Thorns, but Love the Thorn bush, because of the Roses!

[Dianne]

Hi Abkn,
I know, and I am suffering dearly for it. I prayed for forgiveness.
I can only hope and have faith that He will be gracious enough to get us through this. Thankyou for letting me know that He doesn't want us to worry or fail. I need all the encouragement I can get to keep on moving in the right direction. I will be looking for those thistles to turn into Roses.
I know that the house can be put together, it is just selling it that is a concern. thanks again for the encouraging word.

[mom of 4]

(Dianne)),
I am going through some major financial problems right now too. We are trying to sell the business to get rid of most of the debt. I can vouch for the worry- and the sleeplessness. All I can say is that I try to keep focused on Jesus- that takes some pressure off of my problems, and I have been trying to be helpful to those who are much worse situation than myself. I have the last part of a verse from Ephesians pasted above my sink, that reads, "Therefore put onthe full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:13. What kept jumping out at me was, "stand, after you have done everything, stand." I said, "Lord, I'm standing......I feel I have done everything that I can humanly do, now what?"
Well, I'm still standing. I am trying to keep the full armour of the Lord on. I am waiting for an outcome, that I realize God will use for the good in me. BTW, just in conjuction, I heard a speaker yesterday taliking about the Israelites taking a stand against their enemy- their "stand" was one of worship. Takes the focus off of us and onto the Lord.

God Bless you Dianne. I pray that all goes well with you.

[Dianne]

Thank you mom of 4. I very much focus on Jesus, and sometimes I feel ok and other times I feel like the floor is falling out from under me. I go back and forth between peace and anxiety. I go in to work tonight which sometimes brings me back to reality. I will be praying for you as I drive in to work. That is the time I can pray peacefully. I also pray and hope your financial situation willl see a break thru real soon. Thank you for the verse and sharing with me. I sure needed that. Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing if you want. Thanks again!!!!