by Sarah Dull

A recent blog post called out the continuing anxiety most of us are still living with.

Over the past few years, we have developed a public narrative that the world is scarier than ever, we are hopelessly divided into political factions, we are powerless to create institutional change, and we’re on a perilous course to global destruction via climate change. 

Rev. Cameron Trimble

Any of that resonate with you? It did me! The current public narrative also includes anxiety around financial matters; escalating inflation, threat of another recession, there isn’t enough, and so on – scary!

Throughout scripture God tells us “do not be afraid”. In Matthew 6:25-26, Jesus explicitally tells us:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

How wonderful to be as carefree as the birds in the air! Unfortunately, for most of us fallible humans, this is easier said than done. For many people, the answer to fear is to avoid what we perceive to be the source of that fear. In our financial lives that can lead to “Money Avoidance”.

If looking at your financial statements fills you with dread; if you put off dealing with financial matters for as long as possible, then you are probably stuck in a money avoidance habit loop. Money avoidance tells our brain that dealing with money is painful so we avoid it, but usually the more we avoid money problems the worse our sitaution becomes. However, there are tools that we can use to help us break this unhealth loop and I wanted to share this one with you.

In January, NPR Life Kits published a podcast featuring Dr. Judson Brewer, author of Unwinding Anxiety. The subject… Money Avoidance, and how to over come it. Dr. Judson explains that money avoidance is a survival instinct. He goes on to explain how to break the money avoidance habit loop. I encourage you to listen to this 16 minute recording for some insight into your money avoidance habits.

click above

If you would like more tools and support to help you deal with anxiety around money and live the abundant life that is promised to us in Christ, please reach out to me or a member of the clergy. It is our privilege to walk with you through all your joys and hardships.

Discussing money can be triggering, prompting feelings of fear or shame. Maybe that is why Jesus talked about money and possessions more than faith and prayer. Sharing our stories can be liberating and transformative.

As with most spiritual practices, we gain strength when we share with and support each other. To write a post, offer resources, submit an article, or do an interview for Finance First Friday blog, please contact Executive Administrator, Sarah Dull. You never know who needs to hear your story.

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