Let me ask you something today.

Have you started to believe that you are your debt?

That because you messed up with money or just couldn't keep up with

it, that you're somehow a failure?

Let me tell you the truth.

Debt is a circumstance.

It's not your identity, and it's not the end of your story.

Stick with me because before we talk about numbers and spreadsheets, we're gonna

confront the lies debt tells us, and more importantly, how to break free from them.

Hey there.

Welcome back to your Daily, financially Confident Christian.

I'm Ralph and I'm really glad you're here with me today.

This is the show that helps you answer the question, how do I become

a financially confident Christian?

We're continuing our series dealing with the stress of money worries.

Now, up to this point, we've talked about building habits.

We've talked about budgeting, we've talked about tracking.

We've talked about saving for the unexpected, but there's one weight

so many people carry into every financial decision, and that's debt.

And today's episode isn't just about what you owe.

It's about what that debt may be doing to your identity.

So let's dig in from right there.

Now, maybe you've carried this debt for years, or maybe it built

up fast after a crisis, but over time, if you're not careful, that

debt starts to whisper lies to you.

Let me name just a few of those lies.

Lie number one.

You're bad with money always have been.

Always will be.

How many of us can say, we've heard that one before?

And that's a lie Straight from the enemy.

You are not stuck.

You are being refined, not defined by this season of your life.

And I just want you to remember this, God's mercies are new every

morning, even in your finances.

How about lie number two?

You'll never get out.

So what's the point in trying?

Well, that right there, that's hopelessness talking.

But Galatians chapter six, verse nine, says something absolutely beautiful.

It says this.

It says, let us not grow weary in doing good for in due season.

We will reap a harvest if we don't give up.

Even the smallest step towards freedom counts, and how about

this lie, you should be ashamed.

How many of us have heard that or felt that in our own hearts?

But the book of Romans, chapter eight, verse one says this, it

says, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

And I want you to hear that.

If you hear nothing else, I say today, shame is not from God.

Conviction, yes, that's from God.

But shame not at all.

That's the enemy trying to steal your hope.

Let's get back into the word.

The Book of Proverbs, chapter 22, verse seven says this.

It says, the borrower is slave to the lender.

And listen, if you've ever felt trapped by debt, you know

exactly what that verse means.

But the beautiful thing about our faith is that God doesn't leave us in chains.

He calls us into freedom, not just spiritually and hear me on this, not just

spiritually, but financially as well.

And that freedom, that freedom today starts with a renewed mindset.

It's not just an updated budget, but it's a transformed belief system.

So here's your one action item for today, and let me tell you right now, it's not

a spreadsheet, it's a mindset inventory.

Again, a mindset inventory, and I want you to just take 10 minutes,

find a quiet place, sit with a journal or maybe some kind of notes

app, and ask yourself this one.

Very important question,

what do I believe about myself because of my debt?

I'm gonna ask you that again and ask yourself this question,

what do I believe about myself?

Because of my debt.

Now I want you to write it down.

I want you to write down all of it, the honest, the raw, even the painful thoughts

that come to mind when you think on that.

And then next to each statement, I want you to write this,

but the truth is, but the truth is.

And I want you to use scripture.

I want you to use hope, speak like you'd speak to a dear friend, because listen,

debt is real, but so is redemption.

and we've gotta fight the battle in our mind before we

can ever fight it in our wallet.

Let's pray together.

Father God, we come to you carrying not just numbers on a page, we

come to you carrying emotions.

We come to you carrying fears, and Lord, we come to you carrying open wounds.

Some of us feel stuck, Lord, some of us feel ashamed.

Some of us don't even know where to begin, Lord, but you are the God of freedom.

You are the God of second chances, and you are the God who sees us as

we are and still calls us forward.

Lord, help us today to name the lies we believe and replace them with truth.

Truth from your word, Lord, truth about who we are in you.

Lord, we ask that you would renew our minds so that we can walk in freedom,

A freedom you've already promised us.

And Lord, we just ask this in confidence.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Well, this was a different kind of episode today.

It was not about the normal debt math, but about debt mindset.

It's about a mindset, and maybe just maybe this mindset shift is the

key to finally breaking that cycle.

And if you did today's journal exercise or if it spoke to you, would you do

me a huge favor and share it with someone else who is hurting, who is

in debt, someone that would trust you, and someone that needs to hear this.

And don't forget, I've got a free resource that will help you take that next step.

It's my book.

It's called Mastering Your Finances.

It's short.

It's just 47 pages.

It's simple, but let me just tell you right now, it's packed with

the tools to help you walk out of debt and step into confidence.

And for the first 100 listeners who visit the website financially confident

christian.com/master, you'll get a free copy, no strings attached.

I just wanna give it to you today so that you can use it to help you moving forward.

That's financially confident christian.com/master.

Now, tomorrow we're gonna actually talk about the numbers.

Now that you've cleared that fog in your mind, you'll be ready to make a plan.

So let's go out there and be financially confident.

Christians, you can do this.

I have confidence in you.

Have confidence in yourself.

I just encourage you to stay financially savvy, may God bless you,

and you have a great day to today.