Can't Afford To Live!

[JoeinPA]

To make a long(life)story short,I am out of work since last month-unemployment benefits are exhausted,have no assets,savings,credit,or loaners. Nothing to sell,etc.
I am broke,done,kaput.
I've done everything possible and am at the end of my rope(as if I haven't been for years now).
And yes I have prayed and still nothing.
I keep thinking I am being punished for something and even thinking this may be my 'purgatory on earth'.
So it's down to one of two options,either a last minute miracle or I'll just go down in flames and perhaps if I am not being punished that maybe things will be better on the other side.

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

I'm sorry you're going through such a difficult time. While it may feel like a punishment, I would be more likely to think that it's a situation that is challenging, that God can use to get our attention.

I'm not unemployed, but I've been on FMLA since the 2nd week of October, so I too have no income coming in at this time. I have enough to pay Nov. rent and utilities and then I have no clue where those expenses will come from if I can't get back to work soon. I understand the frustration of being broke (years ago I lived in a tent and in my car due to no $) and the worry of finances.

I would encourage you to utilize whatever options you have available, even if that means going to a mission/shelter for a place to be until you can get on your feet. I don't know about men, but I used to volunteer at a shelter for women, and the women who stayed there had great opportunities that the staff assisted them with (applying for assistance, work/education training, budgeting skills, etc.) depending upon their situation and needs.

I know my situation is different from yours because I do still have a job to go back too. During this time I've spent a lot of time in prayer, and I've really been given a wake up call about what others may struggle with that I really couldn't relate too before. Sometimes God answers no, even when we really want a yes. It's not punishment, it's called a sinful world with pain.

While it's an old cliche... when you've hit the bottom, there's no way to go but up. It sounds like you're feeling you are at the bottom... what are your options? What haven't you been willing to try that you could try?

By stating, "or I'll just go down in flames", it sounds like you're saying you're thinking of suicide. That isn't an answer... financial difficulties are temporary (I do know this from experience), and while challenging, are something we can restore over time. Perhaps you need to talk with a pastor or counselor about how bad you are feeling.

I hope this doesn't sound like I have all the answers, because I don't. But I've been in the pit of financial destitution, and I've been in the woes of suicidal ideation and neither is an easy place to return from.. but there is hope for both to improve, no matter how bad it feels or seems.

In Him,
Kristen

 

[Angeldove97]

Hi Joe,
I know I personally don't have all the answers as to why God puts us though certain trials in our lives. I've personally have asked God this often when I'm hurting the worse---why am I suffering like this? What lesson does this teach me?

But we are still God's creation and every day I strive to do my best for Him. So please, don't give in to feeling as if there's no way you can go on and that He won't eventually help you get out of all this craziness.

There are also Christian organizations that can help people out and even state services that can. Pray that God will show you where to find these resources and start doing a little hunting online as well.

Your spirit won't be at peace if you just decide to give up---I won't get into theology about all this because it can be confusing and messy. But I'm sure God still has amazing things for your life--- you simply have to say that you choose Him, continue to pray, and just keep hoping and having faith. God will answer you in His time, not ours---which is frustrating but He has good reason for it.

God bless you Brother and take care Let us know how you're doing soon!

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

I'm making an assumption based on your username, but here are some PA resources.

