Many of us are on a fixed income and we are living within the means of our planned retirement. We thought we had prepared wisely. Life has a way of mixing things up.
A car accident that happened to my Sweet Al and me on Aug. 6 last year has been financially costly. My car was totaled and I purchased a newer one. Many trips to doctors, hospital visits in Durango and Colorado Springs, $600.00 for a 30-day supply of medicine not covered by our insurance, co-pays for doctor visits — they have all added up.
I lay out the bills from this recent accident and tell myself, “Don’t panic. Trust heaven’s currency — for money, health and for all my needs, He promised He’d meet them. He swore by Himself. He took an oath. I believe Him.”
The Bible is very direct when we take an oath. Even if it is to our own hurt, we must keep our word. When life changes things, heaven’s currency remains the same even though our faith is being tested.
“… [W]e must be so full of integrity that our ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ is convincing enough and (we) do not stumble into hypocrisy.” — James 5:12 (NKJV).
Before the accident, I was building relationships with my grandchildren. I planned to help them with their extended education, career challenges and a new family’s needs.
I looked at what I had promised them before the medical bills and expenses. I gave my word to help one of my grandchildren. Even though the funds would be tight, the answer was still yes. I will not go back on my promise.
When we keep our word, our integrity is being challenged. Our yes or no has a deeper implication for those involved.
Someone this week doubted her recent decision. She had buyer’s remorse. It’s too late now, but she was beating herself up wondering if she had made the right choice.
I told her, “Before I say yes, I’ll pray. Sometimes I’ll wrestle with the situation for days, waiting for that peace knowing I heard from heaven. It might not be the full answer, but there is a peace to move forward. If I question my decision, I will go back to that moment knowing I heard from heaven and God will back me.”
Through this accident and medical bills, God knows what is on the other side. He is still the Father of lights. He brought us forth by the word of truth. (See James 1:17, 18). So, when I made a commitment before life was turned on its head, I must stick to my promise.
Financially, it’s going to take a little more faith, but the answer to the oath I made with my grandchild remains the same. It’s important my yes stands so that I will not cause my grandchild to stumble with hypocrisy. This is operating from God’s economy. This is turning over the answer I received before. I need to wait and watch the Lord act. If He says “yes,” He means “yes.”
By being wishy-washy, our integrity is compromised and questioned. By waiting to hear from the Lord, then proceeding with that peace He gives, I have the courage to stand on His word when my own word is shaken.
Final brushstroke: My yeses? I know heaven will back me. God never lies. I know His yeses means yes.
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