Laugh More, Spend Less

Have  you ever bought a new pair of shoes because you are having a bad day?

I have. 

Is this the best way to comfort our hearts?

Sometimes we spend money to reward ourselves for a job well done, but more often we spend money frivolously when we are struggling emotionally or just worn out from the cares of life. 

Unfortunately, when we spend money we haven't budgeted for, it has to come from somewhere. It may postpone something we are saving for like a new house or family vacation. Or it may add to our growing debt. Then we deepen the frustration or sadness we are struggling with. 

Hey, I get it. There's something that feels good about whipping out that credit card to purchase things you don't really need. But, like all quick fixes, the momentary delight soon vanishes. 

I think we live in a battle zone. We face real pain, real discouragement. But those things are not our enemy--that's just the result of living in a fallen world. 

The real enemies we face our satan and his demons who lie to our hearts and through the world we live in. We are bombarded with lies that buying something will help us feel happy. We spend our money on what is not bread--it will not feed our souls. 

God has a different plan. 

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“Come, all you who are thirsty,
    come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
    and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
    and you will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
    listen, that you may live" (Isaiah 55:1-3). 

​I want to suggest an alternative. 

Let Jesus refresh  you. 

How?

Here are some suggestions: 

Pour your heart out in prayer
Read the Psalms
Highlight all your favorite Scripture promises in pink
Play your favorite worship songs and sing along
Call a friend and ask her to pray for  you
Watch an encouraging Christian movie like Facing the Giants

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We all go through hard things, sometimes for a very long time. Let's not put a band-aide on a wound that needs stitches. Let's go to Jesus and let Him refresh our soul. 

You will spend less, but as His joy fills your heart, you will laugh more!

If you would like to grow closer to Jesus and experience more of His Presence in your life, consider Lovely to Behold, a Bible study that takes you from the joyful truths of the Gospel to delve into the joys of Christian living: abiding, our Heavenly Father's love, our forever family, friendship, health, beauty, and season of life. You can purchase Lovely to Behold at Amazon. The E-book is available at PayHip and Currclick. 

As you draw closer to Jesus, His joy will fill your life and your need to spend money to comfort yourself will fade away. 

Praying for you that Jesus will fill you with joy and rescue you from every attack of the enemy of your soul. He loves you! 

In Christ, 
Meredith Curtis

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