URGENT PRAYER/DEPRESSED/DISAPPOINTED/SCARED OUT OF MY MIND

ISome of you know our financial situation, for those of you who do not here is a quick run down.

I was FIRED from my job in Oct last year due to complications from my surgery/illegal use of my FMLA Time (on their part). I did not sue them because my husband and I worked for the same
company in the same department and I did not want to jepordize our only means of support

My husband was violently ill for a year and half in large part, we thought, because of chronic kidney stones. It turnes out it was misdiagnosed and he had Graves disease(hyperthyroidism) and type 2 diabetes,
which in turn resulted in him being fired in January of this year because he has used all his time including his FMLA and was too sick to work.

He has spent literally 8 hours a day on this stupid computer putting in resumes...no job yet and only 11 weeks left on his unemployment comp
I am awaiting approval on my extension so we are a family of 5, 3 of which are 19, 17, 17 living on a little under 1800 a month
It may sound like a lot to some, but our electric bill alone with all we can do to minimize it is over 500 a month.
We have NO HEALTH INSURANCE AND MEDS BETWEEN ALL ARE OVER 1000 a month.
Somehow we still have to pay all our bills and we are slowly getting to the point where we cannot stay in our home and will have to move in with family.

Anyway, when signing up for school, I was presumtuous and did not take into account that I would be commuting 50 miles a day at 20 miles a gallon plus tolls of 4 dollars a day
That is more than 500 a month so there is no way, given our cir****tances that I can, in good judgement take this on right now. It would be completely financially irresponsible
and that is one area my husband and I are working on desperately. Is to get out of that mindset that we can add this to our lives and God will provide.

I as I am sure with othes struggled greatly with finances my entire life and was never taught how to handle or respect Gods money.
I have come to realize, at the tender age of 40 that it is not blind faith to add bills into my life expecting God to provide,
but to take what we are given or make and life in contentment with what we have. Then and only then can we ever expect to be given
more w/more responsibility.

I feel like an idiot that it has taken me this long to learn this, but on the bright side atleast I am not 65 or 70 learning this too late.

So I am very disappointed that I won't be able to do this and my husband is devestated and is struggleing with guilt and shame
because he feels as though he has bruoght this all on us.

I covet your deep prayers for our family, for employment, health care, housing, food, enough to pay our bills and care for our children. I have two kids graduating from
high school this year and with that brings a lot of expenses.

Anyway, I am so grateful you are all here and that I can turn to you and not food, because 2 years ago I would, whether we had the money or not, run to the store and grab as many
donuts and candy as I could to deal with this.
Please also keep in your prayers every other family in this same situation, because unfortuneately there are millions of us.

I love you all
Trish

Sorry your family is still having problems, but you are learning a valuable lesson and that in itself is a blessing. In my own life I've found that God does indeed supply all my needs, not all my wants but everything that is a necessity. Check with your local churches and see if any of them have a finances class or study as many of them do. This can teach you and husband just how to be good stewards of God's gifts and then you can handle your finances in a Biblical way and know you are doing what God wants. Maybe moving in with family is the help God is giving you for now so don't let pride or embarrasment keep you from accepting this help. It will give you the opportunity to re-group and then maybe you can get to schooling. I don't know what kind of schooling you are looking at but there are lots of scholarship programs and grant money out there. Check with the school's financial aids office. I also suggest hubby actually go to some companies because computer resumes aren't always taken too seriously, I truely wish you all the best and will indeed pray for God's guidance in your lives. God bless!

Dear Trish,
My heart is tender for you. I know that desperate times feel...well, desperate. Please know that I'm not trying to reprimand you in ANY way, because I've been there, for sure. I've just learned some things along the way. Take these as reminders, if you want to.
1) Make sure you're tithing, faithfully. While we are not to test God, there is one area we can, for He says, "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse [your local church] and prove me, if I will not open the window of heaven and pour you out a blessing such that you will not be able to contain." Of course, God's blessings encompass more than financial blessings, but God will work out your finances, too, as you yield to Him.
2) Resist the temptation to fear the future. "God has not given you the spirit of fear but of love and a sound mind." Satan is the author of fear. He wants you to fear and become discouraged, depressed, etc. "Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
3) Pray! "Pray about everything." "Pray without ceasing." "Pray with thanksgiving." "Let your requests be made known unto God." There are so many verses on "Be anxious for nothing" and pray. One thing we Christians tend to forget is that "When you pray, believe you receive, and you shall have whatsoever you asked." When do you believe you receive the answer? It's not when you see the answer. It's at the moment you pray. I know that's hard, and we tend to believe something when we see it. But that's not faith. Ask specifically for what you need God to do for you and your family. After that, continue to thank Him that the answer is on its way. The Bible talks about God's ministering angels who bring answers and provision. If we doubt, it stops them on their journey, so stay in faith.
4) Praise! The Bible says that "God inhabits the praises of His people," so if you want Him on the scene for sure, praise Him. Praise Him, no matter what. He has good plans for you, and even when things look bleak, praise Him that the turnaround is coming around! One of my favorite sayings is, "God's gonna bless someone; it might as well be me!" I imagine God smiling, every time I say that.
Well, I could go on, but those are my top 4 Life Lessons. Remember, take what you want and leave the rest.
You are in my prayers. I know that Jehovah-Jireh (the God Who Provides) will come through for you, as you yield to Him and His Word. His Word is true; He cannot lie. As you trust in Him, He will guide your path. He loves you, Trish.
Love, Because of Calvary,
Mary

My husband and I found ourselves in financial trouble a few years ago (oh it didn't start then, but we realized that we were in trouble then). We did take a financial course from Dave Ramsey and it has just changed our lives. we learned how to budget and cut up all of our credit cards along with a bunch of other things that is helping us. We live with less than we did back then, but we are digging our way out of debt. I also know that it is a Biblical principal that when you sow into the Kingdom of God you will reap a harvest. We give to see the Kingdom advance, but there are promises attached to giving as well. God's system seems backwards sometimes, but it works every time. 

Just know that it is God's will that you prosper in every area of your life. He will help you get out of this and go on to do what He has planned for you.  I'm praying for you. Hugs-amy