How Do I Maintain My Faith During Difficult Economic Times?

Ralph Estep. Jr.00:00:00

Imagine lying awake at night, the weight of these financial burdens pressing down on your chest, making it hard to breathe. The endless cycle of worry that. That fear gnawing at you, leaving you feeling helpless and alone. But what if I told you there's a way to find peace?There's a way to find hope and even joy in the midst of these struggles. Today, we're going to explore how to maintain your faith during difficult economic times. And here's my promise.By the end of this show, you're going to have concrete steps to rely on God to navigate your financial challenges with confidence and find solace in the storm. Join me as we answer the question, how do I maintain my faith during these difficult economic times? Let's find hope together, right here, right now.

Ralph Estep. Jr.00:00:51

In a world where crushing debt keeps you trapped, where living paycheck to paycheck has become your new normal, and where the dream of retirement seems impossibly out of reach, there's hope. Join financial evangelist Ralph Estepp Jr. A man who's walked through the fire of financial failure and emerged stronger on the other side.Welcome to Ask Ralph, the show where real world experience meets biblical truth.To break the bondage of financial despair, get ready to take control of your money, break free from the financial stress, and align your resources with God's purpose for your life. This is Ask Ralph with Ralph Estepp Jr.

Ralph Estep. Jr.00:01:33

Well, thank you so much for joining me on today's episode. I'm Ralph, your financial evangelist, and I am truly honored to have you here with me today.We're going deep into a topic that tugs at the heartstrings, and that's how to maintain your faith during difficult economic times.I promise you, by the end of the show, you're going to feel empowered, you're going to feel uplifted, and you're going to be ready to face your financial struggles with renewed faith and practical steps. So let's get started, shall we? You know, financial hardship can feel like a dark, endless tunnel with absolutely no light in sight.It can be overwhelming, causing stress, causing worry, and even causing despair. But here's the thing. I need you to know there is hope.There is light at the end of that tunnel and it's shining brightly waiting for you just to reach for it. So today we're going to discuss how a deep and abiding relationship with God can provide peace.It can provide assurance and a deep seated sense of hope that will transcend all of our material struggles. We're going to cover foundational truths.We're going to Talk about spiritual disciplines and, and we're going to give you practical steps to help you navigate these challenges. So stay with me because what we're about to explore can truly change your life.Now, yesterday we talked about why we can't quit writing paper checks and our scammers cashing in. We uncovered the risk associated with paper checks and how to protect yourself from scams.So if you missed it, I'm going to encourage you to go back and check it out at askralph. Com. But today we're focusing on something even more pressing, your financial well being and faith. So let's get right to today's listener question.Today's question comes from Emily, and she writes this. Ralph, I'm going through a tough time financially. My husband lost his job. We're drowning in debt, and I'm not sure how we'll make it through.I feel overwhelmed and my faith is wavering. How do I maintain my faith during these difficult economic times? I need concrete steps to get through this.We're fighting about money and our lives are in complete turmoil. And we need your help to get out of this spiral we're in. Well, Emily, thank you so much for sharing your heart with us today.Your vulnerability is inspiring to me and I want you to know that you're not alone. We're in this together. And together we're going to find a way forward. So, Emily, I want to start by thanking you for your question.A lot of things that people are thinking about, these things, financial struggles can feel like a relentless storm battering you from all sides, leaving you feeling helpless, leaving you feeling alone. And it's so natural to feel overwhelmed, especially when you're facing job loss and mounting debt. The weight of all of it can be crushing.And it's understandable that your faith might be wavering. But I want you to know this, Emily, that you are not alone. We have to start there. This is a battle you've got to fight with some support.Many have walked this path before and they found strength, they found hope, and they found guidance through their faith. I've seen clients in similar situations and I personally experienced financial hardship. But here's the beautiful truth, and hear me on this.There is hope. Today I'm going to give you concrete action steps to help you maintain your faith and navigate these challenges.Because, yes, there is a way forward and I'm here to help you find it. So take a deep breath and let's journey this together.And remember, if you've got a question you'd like answered, you can submit it just like Emily did by going to just ask Ralph.com. because here's the truth.I love answering your questions and it's the central part of what we do here on the show because listen, your questions matter and I'm here to help. Well, now let's transition to today's Bible verse that will help guide us in our discussion. Today's verse comes from Philippians chapter 4, verse 19.And it says this. