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As we all know, life’s struggles are real. We all have them and when we are going through them, if you are anything like me, you ask lots of questions like:

  • Why is this trial happening to me?
  • When will this trial end?
  • What can I do to move forward and get out of this trial?

Since we would like to focus more on the financial struggles during our time together today, we know that the reality of financial struggles can be:

  • A very short term.
  • A season of life.
  • Or it could be a long term financial struggle.

 

Why do some have financial struggles?

Now, we cannot cover each and every reason, but let’s speak to a few of the bigger reasons for financial difficulty:

  • Decreased income:
    • Due to job change
    • Unemployment
  • Home ownership (unexpected major repairs)
  • Educational choices (educational debt)
  • Health issues 
    • Accident (physical and/or sickness)
  • Car accident 
  • Poor choices…not living within your means (your income)
  • Identity wrapped up in our income…jobs…family…that can be a problem…

 

When someone goes through financial struggles, what are some non-financial impacts?  (https://www.helpguide.org/)

  • Lack of, or low quality sleep
  • Physical ailments 
  • Marital/relationship tensions
  • Weight loss…or gain
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Forming unhealthy coping methods

 

How would one re-steer this seemingly sinking ship of financial struggles and find joy?

Here are three sequential parts needed in moving toward…and having joy amidst financial struggles.  Here are the three points to remember…

  • A New Heart (Salvation and restoration through Jesus)
  • A Renewed Mind (A renewed mind and attitude toward Biblical Stewardship principles)
  • A Transformed Life (Sanctification)

Let’s breakdown each of these areas:

 

A New Heart:

Joy is not a temporary that depends on the circumstances that are happening around us, but it is given to us by Christ Himself!

Here is what Jesus told his disciples right before he went to the cross:

Jesus said “you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (John 16:20) and even though “you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” (John 16:24). 

 

”…no one will take your joy” – Jesus

 

So, what is this joy, and how can you get this joy that can never be taken from you?

  • It is faith in Jesus!
    • You cannot have full and everlasting joy apart from a personal relationship with Jesus!  
      • Happiness will come and go, for that is an external situation or circumstance that puts a smile on your face and heart.
      • Joy is deeply rooted in the heart, mind and soul.  It is a way you see life and the circumstances that are around you, knowing that all this around us is temporary, and we have eternity to look forward to.
  • Do you want to have joy amidst your financial struggles?  If so, you need first to trust in Jesus.
    • Here is a simple way, as easy as ABC:
      • Accept that you are a sinner.
      • Believe that Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins.
      • Confess your belief in God through prayer.
  • So, your “heart transplant” is done by God when you believe/trust in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
  • When this happens in your life, you now have the capacity and the capability to live a life of JOY, no matter what happens to, or around you!

 

A Renewed Mind:

Galatians 5:19–20 (ESV) – “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions…” (and more)

This is how we naturally behave!  And with this state of mind, our progress in our financial struggles would totally be on our own and without the presence and guidance of the Lord!  

You and I need to take what the Scriptures say about truth, both here on earth and eternal truth, and start to put it into process. We need to start applying the Word of God in our lives, especially in the realm of stewardship and personal finances. This is why we need a renewed mind…a renewing our mind by God!

We will speak to some specifics of application in our next point, but here are a few good verses on the reason or the “why” we need a renewed mind:

  • Romans 12:2 (NIV84) – Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
  • Philippians 4:8 (NIV84) – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
  • Colossians 3:2 (ESV) – Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

These are just a few verses of many that we can bring attention to pertaining to our need of brain surgery!  We are so easily focused on the here and now, on our issues and circumstances, that we need a renewed mind by the Holy Spirit of God and His Word in order to not keep focus on the issues that we are dealing with pertaining our personal finances.  

  • A Biblical Worldview of Stewardship
    • We need to get into the Word of God and see what He says about money, finances and stewardship!
    • One  key thing that we need to learn immediately is that God owns everything, including what you “have.”
      • Psalm 24:1 (ESV) – “The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.”
      • We are the stewards, God is the owner!
    • As you learn various Biblical Stewardship truths, one needs to start the process of applying them to their daily life
    • Learning to be faithful in what the Lord has placed in our stewardship responsibility

This “renewed mind” is life-long, and should start immediately after our salvation, and it will continue for our lifetime!

 

A Transformed Life (Habits of Joyful Living): 

Life transformation is the practical application, and fruit, of what we read and learn from the Word of  God.

  • Live on your income (within your means)
    • Or below your income
  • Generosity
    • Giving to the local church
    • Giving to those in need
  • Prepare for the future (saving)
    • Short term and long term savings
  • Get accountability
    • For those who have believed the lies of the enemy, and the fruit of those lies are being born out in their lives, accountability is an essential part of their discipleship. 
    • Who? Spouse, friend, church leader, financial advisor?

My worth is not in what I own, not in the strength of flesh and bone. But in the costly wounds of love at the cross. As summer flowers we fade and die, fame, youth, and beauty hurry by. But life eternal calls to us at the cross. I will not boast in wealth or might, or human wisdom’s fleeting light. But I will boast in knowing Christ at the cross. Two wonders here that I confess, my worth and my unworthiness. My value fixed, my ransom paid at the cross.

I rejoice in my redeemer, greatest treasure, wellspring of my soul. And I will trust in him, no other. My soul is satisfied in him alone.

 

Some Final Thoughts for this Journey

James 1:2–4 (ESV) – “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

  • Check your attitude.
    • Your attitude affects the outcome.
    • Discouragement will be your downfall, and potentially your depression
  • Shift thinking toward gratitude.
  • Pray…pray…pray…and even pray some more!
  • Seek outside wisdom and guidance.
  • 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV84) – “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
  • RESULT: – Joy (not happiness…which is short lived) in the midst, and through the financial struggles!

 

You are not alone through this journey of finding joy amidst your financial struggles.

Matthew 6:25–34 (ESV)

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

 

 

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The topics discussed in this podcast are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations.  Investing and investment strategies involve risk including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. 

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