September 21
Scripture focus: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 (The Message)
In the last few days we've been picking apart my friend's assumption that the root of all her evil is bad boundaries. I appreciate her willingness to share this with you. I want to end this little mini-series on a positive note, because there is one! Although my friend still would tell you that she is struggling to get the relationship stuff down, she has taken a big leap of faith (and trust) in the area of personal finances. Her debt got so big and her consequences so distressing that she eventually asked a few trusted advisors to help. This mentoring relationship did not start off particularly well. At first, she had trouble telling the truth. She minimized and balked at taking meaningful action. She had a lot of excuses for why now wasn't a good time to take responsibility for her financial situation. But her mentoring team was patient, and she was in deep trouble, so the truth came out in dribs and drabs. Fortunately, her counselors were wise. (They didn't go into these meetings with expectations that a quick fix was eminent. They did, however, have a sense of expectancy about what God could and would do if this young woman would ask, seek and knock. This kept them patient and calm.) They reminded her that trusting God means taking the next right step, not clicking your heels together and hoping for the best -- even if you cover it in prayer! Her mentors advised her to start praying and asking for things like willingness, honesty and the removal of stubborn defects of character. While she prayed, she was asked to work. Here are some of the steps she took:
- She kept a detailed account of every penny she spent. This helped her be honest and provided the team with the information they needed to support her financial recovery program.
- Weekly the team discussed her money "journal" -- and feedback was given. She listened.
- She stopped using charge cards and went to a "cash only" system to help her with personal accountability.
- She stopped eating out, dropping by her local specialty shop for expensive coffees, and buying prepared foods. She began packing lunches. She didn't treat herself to new shoes every time she felt a little blue.
- She was coached on debt consolidation.
- She added a part time job to her schedule.
- She gave up cable, her cell phone and an expensive gym membership. (But she is walking an hour a day and strength training three times a week at home.)
Are all her financial woes behind her? Not quite. More on how she's doing with this new recovery program in tomorrow's devotional.
Recommended reading: Nehemiah 11-13
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