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in in Christ Jesus. Isn't that a powerful reminder?God is the ultimate provider. He's so capable and willing to meet our needs no matter what financial struggles we face. This promise is our starting point today.Another verse that offers me immense hope and I love the book of Romans is Romans 8:28, which says, and we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purposes. See, this verse reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God is working for our good.And we have to understand that trusting in his promise can bring us great comfort. It can bring us great strength. So today, I am just grateful for the opportunity to share my experiences and understanding with you, Emily.The Lord has equipped me with the knowledge and the skills to help people overcome their financial challenges from a place of faith. And I am so thankful for the lessons we've learned and the clients I've worked with as they've shown me the power of faith in the face of adversity.It is a true privilege to walk alongside you on this journey. So let's get to it. Emily. Let me share a personal story that I hope will resonate with you. Years ago, I had a client. We'll call her Peyton.Now, Peyton was a single mother with two young children, and she had lost her job. She. She was drowning in debt, and she didn't know how she was going to provide her for her family. She came to me feeling hopeless.She was feeling overwhelmed. And see, Peyton's story began in a small town in the Midwest.She'd always been a hard worker, but the economy had taken a downturn and her job was one of those casualties of that downturn. She found herself with no income, a stack of bills, and two children depending on her.She was anxious, she was scared, and her faith was just absolutely wavering. One day, Peyton came to my office. She was. Tears streaming down her face. And she said this to me, and I will never forget this.She says, ralph, I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm drowning and I'm not sure if God even cares.I sat down with her and we, we started talking about her faith because I knew we had to start there. And I reminded her of the promises in the bible, like Philippians 4:19. And we prayed together.And over the next few weeks, Peyton and I worked on a plan. We created a budget, we prioritized her expenses, and we looked for ways to reduce her debt.But bigger than that, more importantly than that, we focused on her spiritual health. We read scripture together, we prayed daily, and we sought wisdom from God himself. And let me just tell you, Peyton's transformation was incredible.She found a part time job that allowed her to spend more time with her children. She started paying off her debt. Yeah, she did it little by little.But the most significant change, and this was so awesome to watch from the outside, was her attitude. See, Peyton found peace. She found hope in her faith, and she realized that God was with her even in those darkest moments.It was truly amazing seeing that transformation that Peyton experienced. We serve an awesome God, don't we? Let me tell you about another inspiring story about overcoming debt through faith.A friend of mine, Mark, he found himself in a very similar situation a few years back. Mark had accumulated a significant amount of debt due to medical expenses and just like a lot of people, a period of unemployment.Mark was a devout Christian. But that financial burden, it was taking a toll on his faith. And one day, Mark decided to take that leap of faith.He prayed fervently, asking God for guidance, asking God for strength. He just gave it all to God. At that very moment, he started reading the Bible more frequently.He particularly focused on verses about provision and trust.One of the other things that Mark did is he began to tide, even though it seems so counterintuitive given his financial situation, because we all understand what was going on here. Mark's fate was tested, but he remained steadfast. He sought advice from his pastor and joined a financial counseling group at his church.With their support, he created a detailed plan to pay off his debt. He put together a plan. He found a new job that provided better health insurance. And he started to see small miracles happen in his life.And over time, Mark began to. His debt began to decrease. He received unexpected financial blessings, such as a tax refund he hadn't anticipated and a raise at work.All those things are fantastic. But more importantly, the core his faith grew stronger. He realized that God was faithful and that he would provide for his needs.See, friends, that's what faith can do. And both of these stories share something critical. It's not just about overcoming their financial challenges. Yes, that's critical.But the real message is their development of deeper faith. Emily, I want you to know that you, too, can overcome your financial struggles.And I'm going to share some action steps right now that you can start taking today to find that same peace that Peyton and Mark found. Are you ready to do that, Emily? Number one thing, prayer. You got to start by communicating with God. Share your worries and needs with him.The book of Philippians, chapter 4, verses 6 to 7, says, do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Isn't that beautiful?See, prayer is a powerful tool that can bring you peace and it can bring you guidance. So start there. The second thing you got to scripture study. Immerse yourself in God's word.Read and meditate on verses that address financial hardship. I love this one from the book of Psalms, chapter 119, verse 105. It says, Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light from my path.See, the Bible provides guidance, it provides comfort, and it provides strength. The third thing I'm going to tell you you got to do is find contentment. You