Let Go of the Purse Strings
By: Susan Deborah Schiller From the Series "Love from Papa"
Do you struggle with money worries? While I'm working very hard to get my finances back on track, following divorce and a very traumatic decade of life, there are times when the worry worms eat their way into my heart and mind.
A few years ago, my husband and I went to ministry school in Toronto, and afterward we needed to sell our house in order to enter full-time ministry. It was around the time of the big real estate crash, and our buyers were having a hard time closing on their property, and our sale was contingent on the sale of their house. It dragged out for over a year, and our mortage, combined with traveling on the road for ministry, was too much for our budget and it was looking pretty scary.
I went to prayer, and immediately Papa God whispered, "Be at peace, child; just rest." But I couldn't sit still! I felt I needed to do some spiritual warfare, to fight the worries that were conquering my mind.
And Papa God said, "You do not need to fight. It's a war zone, so cheer. As you cheer (I sensed He meant "praise") the blessings will be poured down."
Our shortfall was $500/month, and it was foremost on my mind, drowning out all "praise". I pressed God for a solution, knowing I had already exhausted all of my own ideas.
Once again, He whispered from deep within my heart, "I will not abandon you. You have so little faith. Touch Me, child. Know your Father's touch. I will restore to you all that was lost, all that was broken. I've given you a Home – a safe place – so hide yourself in Me. I am your friend. Pour your heart out to me daily. I long to hear your voice. Let go. Just let go of the purse strings."
I responded, as a child who reaches out with both arms to wrap herself around her Papa's neck. In His embrace, I sensed Him say, "Do not let your heart be troubled…"
It's good to write down what Papa God whispers in your ear, because it's so easy to forget. I love the security that comes when I lay my head on His chest!
I believe God is saying to you and me, to let go of our need to control… to figure it all out. There are some problems that are just too big for us and we are too small, yet, to find the solutions. When we choose to rest; when we choose to praise, we let go of control (let go the purse strings), that's when God is able to move in our lives. Many times we're simply in our own way.
It's been one of the hardest lessons for me to learn – to rest. But finally, I did learn to let go of the purse strings, to release the control to Him. And that's when the blessings began pouring in!
It doesn't mean that I don't have to learn about how to take care of money. I do. I regularly visit SharonOday.com, in fact, to keep my mind on track regarding finances. Sharon is a financial genius and she helps women my age awaken the financial genius inside ourselves. She knows what it's like to lose everything and to rebuild from the ashes of the 2008 real estate bust and she understands the generational money baggage many of us carry and need to let go of.
Today, I'm debt-free and I'm saving money every month. I have a financial plan that is in progress, and although there's still a long way to go as far as total recovery and financial freedom, I'm on my way 🙂
It began with releasing my need to be in control and to learn to rest in God, to trust Him to be my provider. In the midst of that time of learning to trust, I met people along my path, like Sharon, who showed me the way to financial freedom.
God's voice is precious to me… as He speaks through the Bible, through friends, through mentors, and from deep within my own heart. Have you discovered this to be true, as well? How are you doing on your journey to freedom? Have you mastered the money worries?
Choosing love today,
Sue
PS You may also enjoy "Be Fruitful & Multiply: Not An Option", "You Will Never Suffer Lack" and "What Scares You?" I'd love to hear from you – what has helped you the most regarding "money worries" – your story matters!
Susan Schiller knows how it feels to lose everything: marriage and family, church and reputation, finances and businesses, and more. Susan's upcoming, interactive memoir, "On the Way Home," tells the story of how she came to be known as "the most abused woman" her counselors had yet met and how she learned to navigate her way out of hell to a rich and satisfying life. In her lifetime, Susan has served in duties ranging from home school mom – to pastor – to full-time deliverance minister – and to Midwest regional prayer coordinator for a large international ministry. These days you can usually find Susan soaking in her favorite hot springs pool, reading a book (or several), blogging, baking bread, or hanging out with her family and friends. You can get a free copy of Susan's upcoming book, "On the Way Home" by registering here.
Copyright 2012, Susan Schiller, http://TeamFamilyOnline.com. Permission is granted to copy, forward, or distribute this article for non-commercial use only, as long as this copyright byline and bio, in totality, is maintained in all duplications, copies, and link references. For reprint permission for any commercial use, in any form of media, please contact Susan Schiller.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
When I first quit teaching to puruse coaching, I became very worried about money. I was used to having a steady paycheck, and then I was thrown into the unknown. I've held several jobs in my life, and some were minimum wage.
I took a step back and asked myself if I really thought that I would run out of money. I answered truthfully with a big fat "no." I've never been homeless or hungry. I've never truly been without love, even when I thought I was. I've never been abandoned, even when I kept telling myself I was.
In all truth, I've always been loved and taken care of, by the people in my life and my creator.
When I was able to let go and have faith, my life became easier, in so many ways.
What a great perspective to have, Keri… and so very true. There’s a wealth of truth in your testimony! Thanks so much for sharing!
A dream I frequently have is being in the checkout aisle of a grocery store, mentally calculating the bill and comparing it to what I know is in my wallet. It's always a complete surprise, that when I open my wallet there is MUCH MORE than I knew I had.
One such dream is recorded on 8/27/07… once again I'm buying groceries, opening my wallet, knowing there's not enough, considering whether to use a credit card… and then at the last second I discover TWO $100 bills and in the dream I tell myself to REMEMBER all the dreams about an overflowing wallet.
The money appears as I REMEMBER GOD'S PROVISION IN THE PAST… in other words, somehow MORE MONEY IS CREATED in the remembering, with deep gratitude, the blessings of the past.
Remember and being grateful sows seeds of MORE BLESSINGS into my future!