Got Financial Concerns in Your Life?…and a Marital Oneness Monday Link Up!

Lately I’ve been receiving more and more emails from wives sharing about their money problems and the strains it has placed on their marriages.  Now of course I can totally understand this concern being that my Beloved and I have lived through an IRS audit, was dragged through a lawsuit, had our home foreclosed upon, couldn’t afford to pay rent for the rental home we were living in, and then we had to live with friends.  But other than those few minor hiccups in our marriage, I totally get the strains these problems can place upon your marital union.  Yes, I said minor hiccups with complete sarcasm!

Many women have shared with me their struggles and fears because I’ve been very open about all of mine.  No sense in wearing a mask portraying that my life is perfect.  It does you and I no good.  And by doing so, in essence, we’re telling the whole world that we’ve got everything under control.  Hmmm, kinda sounds like we have no need of a Savior with an approach like that, now doesn’t it?  Quite honestly though, I chose this path of openness and transparency because, well, the Lord told me to do so.   And being that I have a heart to come alongside the wounded, weary, and worried woman, it just makes plain sense to share my pain and life so others can identity with me, which in turn, allows me to minister in Jesus’ name.  So this brings me to today…

I kinda feel like I can write a book on the topic of financial struggles based on all that I’ve lived through but instead I’m going to write a series on this stuff so you can be encouraged and equipped in your mess life.

Now generally on Mondays I write to the married women. Well, today I will still address the married’s, however, this series can be used for singles and/or future brides as well.  So stay with me because what I’m sharing will help you too.

And if you’re new to The Alabaster Jar, I encourage you to subscribe to receive my future posts on this extremely important and sometimes, hair-raising, hmmm, maybe that should say, ‘hair-losing and hair-pulling topic’ instead??

• The 3 Root Causes that Feed Your Financial Concerns- this is what I’m covering today.
• Are You Living in Financial Uncertainty?
• How to Obtain Financial Security
• Dealing with Our Attitudes–  In this post I’m going to equip you in your countenance, which is a biblical word for our attitudes.  Often times our view of money can turn us into monsters, or more like Bridezillas!  Plus, I want to help you stay connected to your husband rather than view him with utter disrespect when you’re experiencing financial woes.

Now let’s dig into today’s topic!

Got Financial Concerns?

Welcome to the club!  I would imagine there are a lot of members in this said club especially in today’s economy.  Here are the country clubs that I’ve been attending and experiencing, and perhaps you’ve been to these places as well!

I know what it’s like to have our electricity turned off because we couldn’t pay the bills.
I know what it’s like to not have much food in our pantry and not know when we can buy more.
I know what it’s like to not know where we’ll get money for our medications.
I know what it’s like to not have health insurance and a loved one is in need of medical attention.  A trip to the ER can really set a wife over the emotional edge and cause a great amount of anxiety!
I know what it’s like to have only a few bucks in our pockets and there’s no work on the horizon.
I know what it’s like to not know where we’re going to live.
I know what it’s like to forget where my home is.  I’m so not kidding on this one!  We moved so many times in such a short time that as I drove through town and my brain was on autopilot, I actually drove to the wrong house!
I know what it’s like to question where God is in all that we’re going through.
I know what it’s like to say, Is God’s grace really enough, like the song says, when in reality my boy needs shoes because he’s got holes in the bottom of his soles and it’s raining outside.
I know what it’s like to feel uncertainty, fear, exhaustion, anger, despair, apathy, and frustration.  I also know what it’s like to feel forgotten and forsaken.  I was well acquainted with all those words and emotions for years on end.

And I know what it’s like to experience long-suffering.  Rather I should venture to say life-suffering!

For the Love of Money…

Most Believers know the Bible says that the love of money is the root of all evil. (1 Timothy 6:10) Now it’s probably hard to think that we love money when we’re just trying to pay the mortgage/rent and put food on the table, right?  Come on now, it’s not like we’re asking the Lord to give us some money so we can buy a new car or go on some elaborate vacation.  Yet, looking back over the last 5 years of our financial storms, the Lord not only taught me a few things from our experiences but He also revealed to me a few things  about the concept of money and the love I have had for it.

Then he said to the woman, “I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you.  Genesis 3:16 (NLT)

Live a poured out life for Christ,

Jolene Engle