 |
Trials of Time and Money Time and money are intrinsically linked. When you owe money, payments must be made at certain times. Invested money earns interest based on time. You are paid for time at work. The connections are obvious and the ramifications can be extensive when your time and money are out of sync. Being short of time, money or both can send you into a spiritual and emotional tail spin. Every one of us has experienced it at some point. You lose your job and are out of work for a few months. Or it can be a medical problem, vehicle breakdown of major proportion, or other urgent family need for which there are insufficient (or no) savings. All at once, you're facing a trial. You need money and there is no time or no way to earn it. If you're employed and have good credit, you may borrow it, leading to yet another time - money problem. If not, you may have to ask for charity or just do without and face the consequences, dire as they are. Either way, stress mounts, pressure builds and you may begin to wonder why God hasn't done anything about it... Consider this original writing by Brian Grillo:
Notice the focus here. "Nothing can stop the praises I sing," writes Brian who like Paul can rejoice amid the trials and even because of them. This isn't an article about how to forestall fiscal emergencies, this is an article about how to triumph over them through faith and humility. Nothing is more humbling it seems than enduring a time - money crisis for which the only solution is admitting utter defeat. In our materialistic society, success, personal value and esteem are seemingly predicated on financial solvency and all its trappings. Others, whose opinions you value, may deem you a failure and say "I told you so," when your situation becomes evident or you are forced to ask for help. Even fellow Christians, like Job's well meaning friends, may be harsh and unfeeling about your plight, preferring to deliver lectures than understanding. What a blow to your pride it is to be labeled a failure because of a fiscal disaster which may have been completely beyond your control! But God is there. He hears your prayers. He feels your pain. Wounded spirits, broken hearts, needy people. These are never far from His heart, and you can rest in total assurance that He has the situation well under control. You may not see the solution to your crisis because you cannot see the mind of God and cannot know the future as does He. You may have to endure this present disaster, but if that is so there's a good reason and you will ultimately benefit from it in a way only God can now know. Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart, went through numerous financial melt downs before he became one of the most wealthy men in the land. It got so bad that his relatives refused to lend or give him money but for a time fed his family. His reputation was trashed as one after another business effort failed and he could not keep a job. But with each failure, he learned new lessons and applied them toward building a better life and a better business. No matter what the problem, the Lord is faithful and will see you through it. Trust in Him and hold tightly to Him. He is your rod, your staff, your rock and your friend. Talk to Him. Earnestly tell Him your heartfelt woes for He cares for you. And remember, this world is not your home, you're just passing through. No matter how pressing the situation, it is temporary. Focus your heart on learning whatever lesson God may be teaching and above trust His loving wisdom. He'll do what's really best. Finally, begin now to learn what God has to say about finances. Read the Bible and get some Christian financial books or counseling. Graphics, Design
& Hosting by Web4Christ Ministries Home | Webzine | Archives |
Resources Author: Iona Hoeppner |