Shelters:
Agape Family Shelter
139 S. 9th Street
Lebanon, PA 17042
Phone: (717)272-6573
[SIZE=-1]Bethlehem Haven: Shelter, Food and Clothing (600 Women Only)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Bethesda Mission of Harrisburg: Shelter for Men, Women, and Youth[/SIZE]
611 Reilly Street
Harrisburg, PA 17105
Phone: 717-257-4440
FAX: 717-234-6808
Bethesda Project
700 South 15th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
Phone: (215)985-1600
Brotherhood Mission
401 East Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19114-0239
Phone: (215)739-4517
[SIZE=-1]City Mission/New Life Center[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]1023 French[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Erie, PA 16512[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Phone: (814)452-4452[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]City Rescue Mission[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]319 Croton Avenue[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]New Castle, PA 16103[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Phone: (412)652-4321[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]FAX: (412)652-4922[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]East End Cooperative Ministry[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]250 North Highland Avenue[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Pittsburgh, PA 15206[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Phone: 412-361-5549[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]FAX: 412-361-0151[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]East Liberty Soup Kitchen (Valencia)[/SIZE]
EUMA for the Refuge
1001 West 21st Street
Erie, PA 16502
Phone: (814)456-8073
FAX: (814)456-1596
[SIZE=-1]Greater Philadelphia Food Bank[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]HSP of Pittsburgh: Street and River based Outreach, Food, Clothing, etc.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Homeless Shelter Service List for Montgomery County[/SIZE]
Lebanon Rescue Mission
Sixth and Elm Streets
Lebanon, PA 17042
Phone: (717)273-2301
Life Rescue Mission
260 Birch Drive
Levittown, PA 19054
Phone: (215)945-3983
[SIZE=-1]Light of Life Rescue Mission (Pittsburgh)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]10 E. North Avenue[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Pittsburgh, PA 15212[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Phone: 412-258-6100[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]FAX: 412-261-3445[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]Men's Shelter, Food Pantry, & Soup Kitchen[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Pleasant Valley Shelter (Pittsburgh)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Safe Harbor of Greater West Chester: Shelter, Food, Counseling, etc.[/SIZE]
Sunday Breakfast Association
302 N. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19105
Phone: (215)922-6400
FAX: (215)922-5744
Victory Support Services, Inc.
935 N. 42nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 215-382-2938
[SIZE=-1]Washington City Mission (Washington): Emergency Housing and Outreach[/SIZE]
Water Street Rescue Mission
P. O. Box 7267
Lancaster, PA 17604-7267
Phone: 717-393-7709
FAX: 717-393-4966
Whale's Tale
250 Shady Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: (412)661-1800
Whosoever Gospel Mission
101 E. Chelten Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Phone: (215)438-3094

PA Food Stamp Info:
http://www.pahunger.org/html/hunger/ref2.pdf

PA Vocational Rehabilitation Info (for disabled) - don't know if this is a resource available to you based on your post. http://www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/cwp/view.asp?a=128&Q=168262

PA, Wayne County Disadvantaged Job Training Program
http://www.co.wayne.pa.us/?pageid=32

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is an income program of the federal Social Security Administration. SSI has very narrow eligibility requirements, which means the program is difficult to qualify for.
In general, only those with virtually no income and who don’t qualify for other assistance programs may be eligible for SSI. Apply at your local Social Security office.

Churches in PA, though no way to know what they have available without contacting them individually.
http://www.churchangel.com/pennsylvania.htm

 

[JoeinPA]

...While it's an old cliche... when you've hit the bottom, there's no way to go but up. It sounds like you're feeling you are at the bottom... what are your options?

I heard a new cliche...just when I thought I hit rock bottom,along comes a bulldozer

I've actually been down for so long I forgot what it's like to be normal!

Thanks for the story though

 

[JoeinPA]

Thanks for the info but it's kind of tricky. I am married so that rules out most of those options I'm afraid. The way the system is designed,they'll tell me I'm not 'poor enough' due to our total income. My wife does not make enough though to support me as well,so I'm again stuck between a rock and a hard place.

 

[SantasElf]

To make a long(life)story short,I am out of work since last month-unemployment benefits are exhausted,have no assets,savings,credit,or loaners. Nothing to sell,etc.
I am broke,done,kaput.
I've done everything possible and am at the end of my rope(as if I haven't been for years now).
And yes I have prayed and still nothing.
I keep thinking I am being punished for something and even thinking this may be my 'purgatory on earth'.
So it's down to one of two options,either a last minute miracle or I'll just go down in flames and perhaps if I am not being punished that maybe things will be better on the other side.

Work at a fast food place until you can find something better. Many do that.

 

[Lisa0315]

To make a long(life)story short,I am out of work since last month-unemployment benefits are exhausted,have no assets,savings,credit,or loaners. Nothing to sell,etc.
I am broke,done,kaput.
I've done everything possible and am at the end of my rope(as if I haven't been for years now).
And yes I have prayed and still nothing.
I keep thinking I am being punished for something and even thinking this may be my 'purgatory on earth'.
So it's down to one of two options,either a last minute miracle or I'll just go down in flames and perhaps if I am not being punished that maybe things will be better on the other side.

Have you talked to your pastor?

Lisa

 

[JoeinPA]

Work at a fast food place until you can find something better. Many do that.

