If money were not an issue, what would be the purpose of your life? Today is an opportunity to reflect on this question in such an uncertain economic climate. Company layoffs remain extremely high, physical ailments are increasing due to stress and anxiety, and many people are beyond financial devastation. Yet the message of hope and opportunity presented in the midst of the storm is heard everywhere. You hear the message but wonder if it applies to you. Is God listening to your prayers? You are doing everything you know how to do and yet you find yourself in the desert place.

How does one recover from a catastrophic event and begin the journey to recovery? Even with the best plans, life happens. People die, people lose their jobs, people break up, people start over, and people get sick. At the root of many of these problems is the “elephant in the room.” How am I going to handle this financially? Life’s challenges are easier to handle when you’re working and relying on a paycheck every week or two. But what happens when you’re the one who got the latest pink note right after a diagnosis of high blood pressure, diabetes, or even cancer? What would happen if you simply decided to leave your spouse? Maybe you’re the one caught up in the subprime mess and when the interest rate adjusted on your mortgage, you couldn’t handle your monthly obligations anymore?

The pressures of life are overwhelming and the presence of God feels so distant. But the opportunity is present. So the question is how do you identify the opportunity, maximize the moment and find financial security? It will take time to take a holistic approach to pick up the pieces of your life and regain control. If you start working an average of 12-16 hour days for an extended period of time, your health will suffer and additional complications will occur for which you have not prepared. However, if that is your only option, it becomes easier to bear when you seek to reach a goal that will ensure that you will never repeat the cycle of financial deprivation.

Changing your way of thinking is possible when you are in a true relationship with God. He will direct your steps, he will divinely connect you with people who can help you and encourage you when you need it most. When you align with God’s plan for your life, financial security becomes a reality. It seems difficult because you don’t know where to start. Some steps are listed to help you move forward.

1. Start laying a secure foundation physically, mentally, and financially. Make a conscious decision to start navigating life proactively, not reactively. Too often, people allow life problems and current circumstances to dictate behavior and distract them from their dreams. As long as you have this mindset, concern for your physical well-being is virtually non-existent. By taking control of your life, you can control your destiny.

2. Create a life plan. You’ve heard of a business plan and a financial plan. But do you have a life plan? Begin to assess where you are in life. What do you like to do? Do you have a desire to serve in a particular area or field? Have you identified your natural talents and/or abilities and the career that complements those talents? While you may find it necessary to seek employment to support your family, exploring all the options that will allow you to align with your purpose will begin the process of living a God-ordained lifestyle. This will not always be easy, but it is productive.

3. Evaluate relationships and be willing to change. If you find yourself at the top of the success ladder in your immediate circle, you need to make some serious adjustments. Find multiple mentors who are willing to not only share their time and connections with you, but who should also be able to hold you accountable as you work toward achieving your life plan. Also, they need to be with you and available to you during your weakest moments. At the same time, you need to be available to people who can learn from you.

4. Be responsible and be accountable. This is where most people are stuck. If you reflect honestly, you will recognize the signs when you ignored the voice of God. There are some areas where He was yelling at you to trust Him, but because you couldn’t see past the gas bill, the mortgage, or the job itself, you didn’t hear the call. Spend recklessly, not pay titles and offerings, and even quote your children’s help to avoid collectors. When you’re ready to face reality, you’ll then identify the mandatory expenses from the things that are optional. You will communicate with various lenders and negotiate payment agreements. The most important thing is that you will take responsibility. Even if you can’t make a financial commitment, you won’t be avoiding phone calls anymore. Operating with integrity with your finances will reflect spiritual maturity and a serious commitment to wanting things to be different in your life as a whole.

5. May God be God! When you are obedient to God’s will and plan for your life, you can begin to expect Him to provide for all your needs. When you are about your Father’s business, He will honor his word that it cannot return to Him void. His responsibility is to obey God, operate with integrity and a standard of excellence. The journey may take some time, but you will be rewarded in every area of ​​your life.

God knows the plan he had for you when he created you. When you live your life on purpose, you will find prosperity in every area of ​​your life. You will recognize that there is an overflow of blessings that you can freely share with others. You’ll find that you’re not consumed by the physical limitations associated with anxiety and stress, and you’ll be willing to put in long hours in the vineyard because the rewards and benefits far outweigh a paycheck every week or two.