i am in debt

[sadistmy]

i am in heavy debt. as much as i try as hard as i try, i cant see any positive signs ahead. prayed i did, take refuge in the scripture and the Lord i have.
seems that i cant avoid the storm. And when it comes, i am quite sure it will send me and my family to the abyss of pain. i am having days and nights of anxiety, crippling fear and sense of lost. i am clinging to faith and hope but as days go by, it has also eroded.

i am praying for a miracle. But money dont just drop from the heavens. i am living on almost nothing now. if this is a test, i am not sure would i survive before the test is over.

The state of mental health i am in and the reason behind my prayers all seem contradictory to the very essence of the Bible.

I have reached the state of praying for some stranger to hand me that check so that me and my family could avoid the storm. But really?

i was saved few months ago. and now i am lost. this would be the lowest pit of my life thus far. i am not sure what is the purpose of my thread here.
Maybe to ask someone for that big check. Or just to take my mind off the coming storm. i am utterly lost, afraid, ashamed and i think i am exactly what the Bible has preach against. how bad can things go for me.

Thoughts of suicide did occur. but i think i am more than that. yet those thoughts keep occurring.

sorry if all these doesnt make sense and it seems like a rant but i really have no where to go, no one else to turn to. And dont get me wrong, i turned to God. Yet here i am and the clock is ticking away. No peace for me.

 

[Harry3142]

Sadistmy-

These words may help alleviate your worry:

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (The Gospel of St. Matthew 6:24-34,NIV)

 

[sadistmy]

thank you Harry 3142.

 

[1watchman]

How in the world did you get into such debt? Was it something tragic that happened, or just carelessness or reckless spending? One needs to face up to their situation, and not expect by praying it will all go away. God expects us to be responsible.

One thing that one should always do, is write to each creditor and explain that serious problems put you into financial crisis, and let them know you will do everything possible to pay something on the debts each month to eliminate them. People need to know you have good intentions, so don't ignore them or you might find yourself in court.

 

[sadistmy]

thank you, 1watchman.

it was a case of failed business venture. and it was coupled with carelessness, reckless and unrealistic targets. looking back, i wasnt prepared to go into that venture.

thank you for the advice. and despite the desperate position i am in, your post cum advice drives it home for me. i can see that God does want me to be responsible and i have tried all means to correct the wrong situation, maybe not hard enough.

i wasnt praying for all these to go away but rather to have a little help so that i can work out a plan to repay everyone back slowly. At this point in time, i do not have the means to even recover what i have lost. All i am looking for is another chance.

I am currently asking friends for loan. my intention was to use the loan and to generate enough money to pay everyone back. i have the ability now as compare to when i first started my business (strange, right?). But i dont have the means and also i do not have the state of mind to do it.

I did actually gain some momentum a month ago and i was starting to pay some of my customers back. But suddenly a family crisis happened and it threw me totally of my 'game'. So here i am again.

i am not praying for everything to go away (although i secretly wish i could), all i asked for is God's favor to bless me with a loan (from friends or anyone), so i can start where i left off.

i am also not ignoring my customers, i keep them in the loop but as days passed, everyone is getting impatient.

The current situation has taken a toll on me and my family is the collateral damage and victims. i tried my very best to leave them out of my emotional swings and i still hold onto God, for hope with faith. i know what is expected from me as a Christian, but i am asking if God could calm the storm or calm me while i am in the storm. of course if He is willing, help me with a loan so that i can get my act together and move on.

i have repented, confessed and hope for that second chance so i can bring myself out of the hole which i dug.

 

[1watchman]

You speak of God, and He is the source of all blessings --but only through His beloved Son (1 Jn. 5:10-12 and John 14:6). Make sure you know and trust the Lord Jesus as Savior and Lord of your life.

You probably have enough experience and skills to work for a good employer, so be looking for every opportunity. Sometimes one can take a small job in a big company, then in time they may promote you to a better place. Be sure to keep your creditors informed of your efforts to pay them so they don't take legal action against you.

 

[David Sylvian]

Okay, focus on God and try and find some friends. You should NOT be thinking of suicide. Debt is just money. The whole country is in IMMENSE debt. I have debt from working as a contractor. I can't pay it right now. I do as I can. Just the way the world works today.

I do not try and run up debt, but I have limited income.

So, now, no credit cards, and I have to trust in God for things like places to live.

I was also in a bad place then...

But been doing fine. If I lose my job or something, God will get me through it, one way or the other.

You have to depend on God -- and that can often mean through other people whom God works through.

Focus on being loved and loving, not on money.


If you have problems finding friends or love in your world, then talk about that... that is where you should be focused, it is what life is about.

 

[sadistmy]

thanks guys !

yes, look up to God and not look around at the problems i have. focus on being loved.
Will keep my eyes on Jesus and not the storms ahead.

 

[parsley]

i wasnt praying for all these to go away but rather to have a little help so that i can work out a plan to repay everyone back slowly. At this point in time, i do not have the means to even recover what i have lost. All i am looking for is another chance.

Sorry to hear that.
Keep in mind that the process --however long -- can also be a good testament to your character and to God's glory. Live poverty well.

it was a case of failed business venture. and it was coupled with carelessness, reckless and unrealistic targets. looking back, i wasnt prepared to go into that venture.

