A while ago I was meeting with a client to help her input the upcoming month’s budget. She got everything inputted and balanced to zero (as it should). She then asked me how to handle the budget for the month after that because she didn’t have enough money coming in to cover all of her expenses. I told her that we only focus on one month at a time and that we will look at that month once we get past this one. I explained to her a truth I have found in my own life and I knew would be true for her as well. I said that I have learned to only look at one month at a time. That when I look too far forward I stress about the next month instead of being thankful to God for providing all my needs for the current month.
So how do we trust God? Same way as we trust anyone…we get to know them personally, we know that they are dependable and we know that they are there for us.
#1: Get to know God personally. God wants to have a personal relationship with us. He wants to spend time with us and for us to get to know who He is in a real relationship. Romans 5:8 states “ But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. When we spend time reading His word and in prayer, God will reveal to us who He is and how much He loves us and wants what is best for us.
#2: Remember when God has been faithful. There are many times in the Bible where God reminds His people of His faithfulness. I know personally there have been times when I have forgotten all God has done for me and my family and I start a pity party for myself. When I stop focusing on “poor me” and remind myself of all the amazing things God has done personally in my life, it reminds me of what a dependable God He is and how He never changes.
#3: Read about how God feels about you. Satan wants you to believe that you are not worthy of God and His love, but that is a lie! My life verse is Jeremiah 29:11-13 which says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” What I love about these verses is that God is taking care of me and has plans for my future, He listens to me and promises that I will find Him when I am in need of Him.
When I met with my client the next month to do the budget for the month she was stressed about previously, the first thing she told me was that God had provided for the month. That she didn’t worry about it and she gave it to God and He took care of her and her family. I knew He would.
Whatever struggle you’re going through, whether financial or something else, remember that God is walking alongside you, even when you feel alone.