Booming gas prices, which are likely to only get worse. Expensive new and used cars. Grocery charges that make you want to make every parcel of food last as long as possible. Inflation is here, and here to stay, at least for a time. Today we can all attest to at least knowing someone with money troubles. And more than likely we have some of our own.
Encouraging someone during their season of financial hardship is far easier than enduring the trial ourselves. When we become the family with little in the refrigerator, who eats the same meals every day, or watches more money going out than coming in, we take on a whole new perspective. Seasons of financial hardship can be long and full of despair. Sometimes you don’t know the season is coming and can’t prepare. Many people can attest to being laid off from work or getting an unexpected medical emergency. When the bill comes, they shudder.
Sometimes too we struggle not knowing how long the season will last. We grow anxious watching our bank account grow thin and thinner. We wonder if there will ever be a day for wealth. Fearing bankruptcy is awful. Fearing homelessness is too, along with believing you can’t provide for your spouse or children.
Fear of financial hardship is real, especially today. Thankfully, the Bible gives us guidance in this particular area. Scripture speaks to the human capacity to fear about money. Though fears set in and take root within our brains, we can uproot the emotion with some Biblical truths from God.
3 Biblical Truths During Financial Hardship
1. Don’t Fear
Our first truth to remember during financial hardship is God’s command not to fear.
“Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
During seasons of stability or prosperity, we can be tempted to live for money. The same is true during a season of hardship. Living for money means living in a way where our initial focal point, God, has been replaced by a new focus, money. We live lives not devoted to the Lord or revolving around Him. Our routines begin to revolve around money. Money is the beginning and end of our day, our primary reason for living, not God. And if we lack money we suddenly feel as though we lack worth.
Of course, what drives this behavior is a fear of not having enough.
But God says not to fear. He is obviously privy to our situations, whether we get on our knees to pray or not. Nothing happens to us without His consent (Matthew 10:29). God is aware. And if God knows what’s happening, and we’re trying to resolve the issue, then the question is, do we trust God to help us? Do we trust Him to see us through?
Without that trust, we have reason to fear.
2. Be Wise
Our second Biblical truth is to be wise with the money we have, even if that money is limited.
“Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle, but whoever earns it through labor will multiply it.” (Proverb 13:11)
Another translation of Scripture contrasts with gaining money “hastily” and “little by little”. Certainly, our attitude towards money affects our behavior. And our behavior affects our money. Therefore, a season of hardship can teach us to manage money better. We grow more aware of how to properly allocate our funds, which expenses should be cut, and those that should be prioritized.
Moreover, we learn to be grateful for the little we have when stripped of abundance. The wisdom we gain while suffering will be useful after such a season is over and in other areas of life.
3. God Provides
Lastly, our third Biblical truth is that God always provides what we need. What we need will look different for each of us, but God meets those needs regardless.
“Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?” (Matthew 6:26)
There are those who value animals over people, but that is not a factor in God’s kingdom. He made us in His image and gave us dominion over the animals, above and below us (Genesis 1:28-30). If God gives such intricate care to the wildlife, why would He not look after His flock, His sons and daughters?
By keeping God and His truths in perspective, we keep our fears in line. What we fear is replaced by what we undoubtedly know. God is good and He is pursuing our good even through unfavorable and sometimes dire circumstances (Romans 8:28). God said He will never leave us. We just need to believe Him.
And while we believe, we should continue to pray as we work to conform our thoughts, deeds, and words to the image of Christ. If that would be useful for you, here are 3 prayers to say during financial hardship.
Prayer for Financial Stability
God,
Today I find myself in a difficult position. I’ve given up on things I want to focus on for the things that I need. But now I question whether or not I’ll even be able to meet those needs. Prices are up, and my bank account is down. The money I’m bringing in is not enough. Not from my perspective.
What should I do?
I’m tempted to panic, to freak out, to give up, and throw in the towel. But I’m trying God, trying to remain steadfast in my faith. You said that you would never leave nor forsake me. Your Word is true.
So I pray to you, today, Lord help me. Please get me back to a season of financial stability, a place where steady checks can be deposited into a stable bank account. Return me to the days of seeing a normal amount of food in the refrigerator and on my plate. I pray that you would help me manage my resources well to get back to this position.
May I not lose sight of your uncanny ability to provide. Just because I can’t see you moving doesn’t mean you are not there.
Today is tough, but tomorrow can be better. This hardship will give way to stability. I believe you, God. I trust you.
Amen.
Prayer for Destressing
Heavenly Father,
My head hurts. My heart aches. And I’m trembling.
Some days I wonder if the stress will ever go away, but if I lived life without stress before, surely I can return to such a day. I hope so.
God, I need you. The same stress consuming my mind threatens my health. I can’t manage relationships, work, even myself. I’m too overwhelmed. This season of financial hardship feels like too much and no matter what I do, nothing changes. I can't make enough money, and can’t make enough debt go away.
So I’m throwing in the towel and asking for your aid, your help, your guidance. Please remove this stress from me.
I’ve allowed it to overtake me in so many ways, and now, Lord, I ask that you please restore my mind. Restore my health. Remove the stress so that your peace will take root and uplift my spirit.
Right now I don’t feel pleasant, but I want to turn my problems over to you. I know you hear me. I know you care. Thank you, Lord.
Amen.
Prayer for Anxiety
Lord,
There are things that cause fear in my life, and then there’s money. During this season of difficulty, my anxiety has felt awful, like there’s no way out, no happy ending waiting for me on the other side. Is there even another side to this?
Only you know for certain, God, because I can’t see past my suffering. And that’s why I’m coming to you now, pleading for your deliverance.
Anxiety tells me to worry, but your Word says not to fear. Lord, please help me not to fear.
The anxiety I have about tomorrow does not have to control how I live today. I need you though, to remind me of this truth. Remind me that your peace will bring me comfort, your Son will help me shoulder this burden.
Anxiety says, the end, but my life is not over. God, you are in charge of my past, present, and future. May I remember that truth right now.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/urbazon
Aaron D'Anthony Brown is a freelance writer, hip-hop dance teacher, and visual artist, living in Virginia. He currently contributes to Salem Web Network’s Crosswalk platform and supports various clients through the freelancing website Upwork. He's an outside-the-box thinker with a penchant for challenging the status quo.
Get in touch with him at aarondanthony.com and check out his debut short story anthology Honey Dreams on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
This article is part of our Prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
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Prayer for Peace
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