Financial concerns rate among the top stressors for adults of all ages worldwide. Shonda Whitworth shares how she and her husband learned sound financial principles and implemented strategies in their lives that restored their financial peace after a position of debt forced them into personal bankruptcy.

On a recent episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective podcast, I chatted with Shonda about how she and her husband made it through bankruptcy and what they learned about God and themselves along the way [How To Cope When Facing Bankruptcy as a Christian – Episode 113].

You may remember Shonda from an earlier podcast episode when she shared about her son’s incarceration [Hope for Parents of Incarcerated Children – Episode 48], and her guest blog post where she shared about a new way of praying that she learned [Life as a Mother of a Convicted Felon: From Shattered Hope to Confident Hope].

I’ve asked Shonda to share more of the hope that she found regarding financial peace with you here today.

Read to the end for a book giveaway!

Restoring Financial Peace: 3 Strategies to Implement
by Shonda Whitworth

The Bible says the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came to give us an abundant life (John 10:10). When the enemy steals our finances, peace is snatched as well.

Before my husband and I surrendered our lives to the Lord, we lived for our own pleasures. We thought nothing of using credit cards to pay for vacations or luxury items for the home. That is until our credit line maxed out at which point, we were forced to face reality, buckle down, and make a plan to pay off our debts.

Years after becoming debt-free, we launched a side business apart from my husband’s employment. The goal was to build the dream business for our retirement years. But once again we found ourselves in a position of debt that forced us into personal bankruptcy.

In spite of our failures in properly stewarding our finances, the Lord extended grace and mercy. I experienced God’s unconditional love through these difficult years.

3 Strategies that restored financial peace

Besides learning sound financial principles such as spending less than you earn and saving, here are three strategies we implemented in our lives to restore peace:

1. My husband and I have honest conversations about our finances.

Prior to these financial hardships, we each spent money or charged credit cards without discussing it with one another. As a result, accounts were being depleted and credits limits were being maxed out. By doing our own thing apart from one another, we gave the enemy a foothold.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor” (Ecclesiastes 4:9 NKJV).

By coming together, we find reward for our labor. So now we schedule regular budget meetings to ensure we are achieving our financial goals.

2. We seek the Lord on major financial decisions.

Before making any major purchase, my husband and I first discuss it with one another. If we are not in agreement, we stop there or continue negotiating with one another until we have agreement for the purchase.

Once we have agreement with each other, we pray about it and then wait for confirmation to proceed. Confirmation may be an inner peace about the decision. But if the inner peace wanes after a few days, then it may be an indicator to let that purchase pass.

“Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14).

Or confirmation may come from having wise counsel from a trusted financial counselor.

3. We choose to have a Christian financial advisor guide us on our financial affairs.

Having a financial advisor keeps us accountable to each other and on track for our financial goals. As we move closer toward our retirement years, there are areas we need to keep an eye on in order to make the best plans to reach those objectives.

Receiving periodic financial advice allows us to readily shift with the uncertain economic times.

“Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established” (Proverbs 15:22).

By having open dialogue with my husband regarding our finances, seeking the Lord on major purchases, and having a financial advisor, we conquered debt and press into stewarding our finances according to God’s will for our lives. As a result, this closes the door on the enemy which restores peace in the area of our finances.

What principles or strategies have you learned to maintain financial peace in your home? We’d love to hear in the comments below!

 

About Shonda Whitworth:

Shonda Whitworth writes, teaches, and speaks at conferences and retreats to share the hope of healing and restoration we have in Jesus. After her son landed in state prison, she realized the hardships families of prisoners encounter. She and her husband, Eldon, founded Fortress of Hope Ministries, a nonprofit organization that offers hope to families affected by incarceration. Shonda transparently shares her testimony of living with a son in prison at ShondaWhitworth.com and FortressofHopeMinistries.com.

Connect with Shonda Whitworth: Website / Facebook Shonda / Twitter / LinkedIn Shonda / Facebook Fortress / LinkedIn Fortress / Twitter Fortress

 

Book Giveaway!

In conjunction with this post and the podcast interview, How To Cope When Facing Bankruptcy as a Christian – Episode 113, Shonda Whitworth is giving away a free copy of her book, Appeal to the Courtroom of Heaven: Petitions for Prisoners and Prison Families.

Leave a comment below sharing with us one thing you’ve learned about strategies that restore financial peace and you will be entered into the contest for your chance to win a copy of her book.

You could also share this blog post on Facebook or Twitter then comment here to tell us where you shared it and you’ll also be entered into the drawing.

The winner will be selected at random and announced next Monday, June 21, 2021. Continental United States only.