Journal Entry ~ 08/01/18

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. - James 5:1

Scripture has many warnings about the dangers of pursuing wealth and worldly things. Where there are many warnings, it is because God knows our hearts well. He knows our tendency to long for the things of the world, so He reminds us frequently not to fall for it. 

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking if we just had a little more money, things would be so much easier. So we go after it. We do those things to make us more money - perhaps it’s work more, get more education, perhaps it’s to engage in some questionable practices or maybe we hoard our savings. However we go about it, if our focus is on getting more money, we’re opening the door to temptation from the enemy. 

It’s true that God calls us to be good stewards of the money we have - we should not foolishly be handing it out or racking up a ton of debt to have material things we don’t even deserve, but the focus of our energy should not be how we can make more money. If our hearts desire more money, then we are not content with the financial situation God has placed us in.

Discontent breeds such sin in our lives. It’s the driving force behind the heart issues that entice and lure us into temptation. If we could just recognize the discontent, we could see all those things we place before Him on the throne of our hearts.  

You are exactly where God wants you right now. He wants you to see that He is all you need. As long as you are looking to something else to bring that contentment, He’s going to let you continue to squirm and struggle. 

God has allowed me to go to the very ends of my financial means to know that He alone provides everything in His timing. He took my husband’s job, my house, my cars, and my credit. Initially, I was frustrated. We were trying to live a Godly life, it didn’t make sense why we were losing our house. But God has a beautiful lesson in that trial for my husband and myself. When we finally surrendered our finances to Him, when I finally gave up my hold on the house and lifestyle that had become my idol, when I clung to the promise that He would provide us with everything we need, I began to find a freedom I had never known. He showed up faithful with such abundant blessings, in so many different ways, that I look back on the foolish years I lived bondage to my finances and shake my head at myself. 

I am so thankful for the lessons He taught me during those lean years. The contentment He brought to my heart has resulted in the peace that surpasses all understanding. 


Press on ~ you are loved 💗

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