Podcast: Play in new window | Download
|
Your Destination Depends NOT On Where You Are…
Your destination depends not on where you are but on which way you go. Your results depend not on what has happened, and not on what you have, but on what you do with it all.
From here, you can go anywhere. There are pathways leading in every direction.
What matters now is which of those pathways you choose. What matters now is the next step you take.
Give yourself permission to decide what you truly desire for
your life and for your world. And know that there is a way,
right now, to begin creating it.
When your thoughts and actions have a clear, specific
purpose, each moment will carry you closer to the
fulfillment of that purpose. When you move consistently in a chosen direction, you cannot help but reach the destination you choose.
Lovingly, thoughtfully and carefully select your direction
today. You are always moving toward something, so make that something exactly what you wish.
|
So … What Does God Have To Say About Debt?
In 2010 there were 1,536,799 bankruptcies. And we know that there were even more than that in 2011 – the numbers just haven't been compiled yet. Additionally, couple blame FINANCIAL STRESS as one of the major factors contributing to their decision to divorce.
So, if all of this is happening because of DEBT, the question that we need to give some serious thought to is
"Why do we allow ourselves to get into debt in the first place?"
RichLife Show January 14 2011 – What Does God Have To Say About Debt
If you take the time to think about it, one of the biggest reasons that most people get into debt in the first place is that , as a society, we have been conditioned to believe that we need to have the latest and greatest version of whatever is out there in the market place – cars, smart phones, houses, clothes, shoes, purses, toys, gadget, widget. We are sold and marketed MILLIONS of images and commercials by the time we are adults. And it is the job of those who are doing the marketing to convince us that if we buy "XYZ thing TODAY" we are going to be HAPPY!! Happy is relative – it can be today, tomorrow or just happy in general.
Here is something that you might not realize, today's technology has evolved to the point that that Google can target market to an individual based upon their computer's browsing history and the kind of emails their receive in their inbox! Those ads you see along side your emails and on your Facebook page are targeted directly to YOU based upon your likes and dislikes. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with this because the marketers are doing their job and they are doing it very well. However, it is something to be conscious of!
The big observation I have made while working with over 3,000 clients is, by and large, we go into debt without taking care of the priorities that already exist and by that I am referring to older debt that has not been paid off. When we go further into debt and jump over those priorities, we are really financing this "temporary happiness" and sooner or later we realize our well intentioned attempt at happiness turns into STRESS, REGRET and even REMORSE! Many times, this becomes a vicious cycle of temporary satisfaction, lasting only until we start looking for the NEXT BIG THING that will allow to us to feel like we are "keeping up with the Joneses".
God warns us over and over and over again about debt!
The rich rule over the poor
and the borrower is a slave to the lender ~ Proverbs 22:7
When we are in debt, we are robbed of our freedom to actually decide and do what we need to do to be good stewards of what we have. If we are not taking care of that debt and paying it off when it exists, we have no surplus to work with when times are lean.
The goal of everyone in debt should be to get rid of it as quickly as possible and then go into surplus. Once people go into surplus, people find they have the ability to choose restored to them. And, having choice is where freedom and peace come from.
More often than not, people become paralyzed when they are in debt. It truly is a form of bondage. And it creates non-stop stress which wreaks havoc with everything in our lives – health, relationships, marriages, job-performance, self-confidence …. EVERYTHING! Having debt is like a never ending constant heavy weight on our shoulders. The only way to make it go away is to get real with it and deal with it. The ostrich technique just doesn't work! Not being willing to take a really hard look at your current financial situation and being clear about where you stand with your finances – what is coming in and what is going out on a monthly basis, will not help you get out of debt – it will cause you to stay in bondage even longer!
Six Step Formula To Break The Debt Cycle
Here is a simple six step formula to break free from the debt cycle that is holding you in bondage!
1. Seek guidance and wisdom for where you are at right now. Take a look at the past to discover where things started changing for you because that is exactly where you will find the information you need to proceed better in the future.
2. Establish a spending plan. You MUST get crystal clear on where you are at right now to get to where you want to go.
3. List your assets. You MUST write them down.
4. List your liabilities. You MUST write them down.
5. Create a repayment plan based on where you are at right now. Ask yourself, "How am I going to attack this very real debt in a way that makes the best sense for where I am at right now?"
6. Be committed. Don't give up! Get your plan in place and stick with it. Understand and accept the fact that while it was quick and easy to get into debt, getting out of debt is going to take a while. You can do it if you stay committed and faithfully stick to your plan. Keep your eye on The Prize – your FREEDOM and PEACE OF MIND – which are more valuable than just about anything else!
I really want to thank everyone for all of the great feedback that this series has received!! It has totally blown me away. Because of the response the Practicing Wise Stewardship Series has received, we will be continuing with it tomorrow on the RichLife Show.
I would love to hear from if you are currently working your way toward becoming totally debt-free. Share with me the things that you did to get started and give me an update on your progress! Let me know if you have been able get totally out of debt and what kind of an impact that has had on your life!
You can bless alot of other people by sharing your story and experiences. You will never know who will be inspired to take action for themselves when they hear what you are doing right now to become debt-free!! Join us tomorrow at 12:00 pm EST to hear the third part of this amazingly popular series!
For more advice and actionable challenges on how you can apply the principal of wise stewardship to your everyday life, get a copy of Beau’s book, The RichLife, 10 Investments for True Wealth at www.richlifeadvisors.com
Beau, I absolutely love how simple you have simplified the process one need to follow to become debt free!
Great tips Beau! I think the best one is to not give-up because during the rough times, it can be so easy to just throw in the towel. Thanks for the encouragement!
Thank you Beau, such a wonderful reminder for people. It is so true that debt makes us limited and this is a feeling, nobody likes. We all love freedom and what can be better than work our way out of a situation where debt is taking our life over.