I once heard that the fastest and easiest way to worship money is to stress over it.
I know that sounds strange, especially when you’re struggling financially because, duh, of course you’re stressed about money! But, that statement resonated deep with me when I was struggling with money because it’s true.
When we are stressed about money, we’re always thinking about it. It’s always on our minds. In fact, many times, our decisions are swayed by money and in my opinion that’s exactly what the warning in 1 Timothy 6:10 was referring to.
So what’s the solution? I mean, it feels practically impossible to not be stressed over money when you are struggling financially so how do you avoid stressing and worshipping money?
I believe it starts with…you guessed it, a budget.
Many argue that when you’re living paycheck to paycheck, you can’t save anything. You can’t budget. You can’t pay off debt. You can’t, you can’t, you can’t.
I believed that too when I was struggling with money and it took an eviction notice on my door to wake me up. I changed my mindset about money and about living paycheck to paycheck and realized that I didn’t have to let my money control me.
Yes, I had to work a second job for a little while but you know what? I survived. It sucked but it wasn’t the end of the world. Sure, I had to come home even more tired and smelling like disgusting food, but in just over a month I was $400 of debt lighter and had put a little bit more wiggle room in my budget.
Start being able to breathe again….financially…
I was starting to be able to breathe again. I kept repeating this process – selling off things that I didn’t need anymore, taking on side hustles and side jobs, and even voluntarily repo’ing my car.
I know paycheck to paycheck is no fun and I know that stressing over money is no fun so I want to encourage you to sit down right now and make a budget (here’s a simple guide to set up a quick budget). If you’re in a point in life where you’re doing well financially and aren’t stressed about money, I ask you to encourage those around you to find peace with money.
Taking control over your financial life isn’t easy but it is unbelievably worth it. Don’t allow the, “when you don’t have money you can’t afford this or that” mentality to take over because yes, right now you might not be able to afford it but ask yourself “how can I afford it” and make a plan to make it happen. Whether that means you’ll have to set aside $5 every paycheck to make it happen or you’ll have to sell off some things, make it happen. You are the only one that can make the changes you need in your financial life.
What advice can you give to someone currently caught up in the cycle of “worshipping” money?
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