Regain a clear perspective....
I feel like that is what God is wanting me to do these days. He has been doing such an amazing work in my heart over the last month.
For several months now he has been telling me to be a better steward. Not only of my finances, but of everything He has blessed me with. My job, time, friends, family, health, etc. I feel that I have been doing a great job of being a better steward in all areas...but we all know God will allow trials to enter our lives in order to stretch us as individuals and make us more mature in the physical realm as well as the spiritual.
Well, Friday July 30th my income dropped over $12,000.00 year. This is a significant amount of my net income. This happening at a time when my insurance renewal is due, vehicle maintenance is rapidly approaching, the need for new tires seem to be on the horizon, and that is just expenses related to my car! Needless to say, this is one of those trials. It was extremely discouraging initially, but I have an amazing peace about it now. This peace could only come from God being that my income is now less than my expenses. However, I know that God is my provider and I will get through this.
Two to three years ago I would have allowed this trial to become a temptation with my thoughts. I would have gotten discouraged and likely gone to a bar to try to medicate with alcohol to "make it all better". I am not talking about going on a drinking spree and finding myself passed out in a gutter somewhere or waking up in the back of a truck with a new tattoo. No, not that kind of medicating. Simply going to the bar and having a few drinks which would then likely lead to a few cigarettes and too little sleep before waking up the next morning for work. Some of you may say, "What's the harm in that?" Well, as a result of those actions I would have spent money that I should be utilizing for groceries, fuel, rent, etc. It was a vicious cycle that I still sometimes wonder how I got through. Now I realize that the way out of temptation is to endure it as a trial, never allow your thoughts to turn it into a temptation by taking every thought captive, and endure all trials with joy!
So now I ask you...do you too need to regain a clear perspective of things?
For several months now he has been telling me to be a better steward. Not only of my finances, but of everything He has blessed me with. My job, time, friends, family, health, etc. I feel that I have been doing a great job of being a better steward in all areas...but we all know God will allow trials to enter our lives in order to stretch us as individuals and make us more mature in the physical realm as well as the spiritual.
Well, Friday July 30th my income dropped over $12,000.00 year. This is a significant amount of my net income. This happening at a time when my insurance renewal is due, vehicle maintenance is rapidly approaching, the need for new tires seem to be on the horizon, and that is just expenses related to my car! Needless to say, this is one of those trials. It was extremely discouraging initially, but I have an amazing peace about it now. This peace could only come from God being that my income is now less than my expenses. However, I know that God is my provider and I will get through this.
Two to three years ago I would have allowed this trial to become a temptation with my thoughts. I would have gotten discouraged and likely gone to a bar to try to medicate with alcohol to "make it all better". I am not talking about going on a drinking spree and finding myself passed out in a gutter somewhere or waking up in the back of a truck with a new tattoo. No, not that kind of medicating. Simply going to the bar and having a few drinks which would then likely lead to a few cigarettes and too little sleep before waking up the next morning for work. Some of you may say, "What's the harm in that?" Well, as a result of those actions I would have spent money that I should be utilizing for groceries, fuel, rent, etc. It was a vicious cycle that I still sometimes wonder how I got through. Now I realize that the way out of temptation is to endure it as a trial, never allow your thoughts to turn it into a temptation by taking every thought captive, and endure all trials with joy!
So now I ask you...do you too need to regain a clear perspective of things?
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