See about 5 years ago we were in a dreadful state. After just one year of marriage we dug ourselves into a deep pit of debt. We started over, sold our little mobile home and moved into an apartment. We started living in our means but still saved nothing. By this time we felt we could handle a morgate payment while paying off the debt we had accumulated. But much to our dismay, the banker laughed us out of her office. See informed us we would never be able to purchase a home... Unless we made triple what we were making.
We were very discouraged, after all we had changed most of our habits and were "comfortable" with our situation. Thankfully some friends of ours were looking for tenants, so we moved into a wonderful home for a more than fair price. This move allowed us to pay off all of our remaining credit card debt, cars, all but student loans. We once again looked into purchasing a home and were turned down. Discouraged again we went up and down, spending, not spending. Basically growing up financially through lots of mistakes.
God knew we weren't ready for a morgate. Even when we were finally approved for a home loan, plans kept falling through. Homes we wanted sold in record time, causing us to eventually reexamine our list of "must haves".
We are now under contract. I'm amazed. I can't believe we have come this far. The home is not what I thought it would be, but it's what God wants it to be. And that's really all that matters. It may fall through, but we gave God the reins, so I'm not worried. Hes much better at driving than we are. His sense of direction is out of this world! I trust wherever he takes us.
I hope this encourages you who are needing a fresh start. There is no depth or pit (financial, addiction, anything) nothing that He cannot overcome. You must learn to not care... Not care if live or die, have a house or a card board box, eat rice or steak. You must care that every action or "transaction" honors God. If you are in a financial pit, pray before every purchase (even if it is $0.25) ask God if it is worthy of spending his money on (it's all God's anyway). If your pit is food pray before it goes in your shopping cart or your mouth. God numbers the hairs on your head, he cares for every part of you. Don't let anything be too small for him. And be encouraged, if you make a mistake God is quick to forgive. It has taken 5 years to undo one year of damage. And we have to maintain every time a paycheck comes or a credit card offer. Be honest about your weaknesses. The shame is in the sin while it is being commited. There is no shame in seeking help, or being honest about God's power to overcomeweakness. Building Faith is a process that is well worth the work!
"11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope-the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."
-Titus 2:11-14
(It says "under contract"!!!!!!!)
