God’s Calm Over Finances

April happens to be Financial Literacy month and it is quite clear that Financial Literacy is a necessity in the world we live in today. From mass corporate layoffs to banks crashing to housing market highs, financial knowledge and stability can be a scary ordeal, leaving many in financial distress and periods of worry concerning their next steps. This ultimately affects how many show up for themselves, their families and even their work.

It is times like these where we need a Savior named Jesus to help us clear our minds and keep us focus on properly stewarding what we have. I am reminded of Mark 4:35-41:

“On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

When we look around, it may seem there is a financial hurricane sweeping through, but it is up to us to remember that Jesus brings calm, brings protection, and sees to every one of our needs.

I can remember, experiencing a financial hardship. I had feelings of shame, hopelessness and even depression because it felt like one financial challenge after the other. It was if I could not get ahead of debt, that I had more month than money, and that there was no room to reserve anything. I remember praying and asking God for direction and was quickly reminded of my lack of stewardship over the things I had been given. I was reminded that I needed to clean up unnecessary spending and focus more on priorities and what’s needed to live. The moment I began to rely on God’s direction, my faith was reignited and I began to feel a relief because I had reduced the clutter in my spending habits.

In this season, let’s all be more cognizant of relying on God’s direction as it pertains to our finances. There is one thing for sure, God is smarter than us. Even when there are winds and waves beating against our boats, His plan and direction prevails when we trust Him. Remember that you are not alone in this and when you lean on the Father you will experience peace, calm and clarity in your next steps.

As an added measure of support, I have included three resources that discuss what we as Christians can do to keep our finances in tact and clutter free.