How to surge upstream: money grit and heart hope

​Living on a budget can feel like you are swimming upstream against a heavy current pushing you back faster than you can swim. It can be frustrating to live on less than you make and always work so hard to make ends meet, yet seeming to get nowhere.

In order to prevent the desire to give up and just let myself be carried downstream, I often tune into the Dave Ramsey show for sound, practical advice on how to live on less than you make so you can get out of debt and build your savings.[Tweet "How to surge upstream: money grit and heart hope"]

I listen for the heart hope and encouragement found in how other people have struggled to surge upstream with an incredible amount of bravery and have won.

There is inspiration to lift my head out of water, catch my breath, and continue to reach forward cupping the water to surge forward. If others can slog through debt and pay cash for school (or other financial stresses) with grit and determination, I believe I too, can surge upstream, and I keep swimming.[Tweet "If others can slog through debt, I believe I can too. "]

Since my husband and I became debt free in the spring of 2010, a long term perspective on money has started to grow in my heart and mind.

First, the continuous struggle to make it upstream is not permanent

Every month living below our means and each opportunity to stress trust God to provide for our every need is building endurance in our hearts. One of the blessings in disguise of being freelance interpreter, is the continual dependence on God to bring enough work each month.

We have become grateful and attentive to the many blessings and provisions which have come our way. If we had quickly made it through the period of financial stress, any success would be a temptation to pat ourselves on the back for our own accomplishments instead of acknowledging the gifts God has bestowed upon us.

Managing the resources God has graciously given to us, in a way which brings honor to His name, by staying out of debt, living below our means, and saving for the future, instills the knowledge deep into our hearts we are simply stewards and nothing we have is truly ours.[Tweet "I'm simply a steward of God's resources."]

Second, my financial struggles have been given in part, to help others.

All these years striving have given me strength, compassion and desire to help others who are trying to swim upstream against the relentless current of financial hardship.

While I have not finished swimming upstream myself, I am able to throw a strong rope of encouragement to those behind who are sputtering and sinking in their finances.

Keep on swimming, you can make it to the mouth of the river. We both can. I see it from where I am right now. The river opens into a beautiful, peaceful lake deep with contentment and blessing.

Please don't give up and be swept downstream into the dark and dank swamp full of debt and money stress. Keep swimming.

[Tweet "Don't be swept downstream into the dark and dank swamp of debt. "]

Offering encouragement is vastly different from throwing you a life-saver. You will need to actually swim upstream yourself, otherwise I am the only one building up muscles and strength.

I've never wanted to be a body builder.

However, I'm just up ahead. Listen to my splashing and you'll know which way to take. Just keep reaching out one arm in front of you, now the other one.

You'll be surging forward too, with your own money grit and heart hope. You can do it.

Third, along with financial blessing comes great responsibility

Lately, I have realized how small, consistent actions with money over time do lead to winning financially, bringing the blessing of surplus and the ability to give generously to others.

No, rather the strong character and unforgettable lessons we develop through the years of swimming upstream coupled with the generous gifts God gives, allows us to have the humbling ability to be His stewards of His tremendous resources in a whole new way.

Managing wealth simply means our lives have been blessed in order to be a inspiring blessing, abundantly giving to hurting people in our corner of the world and stewarding well the money God has given to us.[Tweet "Along with financial blessing comes great responsibility."]

The beautiful, peaceful lake, deep with contentment and blessing is ahead along with the responsibility to honor God in a season of plenty, since our character and trust in God has been strengthened through our swim upstream in the season of just barely enough.

Yes, I am fully aware the lake ahead may not be the end of our journey as we very well may have to swim across the lake and then upstream again fighting through another season of financial hardship.

However, on a recent Dave Ramsey's show, I was encouraged to keep on swimming upstream towards the lake, despite getting cold water in my face, as Dave was interviewing several people who had conquered the river, won with money and ended up becoming first generation millionaires over their lifetime.

The holler back to me to keep swimming came from the examples, habits, and patterns shared in these millionaires' lives.

Common threads of starting from nothing, one guy was even homeless, working hard, paying off debt and saving regularly for 30-40 years inspired me. They all practiced frugality, contentment, and generous giving, most not buying a brand, new car until after having a net worth of a million dollars.[Tweet "Practice frugality, contentment, and generous giving. Keep swimming upstream!"]

Most had a pretty average income over their lifespan and were very humble, just regular folk who had a pattern of small, smart money decisions scattered through their lives. They had the money grit and heart hope to keep swimming upstream when finances were tight.

I want my life to be marked by this type of strong character and frugal habits. I want to win with money, do you?

Now is the time to keep swimming, surging upstream. Let's keep thrusting one arm ahead, now the other one, propelling our finances forward and encouraging those taking on water behind us.

Do you need some more encouragement to keep swimming?
https://youtu.be/I7XnnsCt6us

Are you surging upstream?

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