Day 12 – The Exchange: 21 Days of Spiritual Swaps

Last year, my husband and I had our first child.

Soon after, I decided to quit my job. I wanted to look after my daughter full time.

That decision wasn’t easy.

Of course, I really wanted to be a stay-at-home mum. I am not saying that it is the right option for everyone, but it was certainly the option my heart wanted most.

Despite this, saying goodbye to my monthly wage has been really, really tough.

The truth is: although God has continuously provided for us in miraculous ways, my husband and I still worry about money. We get to the end of each month saying: “how did we spend so much!”

This summer, we’ve been invited to go on holiday with my parents and my youngest brother.

So, this morning, I set about budgeting for that particular holiday.

I worked out that we had a certain amount of money to spend, throughout the 10 days holiday.

If we spend within my budgeted amount – brilliant!

If we spend over my set amount – we will once again end the month with the words: “how did we spend so much!”

After budgeting, I asked God what I should write about. “What do I need to let go of and surrender to you, today God?”

To my surprise he said “your willpower.”

Here’s the thing: despite my best budgeting efforts, I know that I don’t have enough willpower to say “no” to spending, throughout the entire duration of our holiday.

Holidays, in the past, have been enjoyable times of eating out, treating ourselves at the supermarket and indulging in a little fancy something. Therefore, on this coming holiday, I will have at least one weak moment in which a takeaway will look more attractive than reaching our budget goal.

Willpower just isn’t enough.

So today, I am giving my willpower to God.

I am letting go of control.

As I do, I feel like God is telling me to be honest. Because at the moment I am writing a budget, knowing that I am going to break it. In a way I am lying to myself, setting myself a goal that my heart has already given up on.

I feel like He’s saying: with my help you can do this. With God’s help we can stay within our budget, but also be blessed and enjoy crazy treats and surprises, which He has already lined up for us.

But, in order to receive His help, I need to lay down all of my will. I need to be honest about any manipulation that is in my heart, (getting other people to pay for things.) I need to give up my greedy desires. I need to trust God with any genuine, sincere wants I have.

Romans 8:14 says:

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

Romans 8:14, NIV.

Simply put, I want to be led by the Holy Spirit when it comes to spending. I can do that with accountability and grace.

So today I am going to spend time in prayer, surrendering the finances my husband and I have to God.

I am going to trust God as provider and put things in place for those weak moments. Maybe I will get a friend to text me asking if I have let the Holy Spirit lead me, each day. Maybe I will write a post-it note with Romans 8:14 written on it.

I will surrender my will to the one who has the best intentions for my finances. The one who wants to truly bless me, better than I could bless myself!

I am swapping my willpower for God’s leadership. As a result, I know I will have financial peace.

Maybe you need to do the same?

God is with you, and He will guide you if you ask Him to.

Action Points:

• Surrender your finances to God. Be totally honest with Him about how you intend to spend them.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in spending, saving and giving.
• Put practical accountability in place. Maybe you need a budget? Maybe you need a friend to text you weekly, checking in to see how you are managing your finances? Spend time thinking about ways to keep your will power surrendered to God in the very weak moments.
• Remember, God’s grace abounds even when you overspend.