Ralph: Yesterday we talked about tracking your spending and if you took that
step, if you have followed through, today is the moment that really matters.
'cause now you're staring at some numbers and maybe you're thinking,
okay Ralph, I've got this list, but what do I do with this now?
Well, let's talk about how to turn that data into direction.
That's what we're gonna cover on today's show.
Hey there friend.
Welcome back to another episode of Financially Confident Christian.
I'm Ralph, and if no one's told you yet today, I am proud of you.
Seriously, I'm proud of you.
If you tracked your spending yesterday, you did something most people just avoid.
You faced your reality and that's a brave step.
And now we're gonna take it to the next level together.
'cause That list of transactions, it's not just numbers; It's a mirror,
and today I wanna help you look at it with wisdom and not worry.
Now I know how this can feel.
You open up your app or your notebook and all those transactions are staring
back at you Fast food here, online purchase is there, and suddenly you
feel this wave of embarrassment.
Or maybe for you, you feel this wave of regret.
I remember the first time I reviewed my spending after tracking it for just a
week, it hit me like a ton of bricks.
I was spending money on things that didn't even reflect what I said I
valued, and I thought to myself, how did I not see this before?
But let me tell you what you're seeing now.
That's not a failure.
Hear me on that.
This is not a failure, it's clarity.
Friend.
Clarity is the beginning of freedom.
Think of it this way, tracking is the flashlight.
Reviewing it is what shows you what's in the room.
Look at the book of Proverbs, chapter 15, verse 22.
It says, this plans fail for lack of counsel, but with
many advisors, they succeed.
What a great Bible verse.
And you know what Your spending data is one of those advisors.
It's not here to condemn you.
but it is here to counsel you.
Because it helps you see the gaps.
And then when you invite God into that process, you turn that fear into
faith and that shame into strategy.
So here's your action step for today, and I want you to keep it simple.
You don't have to solve everything at once.
Step one is to set aside about 15 to 20 minutes today, just like yesterday,
you're building a habit of focus.
Step two.
I want you to bring your budget plan from a few days ago and your
track spending from yesterday.
Now, I know you've only got one day's worth of data, but this is a start.
Step three, I want you to compare where you plan to spend
versus where you actually spent.
Now, I want you to group your spending into those same categories that you
did in that intentional spending plan, like food or gas or giving or personal.
And then the step four, I want you to just look for one or two
key insights, just one or two.
Did anything surprise you?
Where did you go over that intentional spending plan?
where were you under it?
And listen, don't try to fix it all.
Just observe and listen.
I know this is only one day's worth of data, but this is something I want
you to do each week and each month.
And then finally, step five, I just want you to reflect with grace.
Ask yourself this.
What's this teaching me about my habits?
Just that simple question.
What's this teaching me about my habits?
No blame, no shame.
This step is all about simply understanding and
friend that understanding.
That's where confidence starts.
Now, before we go any further, I wanna give you something to help
as we walk this past together.
As we continue this series on money stress, I wanna bless the first a
hundred listeners who take action.
I'm gonna encourage you to go to financially confident
christian.com/master, and I'm gonna give you a free copy of my book.
It's called Mastering Your Finances.
Now, this book is just 47 pages.
It is packed with wisdom.
It's packed with encouragement, and it's packed with just simple next steps.
And best of all, it's completely free.
This could be the breakthrough tool that you've been praying for.
So don't wait.
Go to financially confident christian.com/master and
grab your copy today.
Let's pray together.
Father God, thank you for clarity.
Lord, thank you for the courage to look at our spending with
honesty, and look at it with hope.
And Lord, help us not to feel discouraged, It's so easy to feel that way,
Lord, but help us to feel empowered.
Lord, give us eyes to see those patterns, ears to hear your counsel,
and most of all, Lord hearts, to align our finances with your purpose.
Lord, may we become wise stewards one step at a time, and we ask this in confidence.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Remember, don't let those numbers scare you.
They're just a reflection.
And today you get to respond, not react.
So keep going friend.
You are becoming more financially confident every single day.
So let's go out there and be financially confident.
Christians, you can do this.
I have confidence in you.
Have confidence in yourself.
Stay financially savvy.
God bless you, and I'll see you tomorrow.
Have a great day today.
I.