got to cultivate contentment in all circumstances.The book of Philippians, chapter 4, verses 11 and 13, teaches us to be content with what we have, knowing that God will provide for our needs. Focus on gratitude for the blessings you're already possessing, no matter how small they may seem. The fourth thing is wise stewardship.Be a wise steward of your finances. Create that budget, avoid unnecessary debt, and save money. The book of Proverbs, chapter 27, verses 23 and 24. And I'm going to encourage you to read.It encourages us to be aware of our financial situation and plan accordingly. And the fifth thing, Generosity. Mark learned this even in difficult times. Practice generosity.See, this is what Mark found to be the key to his transformation. Giving to God and others demonstrates your trust in his provision. Look at the book of Luke, chapter 6, verse 38.It says, Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. And listen to the end of this.For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Man, that is just so powerful. Number six, thing you've got to do is seek wise counsel.Don't hesitate to seek advice from trusted financial Counselors who operate within a Christian framework that is so crucial, find shows just like this one and others to build your faith. Consider working with a Christian counselor as well. It's all about building a team to support you in the journey. You need that team in this journey.And number seven, community and fellowship. You got to stay connected with your Christian community.The book of Hebrews, chapter 10, verses 24 and 25 encourages us to meet together regularly to encourage one another. So in the reasons we got to be in church, we got to be in that fellowship of believers.Sharing your financial concerns with fellow believers can provide emotional and practical support. That is what you need. Emily, hear me. Everyone else listening to me. Stay connected with your community.Now, as I was preparing for this show, I found some additional Bible verses that can offer comfort and guidance during difficult economic times. And they include these. Look at the Book of Matthew, chapter 6, verses 25 to 34. It says this.Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. It's is is life not more than food and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air. They did not sow or reap or store away in barns.And yet of this part your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they can any one of you by worrying at a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about close?See how the flowers of the field grow. They don't labor or spend. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all of his splendor was dressed like one of these.If that is how God closes the grass of the field which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you? You have 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 his kingdom and his righteousness. And all of 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. Man. I tell you what, I read that and it just grabs a hold of me.Let's look at the Book of Psalms, chapter 37, verse 25. I was young and now I'm old. Yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.Here's a great one from second Corinthians, chapter nine, verse eight. And God is able to bless you abundantly so that in all things, at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work.And I absolutely love this one from the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 8, verses 18.It says, but remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. Let's look at Matthew, chapter 7, verses 7 and 8. Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be open to you.For everyone who asks receives. The one who seeks, finds. And to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.I love this one From Luke, chapter 12, verse 24 says, Consider the ravens. They do not sow or reap, they they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds.Proverbs, chapter 3, verses 5 and 6. And I use this on the show all the time. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways.Submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Let's look at the Book of Jeremiah, chapter 29, verse 11.For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and future. I love this one From Hebrews, chapter 13, verses 5 and 6.Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content. There's a theme there, isn't that, with what you have? Because God has said, never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.So we say with confidence, the Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? And I got one last one.And this is from the book of first Timothy, chapter six, verses six to eight. And it says this. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we take nothing out of it.But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. So, Emily, hear me on this. By taking these steps, you can find hope. You can find resilience in your faith.Trust in God's promise and remember that he is with you. Even in the darkest times, you are not alone. And there is a way forward. Let's walk this journey together, step by step, with faith and determination.Emily, hear me. You can do this. It just starts by taking that first step and walking out in faith. And I encourage you to do that today.Today's the day to start finding that peace. And if you found today's discussion helpful? I want to encourage you I want to encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter.You can do that by going to askralpodcast.com newsletter because here's the truth. Our newsletter is packed with valuable insights, practical tips and resources to help you master your finances from a Christian