Visible & Invisible
"Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you." (Luke 11:9)
As is written in these words from Jesus, there are actions we can take that are visible and invisible to move us forward. In seeking to be free of debt, let's begin with what is visible.
Know where you are:
- List all of your monthly bills along with their required minimum monthly payments.
- For one month, track all of your spending. This is a vital step for you to know exactly where your money is going. Most people - including myself, were stunned to see where it went. It is like an X-Ray showing what we lost track of as it was spent.
- Begin by paying only the minimum monthly payment to each debt, and applying what is left over to the debt which has the smallest total balance.
- Once that smallest debt is retired, go onto the next debt that now has the smallest total balance, and so on. You will be encouraged as you see the number of debts reduced and be strengthened to continue the effort.
Maximize what you have:
- Bring coffee, lunch or drinks with you instead of purchasing from vending machines, convenience stores and restaurants.
- For groceries, read the sales ads and coupons, try generic brands and buying in bulk, shop with a list and stick to it, leave the kids at home during shopping.
- Use dining coupons, Groupons and Entertainment books along with signing up on restaurant websites and loyalty clubs. View it as they are paying you to eat at their place.
- Check out Craigslist and other sites for enormous savings on pre-owned items.
- Research raising insurance deductibles for auto, home and medical coverage.
Let's look at some of what we can do that is invisible:
- Think and meditate on His Word. In doing so we will find ourselves more molded to His image, receiving strength and being inflexible to temptation to overspend.
- Ask God for wisdom. In James 1:5 it says if we are deficient in wisdom to ask of the giving God, who gives to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly... and it will be given to him.
- Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit when faced with a sizable purchase decision. We'll be led forth by peace and also know when to pause and wait for direction.
- In prayer, casting our cares on Him is written in 1 Peter 5:7. While in Ephesians 3:20 it declares He is able to carry out superabundantly above all that we can ask or think.
Now, compare what is visible versus what is invisible. We'll see that item in the store or on our screen - it's visible. We have to believe in something - our desire for that "thing", even if it overextends us... or to believe in what is the wise thing to do in light of our goals to be free of debt and obedient to God.
What's invisible is what's going to change our course, to overcome. Lastly, project yourself making wise choices about over spending on things - which are all temporary, by recalling this verse:
"Consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are brief and fleeting, but the things that are invisible are everlasting." (2 Corinthians 4:18)
God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,
Paul
