My Financial Disaster: How Do I Forgive Myself? EP 33

Why Do My Grandparents Want Their Money Back

Rebecca moved far away from her family for a new job. Her grandparents loaned her $1,000 to help with her job transition. The money was for her rent deposit and some living expenses incurred before her job started. Now, her grandparents want their $1,000 back.

If only it were that simple. Rebecca has really been through it since moving! Her car was totaled by a drunk driver. Later, the driver died by suicide. Then she had health issues arise from all the stress. Now, she has an $11,000 hospital bill which doesn’t include physical therapy expenses.

Her grandparents don’t understand how difficult this is for her and are very angry with her. They want her to be closer to home. Rebecca says, she could have a better paying job but not sure if that’s what God wants her to do.

How Do I Forgive Myself

Rebecca wants advice on: What she can do to forgive herself for what she’s done to contribute to her financial disaster. She also asks, should she distance herself from her grandparents while still maintaining her obligations?

She's Too Hard on Herself

Rebecca’s being too hard on herself. She’s gone through so much and is stable. She has another vehicle and has a new job on the horizon. She has a lot going for her. Her grandparents may want her back living where they are, or they might just be fearful that they are never going to get their money back. Rebecca does need to communicate with her grandparents and let them know what her plans are.

Peer to Peer: Message of Hope for Rebecca

Ann called and encouraged Rebecca to trust God through all of what she’s going through; to trust God with her grandparents and her job and all her worries.

Stop Blaming Yourself, Trust God

Ann said as she listened to Rebecca’s story, she kept thinking about Proverbs 3:5-6. Sometimes you have to surrender it all and you have to trust God. Give your grandparents and the job to God. Ann had a situation in her life where she prayed about moving to Texas and God said to go. She arrived in Texas and there was no job but then 3 days later, God had another job for her. Even that job was temporary, but every time one door closed, He opened another door. Ann says to trust God and put Him first. She tells Rebecca, stop blaming yourself, trust God! Trust God to show you where to go and who to talk to. God is going to take care of your grandparents and take care of everything.

Meditate and think on Proverbs 3:5-6:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”

What advice would you give Rebecca?

Have you ever had a financial disaster? Or taken a loan from a family member and not been able to pay it back when they wanted it back? Maybe you’ve even been the person who loaned money to a friend or family member. If you have insight into Rebecca’s situation, would you share in the comments below? What you have to say could be the encouragement Rebecca or someone else needs to find hope in their journey.

Did Today’s Episode Get You Thinking?

Rebecca’s really been through a lot, but Ann’s advice is spot on. She needs to trust the Lord. Rebecca had a setback in her life but she’s fighting through it. She’s pursuing a new job, trying to make a plan to pay back her grandparents, and is praying for guidance from the Lord. We will all face challenges and adversity in our lives but if we can get to the point of trusting God, even when we don’t comprehend and understand it all, then that’s where God can work. He will pick up the pieces and help us to get on the right path. May God’s will be done in Rebecca’s life and in yours!

Resources for Hope and Forgiving Yourself

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