As we have begun to get our finances under control and seek God about every aspect of money, we can begin to feel a bit overwhelmed. Even the experts have these feelings from time to time, but like many other feelings, this one is a conscious choice. We can choose to feel overwhelmed, or we can choose to take a deep breath, take a break, or find a brief distraction.

Take a Deep Breath

When feeling overwhelmed, make the choice to take a deep breath and concentrate on something else, even if just for a few minutes. For instance, once I realized that feeling overwhelmed was my choice, I learned how to cope with the feeling so as to avoid it. I simply find something productive to occupy my mind, something other than what is frustrating me, and choose not to be overwhelmed any more. Sound too easy? It isn’t…it’s just a matter of choice.  Simply understanding that I could chose to do overwhelm, or not, is very powerful in itself.  It seems I have the control.

Take a Break

There’s nothing wrong with taking a break if you are feeling overwhelmed, especially if you’ve been going at the task for a long time. For example, if you and your spouse have been examining the budget and crunching numbers for hours, take a break for a walk together. If the weather is bad or the neighborhood doesn’t allow for this, watch a movie together. Do something that gets your focus off of the money and onto something totally different so that you can go back to it later with fresh eyes and a clear mind. Don’t forget to pray together before getting started again, and specifically ask God for clarity and peace as you tackle your finances again.

Find a Brief Distraction

As mentioned before, sometimes a distraction can be the key to choosing not to be overwhelmed when dealing with your finances. However, in the long run, the problem has to be addressed and changes have to be made, or the source of your unrest will not be resolved. Keep in mind that, as mum used tot say, ‘we should never put off until tomorrow what we can achieve today,’ and take solace in the fact that once you get your finances under control, you’ll have to do less and less of the crunching, analysing, budgeting, and strategising. It will become easier; it just takes time.

Keep Isaiah 26:3 in mind as you pray over your money:  “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

What a wonderful promise we have in Him; when we focus on Him and put our trust in Him, He will keep us in perfect peace. I love that idea of “perfect” peace—which has to be a peace that is more peaceful than we can imagine. God doesn’t do things halfway, so perfect peace is a total and complete peace—body, soul and spirit—that takes us over and kicks out everything negative.

You’re working hard to learn about money, but don’t make the choice to be overwhelmed. Make the choice to take a breather, relax or think about something else instead. It’s a choice, and only you can make it. Make the right one by trusting in God and keeping your mind focused on Him and His will.