I've lived with self-employment for many years, and know that debt is not a matter of blame. People steal from you, refuse payment, demand reductions in estimates, don't take care of what you provided them, take advantage of lawsuits when they don't need to.

Employees come in late or burn up productive time, take supplies home, start their own businesses with your clientele. Some ventures have a very low profit margin.

And then there are taxes, insurances, gas increases... many things contribute to small business failure. I think the biggest reason small businesses fail, is that owners don't admit that small businesses fail. Everyone thinks they are invincible, and can overcome the odds.

You sound very stressed. I have found that when I come across stressed, it makes others stressed, and they are less likely to help me. That makes little sense, but consider relaxing more. Breathing deep. Enjoying sunshine and a walk. Speaking positively, so others say "Wow he has strength to rebound -- I need strength like his."

Not that you need to be fake. But when people sense a drag, they pull away...so it will help your future to set aside the desperation when you're with people who can help you.

It's a long haul to restore yourself from debt, but you can do it slowly. Appreciate what you have, stay responsible, and it will come back together.

Debt is just money. The whole country is in IMMENSE debt.

I think that's what people were getting at, above -- especially with scriptures. We tend to feel that once finances are in order, then we can live our lives normally. That doesn't always happen the way we plan.

May it go well for you!

 

[sadistmy]

thank you Parsley.

 

[parsley]

This weekend's crisis on the biz homefront, a client who rewrote the original estimate and added a giant pile of legal/insurance papers to sign, with waiver of their liability in all matters, and hundreds of man-hours worth of additional work to come under the same proposed price. As though we were overcharging, or they simply didn't care what happened on our end. People will push the limits where they can.

I hope that something comes your way that restores your spirit and provides a fast catch-up.

 

[sadistmy]

for the past 3 weeks, i was blessed with sums of money from friends to tie me over this difficult period. things might not have turn for the better instantly but definitely it is turning. My prayers were not all answered but God definitely has not abandon me. All i ask now is for God to give me the strength, courage and resolve to ride through this storm. i accept my situation and i want to make right what i had done wrong. i thank God for giving me this second chance. It may not be easy but i can see the light ahead. Thank you Lord.

 

[parsley]

That is so nice of them! And such a relief. When God is our source, we can be less dependent on the logical solutions and more hopeful. Not beating a dead horse, as they say.

 

[thesunisout]

for the past 3 weeks, i was blessed with sums of money from friends to tie me over this difficult period. things might not have turn for the better instantly but definitely it is turning. My prayers were not all answered but God definitely has not abandon me. All i ask now is for God to give me the strength, courage and resolve to ride through this storm. i accept my situation and i want to make right what i had done wrong. i thank God for giving me this second chance. It may not be easy but i can see the light ahead. Thank you Lord.

Hallelujah! He is faithful. Continue to trust the Lord for the provision you need; it may not look like what you think it is supposed to look like at the time, though. Know that He cares about what you're going through and He will guide you through it. God bless.

 

[sadistmy]

thank you guys !

 

[parsley]

On the spiritual end, I find that judgment often comes back on me. If I say to myself, "I would never do that!" then God allows me to see that maybe I would. Not as punishment, but humility so I can speak to others beneficially.

The economies around the world are very fragile now, and at any moment people could find their retirement plans unavailable, their homes uninsured after a disaster, their jobs terminated suddenly, their online accounts hacked, their resources looted. Any number of things could happen and leave people stranded.

It's good to be able to talk through solutions before it's completely hopeless, and to develop cautious habits.

In our region, there's a huge increase in the number of people eating out. I think they are working overtime and have no time to cook, but it's ironic that the jobless rate is so high and the restaurants are thriving.

 

[dhh712]

for the past 3 weeks, i was blessed with sums of money from friends to tie me over this difficult period. things might not have turn for the better instantly but definitely it is turning. My prayers were not all answered but God definitely has not abandon me. All i ask now is for God to give me the strength, courage and resolve to ride through this storm. i accept my situation and i want to make right what i had done wrong. i thank God for giving me this second chance. It may not be easy but i can see the light ahead. Thank you Lord.

It is so wonderful to hear of this. Thank you for the update and please let us know how you are doing from time to time. I will keep you in my prayers. I myself am under the scourge of debt taking it upon myself when I was in bondage to the world and did not know God. I am leaning upon Him to help me out of it and trust that only He can provide the way; I know that if I seek the end of it entirely through my own efforts it will come to naught.

No matter the darkness, please do not seek a temporal solution to your pain. I also, though as an unbeliever, had thoughts of suicide though I know now, as well as all believers do, the selfishness of it, and folly of it to rush to the Lord's presence with our own blood on our hands. It is an easy thing to say, but entirely different to truly understand when faced with pressing troubles and when in the darkness and vileness of our situation there seems to be no hope. But we must trust in Him and know that the world does not have answers for us.

 

[Sketcher]

The state of mental health i am in and the reason behind my prayers all seem contradictory to the very essence of the Bible.

Why do you say that?

Also, do you budget at all?