By Tanya Jolliffe
During my internship year, I was one of the fortunate ones that received a monthly stipend. That was by God’s grace, just as it was by His grace that I received a scholarship to attend a private college to play volleyball. While I was grateful for the $420 monthly allowance, it wasn’t much to live on.
I found an efficiency apartment near the hospital for $210 a month, leaving me half of the stipend for food, gas, laundry, and bills. There were no cell phones or internet, so my bills were minimal. My parents blessed me with the use of a used car and covered the insurance, so all I had to do was keep it fueled and running. The hospital offered a daily meal special in the cafeteria for less than $1.50 for a complete meal. I would spend $3.00 for a nutritious lunch and dinner many days, ensuring I was eating well and reducing the grocery bill.
While there wasn’t a lot of money for “extra” things like restaurant dining or movies. Those extras made date night with my then-boyfriend and now husband of almost 34 years even more special. While the budget was tight each month, it always worked out. There was always enough. That year, I learned an important lesson that has carried me through tight times. God’s math and our math are not the same.
This lesson is biblical as well. In Proverbs 8:20-21 we read, “I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.” Philippians 4:19 teaches us, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” In Proverbs 10:22, we read, “The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and adds no trouble to it.” In Proverbs 13:22, we are reminded, “The sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.”
Many people have a story or two of their own that come to mind when they think about a time when they struggled to make ends meet. Maybe that was in college or when you started “adulting.” Perhaps you faced a layoff or medical situation that limited income that caused you to scrape by.
With the economic stress in our country and world these days, it is essential to remember those times and use them as a reminder of the goodness of God. As the food bills continue to climb, it costs more and more to fill the tank, and you have all the back-to-school costs. It can be easy to become anxious and worried that there won’t be enough.
Remembering that God has worked things out for you and your family in the past can significantly reduce anxiety through gratitude. You offer appreciation and thankfulness for all that God has brought you through as you appreciate what you have today instead of worrying about what you might not have tomorrow. Matthew 6:34 teaches us, “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” We rob today of its joy with worry about tomorrow.
Don’t give the enemy the satisfaction of robbing your joy or causing you to forget the blessings you have received in the past and all the ways God has provided. Instead, choose to remember. Remember the times that have worked out, the bad things that didn’t happen, the way God miraculously multiplied when you were sure there wouldn’t be enough. Then draw on God’s peace as outlined in Philippians 3:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”
Choose to remember today that you are the child of the most high God, and he is for you, not against you. He is waiting for you to ask Him for help and seek his word for answers. And as you do, remember when He was there for you before and be thankful as you wait for him to do it again.
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