Please pray for me....I need it.

[rekced]

Well, I have been really stupid with my money for the last few months. I have spent thousands and thousands dollars on stuff I don't need for reasons I can't even explain. I have put my spending to a stop, but it seems like every time I get a good chunk of money set aside, I blow it. I feel so sinful and ashamed that when I look at my bills I just I burry my head into my hands and ask for forgiveness.


My walk with God hasn't been very close because I have been allowing my interests and priorities to go else where. Actually, I haven't been going to Church and I haven't been walking with God at all. I feel God enlightening me all the time and giving me profound insight on other difficult issues in my life, yet my heart remains distant and sinful, even though I have received all of those blessings.

I talked to my wife and told her about my situation and she's very supportive and understand, as usual. (another huge blessing!) After I'm done posting this I'm going to go pray with her just about everything going on in my life before we go to bed.

I'd like to ask that you guys would pray that I would pray for us and that I would allow God to come back into my life and would help me to do a complete 180 in all areas. I feel so guilty about all the blessing I have received and all the trust my loving puts into me, just to blow it.... I have been a huge disappointment to myself, my wife and to God.

Thank you for your support!

God Bless!


Matt

 

[Blessed-one]

praying for you.. guess you need a good dose of 'self control', the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

thread moved to christian advice forum.

 

[Horse Luver]

Praying 4 U!

 

[Iktomi]

I am praying for you as well and would like to recommend a book that has really been a blessing for me.
"The Treasure Principle" by Randy Alcorn.

 

[Rage4Christ]

matt

Guilt and shame are thinking errors. It is easy to feel guilty and self hatred. It is hard to step up and be responsible. If you are blaming mismanagement of money on your sin-- you are avoiding responsiblity. Prayers will only help you if you properly identify the problem. If you think our prayers will get you out of trouble, you're mistaken.

Christ loves you unconditionally-- that doesn't mean God's power will take away natural conseqences for improper behavior.

If anything, you have a horrible cycle going of pride and then self hating (a thinking error).

Your inclination will be to respond to this email with more self-loathing and gratuitous wallowing in your self-percieved sinful nature. Don't do it.

Love yourself unconditionally-- and then take responsiblity for your behavior. Get therapy. Find out what the "pay off" is for irresponsible money spending. Often people act out this way in response to stress. Find those stressors in your life and deal with them. Don't avoid those stressors by saying youre a worthless sinner. Christ wants you to be like him. That means unconditional love for yourself.