Reflection
Debt in America is a massive problem as statistics show the average American holds 50% more debt today than a decade ago, and the number continues to rise.
Look Back
When I crashed and burned at the age of 28, we carried significant debt and lived off of credit cards for the first couple of years of my sobriety while we got our feet back. (I created the debt–not my wife).
A crucial part of my recovery included getting out of debt because the fears associated with debt were dangerous to my sobriety.
Once I could return to work full-time, my wife and I decided our first step in getting out of debt was to give 10% of our earnings back to our church and others in need. I know this doesn’t make sense, but God doesn’t always make sense. If you want to grow your faith–try doing all the “nonsensical” things God tells you to do. 🙂
After faithfully tithing (giving at least 10% of our earnings to God and His people) and reducing our debt over twenty years, the feeling I had when my wife and I said goodbye to debt forever was better than any feeling any drug ever gave me during my dark days as an addict.
Solution
If you are drowning in debt and don’t know where to start, try this:
- Give at least 10% of your income to God, whether it be a church or a cause that helps His people. DO THIS FIRST.
- Write down all your expenses and compare them to your income.
- Reduce your expenses and increase your income so that your expenses make up no more than 80% of your income.
- Take 10% of what is leftover and save it for a rainy day.
- But most importantly, begin filling the void in your soul with God through prayer instead of things.
- Also, check out www.crown.org.
Luke 14:28 (NIV), “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it.”
Reflection:
What beliefs, thoughts, and actions cause you to struggle with debt?
Additional Scripture to read and reflect upon:Â Proverbs 22:7, Romans 13:8, 1 Timothy 6:10
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