perspective.Don't miss out on this opportunity to stay informed and inspired. And if you have friends or family who are going through a tough financial time, please share this episode with them. And let's spread hope.Let's spread encouragement to those who need it most. Because here is a truth. Together we can make a difference. Remember also, I write a daily blog based on the content of the show.Today we got a little bit passionate and today's blog is going to go even deeper into the topic of maintaining faith during difficult economic times. And you'll find additional resources and insights that I wasn't able to cover in this show.And you can check that out@askralphpodcast.com blog and if you have specific questions or you got topics you'd like me to cover in future episodes, please let me know because I'm here to serve you and help you on your financial and your spiritual journey to freedom. Now, before we wrap up, I want to leave you with three reflection questions.Number one, what are some specific verses from the Bible that you can meditate on to strengthen your faith during financial struggles? I gave a bunch of them today. Commit those to memory. Focus on those. Pray about those. Reflect on those.Second thing, how can you practice generosity even in times of scarcity, to demonstrate your trust in God's provision? Think about those things. Write those things down at my third one for today.What are some practical steps you can take to be a wise steward of your finances? And how can you seek wise counsel to guide you through these challenges? So, Emily, let's discuss the key takeaways from today's show.Number one thing, prayer and Scripture study. You got to communicate with God through prayer and immerse yourself in His Word to find guidance and comfort.Second thing, it's all about contentment and gratitude. You got to cultivate contentment and focus on gratitude for the blessings you already have. It starts there, but hear me on this.It starts with realizing what you already have. The third thing is practicing why? Stewardship. That's what we talk about on the show every day.Create that budget, avoid unnecessary debt, and save money to manage your finances responsibly. You are a steward of this and you've got to take it seriously. It's not yours, it's yours to manage. Fourth thing Generosity.Practice generosity to demonstrate your trust in God's. Provision number five, seek that wise counsel. Seek advice from trusted financial counselors who operate within that Christian framework.And number six, and I hope you heard me on this, stay connected with your Christian community for emotional and for practical support. Remember this. God is with you. God has a plan for your life.I want you to trust in his promises and let faith guide you through these challenging times. So I'm going to encourage you. Let's pray together. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for being our provider and our source of hope.We come before you today acknowledging that we need your guidance. We need your strength to navigate our financial challenges. Lord, please fill us with your peace and assurance.Help us to trust in your promises and to remember that you are always with us, even in the darkest times. Give us the wisdom to manage our finances wisely and the courage to seek and support and counsel our Christian community.Help us to be generous even in those times of scarcity. As a demonstration of our trust in your provision, Lord, we ask that you bless Emily and all those who are facing financial struggles.Provide for their needs, Lord, strengthen their faith and more importantly than anything else, Lord, give them the hope they need to endure and to overcome. And I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. Now, tomorrow we're going to be discussing something completely different.We're going to talk about what is the taxpayer's advocate and how can they help you. It's going to be another great topic. So make sure to join me again tomorrow.And if you have any questions or topics you'd like me to cover in future episodes, please let me know. I'm here to serve you and help you on your journey to financial freedom and spiritual growth. So thank you for joining me today.I hope this episode has brought you comfort. I hope it's brought you hope, and I hope it's given you some practical steps to navigate your financial struggles.Remember, my passion is to help you achieve financial success. I want to see you live out your dreams and I want to see you grow in your faith. Together we can master your finances from a Christian perspective.So as we close, let me leave you with a final thought.In the words of the Apostle Paul, in Romans 15:13, he says this may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Let this hope fill your heart, knowing that God is with you every step of the way. Stay strong, stay faithful, and remember, you are never alone.God bless you and I look forward to connecting with you again soon.

Ralph Estep. Jr.00:23:58

Thank you for joining us on the Ask Ralph show, and with a simple click to subscribe, we'll invite you back to our next episode. And remember, financial issues don't have to be complicated. Just Ask Ralph.The information contained in this episode of Ask Ralph is based on data available as of the date of its release. Sagio Accounting plus and Ask Routh Media, Inc. Is under no obligation to update this content if changes occur.Applying this information to your specific situation requires careful consideration of all facts and circumstances, and any information provided is not to be considered as financial, tax, or legal advice. Please consult your tax advisor or attorney before acting on any material covered.