I even have trouble now getting a job at places like that! Even though I'm 36 and have had a few good jobs,not necessarily ever good paying,but decent. Now it seems I'm regressing and I don't know why,is it just the world now?

 

[JoeinPA]

Have you talked to your pastor?

Is that like 'talking to your doctor'?
Actually I don't have a pastor because I haven't yet found a church around here that I'm comfortable with. I do need to fellowship at least tho.

 

[Lisa0315]

Is that like 'talking to your doctor'?
Actually I don't have a pastor because I haven't yet found a church around here that I'm comfortable with. I do need to fellowship at least tho.

Oh, that is too bad. I wondered why your church had not yet come to your aid.

Lisa

 

[MrFreshdew]

To make a long(life)story short,I am out of work since last month-unemployment benefits are exhausted,have no assets,savings,credit,or loaners. Nothing to sell,etc.
I am broke,done,kaput.
I've done everything possible and am at the end of my rope(as if I haven't been for years now).
And yes I have prayed and still nothing.
I keep thinking I am being punished for something and even thinking this may be my 'purgatory on earth'.
So it's down to one of two options,either a last minute miracle or I'll just go down in flames and perhaps if I am not being punished that maybe things will be better on the other side.

hope ya get a job soon or watever Jesus wants ya to have
Lord Jesus,thankyou 4 providing 4 joe & his family Your way,thankyou that we can pray 4 him too,in Jesus name,Amen.

 

[CyberPaladin]

JoeinPA I empathize with you man. I just lost my job a few weeks ago I'm getting unemployment but still that's barely enough to cover rent so I'm hemorraging cash pretty bad myself with other expenses.

 

[HisdaughterJen]

Heavenly Father, I am agreeing in prayer with MrFreshDew, thanking you in advance for your provision for JoeinPA and his family as well as others who are experiencing this as well. Thank you Lord, in Jesus name! Amen!


Yeah, I don't know why we go through it. When it happens to me, I get really, really depressed to the point where I barely function and pray to just take me home to Him. I don't like when I can't pay my obligations...it makes me feel crummy. Tithing in faith, gratitude and joy works. When you start tithing like it's another bill you owe, then things start to go downhill. Found that out the hard way.

THe economy is in danger too, in my opinion. Skyrocketing gas prices have hit me pretty hard because I make deliveries in my work. The cost of groceries is so high...it's unbelievable...$4 for 1/2 gallon of OJ! Yikes! The decline of the dollar due to foreign nations dumping dollars in favor of Euros isn't good either...I think Iran was the author of this nightmare, as I recall from the news. They dumped the dollar for Euros in trading of oil and others have followed suit to stick it to the U.S. Add the housing slump and we're in a bit of a pickle.

Yeah, I'd rather live in a shoebox and eat popcorn than have to deal with creditors calling 10 times a day.

 

[AWorkInProgress]

To make a long(life)story short,I am out of work since last month-unemployment benefits are exhausted,have no assets,savings,credit,or loaners. Nothing to sell,etc.
I am broke,done,kaput.
I've done everything possible and am at the end of my rope(as if I haven't been for years now).
And yes I have prayed and still nothing.
I keep thinking I am being punished for something and even thinking this may be my 'purgatory on earth'.
So it's down to one of two options,either a last minute miracle or I'll just go down in flames and perhaps if I am not being punished that maybe things will be better on the other side.

Sorta in the same boat. Quit my job to break free of bad working senerio. Had my girlfriend visit by the grace of God, but hurt herself and missed her flight. Burned lot of my own money to get her home.

I did my resume got it out to couple of places, tried to get a night job while I wait. Apply to more places today. Just got set up for Labor ready.

Real struggle to not get lost in meaningless stuff. Like I want to hide from the reality of my problem. Just the stress of not knowing how I am going to make it in next few weeks.

I pray constantly, ask for wisdom of ideas or new work areas I not considered or tried. Part of me resist, but just the fear of the unknown. Really I have to adapt to a work situation instead of work situation adapt to me. Just think the Lord trying to expand my horizens.

Keep making the Lord first in your life. Be thankful for what you do have and help you recieve. Open your heart to new ideas or new work types. Don't rely on your own strength but on his. If I didn't have my faith I be falling appart right now instead of taking advantage of every oppertunity Lord presents me.

I will add you to my prayers.