How to Overcome Stress from Family Financial Problems

In married life, financial problems come and go. A child’s school registration fee falls short; a child gets sick but the savings are gone; a company goes bankrupt and cannot pay employees’ salaries. These scenarios can happen in your life and mine. Whether because of lifestyle, financial management, or the decisions we make, the family economy is affected as well. 

God allows problems to come for a good purpose, namely so that we may become stronger, more mature, and wiser. Yet the frustration of facing them is sometimes unavoidable, and it can have a harmful effect on the harmony of your marriage. As followers of Christ, how do we get through these difficult times?

While you are working toward a way out, the following steps can help you reduce stress

1. Entrust Your Worries to God

Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7

Worrying is human. Being anxious about money is normal. However, if you only keep worrying without looking for a solution and surrendering to God, it will become a serious problem. 

Speaking of stress related to financial hardship, my wife and I have gone through it several times. When we were preparing for marriage, we were extremely worried. I did not come from wealth; both of my parents had passed away, and my siblings each had their own financial burdens. My future wife’s father had also passed away, while her mother did not work. As a result, we had to bear the wedding expenses and find the solution ourselves. 

Even though my wife and I were both working, it still was not enough. We tried everything, from taking side jobs as a writer and private tutor to selling snacks. But no matter what, it still was not enough. In the middle of that worry, all we could do was surrender to God. 

A way out opened for us when we sought advice from spiritual mentors, as well as friends who were already married. We were guided to focus on solutions and continually pray. The result? Before the wedding day, seventy-five percent of the expenses had already been paid. We settled the rest with gift money. There were even a few million rupiah left over for us to save.

When problems grip us, we tend to rely on our own strength and forget that  God is able to overcome every situation. So, learn to entrust your worries to God. If we could do it, you certainly can too.

2. Live According to Your Income

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in every circumstance. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. In every situation and in all things I have learned the secret, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can endure all things through Him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:11-13

After we got married, we both kept working. The good news was that we could cover all our household needs. The bad news: I was wasteful. Whatever I wanted, I would buy right away, even though I did not actually need it. As a result, I fought with my wife. 

Thankfully, we were helped by several friends to learn how to manage money. Because my wife is wiser in handling finances, she is the one who takes care of the householdfinances. When I want to buy something, I talk to her first. The same is true the other way around.

We also trained ourselves to have a lifestyle that matched our income. We often saw how couples whose income was far higher than ours fought bitterly and were entangled in debt everywhere. This was because their lifestyle exceeded their income. For a while, they looked prosperous, but in the end they became poor. There were even couples who eventually divorced because they were unable to resolve their family financial problems. 

From Paul, we learned to be content in all things. We use the money God gives according to our needs. Now we are able to save and pay installments on a house. Another benefit is that we are free from stress caused by debt we cannot repay. We are spared arguments over buying unnecessary things, and we do not have to be hurt because we cannot afford to buy something we need.

3. Be Open to Advice from the Right People

One of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. But now the creditor has come to take my two children as his slaves.” 

Elisha answered her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She said, “Your servant has nothing at all in the house except a jar of oil.” 

– 2 Kings 4:1-2

Perhaps you can imagine how stressed this widow of Elisha’s servant must have been. After grieving the loss of her husband, she was terrorized by debt collectors who wanted to take her two children as payment. She had no possessions, except a jar of oil. After listening to her distress, Elisha gave her a solution. When the woman carried it out, a miracle happened, so that she was able to pay all her debts by selling the oil (2 Kings 4:3-7).

The widow of Elisha’s servant succeeded in overcoming her financial problem because she went to the right person, told her problem honestly, and followed the advice she was given. Help yourself by going to the right people or to those who are more experienced, whom you know are able to guide you. That way, your problem can be resolved and you can grow to a higher level still.

Several times we have given financial advice to married couples, but some refused to follow it. Their reason was that they felt older, with grown children, and already seasoned by life’s many experiences. How could a younger couple possibly know better about family financial solutions, they thought. As a result, they never escaped their financial problems.

Be open to receiving input, whether from people who have struggled through a similar situation or from those who are experts in finance. No matter how good the advice we receive is, and no matter who gives it, a proud attitude will keep us struggling in the same financial hardship. On the other hand, humility and a flexible mindset will open the doors to the solutions you need. 

The Solution Is Actually Simple

Tips for escaping stress caused by family financial problems are actually simple. Do your part as well as you can and keep surrendering to God. Entrust your worries to God. Whatever amount of material blessing God gives will surely be enough for you, even more than enough, if your lifestyle matches your means. Do not forget to value the people who are willing to listen to your troubles, be humble in receiving input, and most importantly, put that advice into practice. Give it a try, and may you soon find relief!

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