And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]. (2 Corinthians 9:8 – AMP)

God wants to provide everything you need to get through this life. He doesn’t want you to worry for even one minute about money or possessions. Just read the sixth chapter of the book of Matthew to be convinced of this. God isn’t about asking us to work hard to deserve the things we need and want to make our lives work. He actually wants to give them to us in abundance. This is true even when our circumstances appear to be saying something different.

When you find yourself in debt, this scripture may seem a little hard to believe. Where was this sort of provision right before you went into debt? Why didn’t God speak up in the middle of your circumstances to “keep” you from reaching for the credit card? While these are understandable questions (and the basis for another day’s blog post), it’s time to forget the past and press forward into new choices that will eradicate the need for any more debt.

Here are four things you can do right now to put the credit cards on ice and position yourself for God’s provision today:

Get clear on who God really is. Sometimes we have unfounded beliefs about who God is and what he can do. The truth is, God is BIG! He has more than enough resource to fund each of our lives in abundance. God wants to provide in such a way that we would “always and under all circumstances and whatever need” have enough – and even an abundance – for every good work and charitable act. Our God created the entire universe out of nothing! Surely he can provide enough for us to pay the light bill and to help the single mom down the street. Our God is the type who even gives some resource simply to be enjoyed (Ecclesiastes 5:19).

Knowing the truth about God is key when you set out to cut up the credit card. If you can’t perceive that God is bigger than a debt balance, you’ll never be able to trust him to help get you out of debt. If you haven’t come to know or understand the scriptures in the Bible pertaining to how he wants to bless you and provide for you, you’ll never feel empowered to step out and trust God for your financial freedom. God told Abraham, “I will certainly bless you.” (Genesis 22:17) He’s saying the same thing to you! Your God will certainly bless you. Get into the Word and grab a clear picture of who God really is. Like Paul told the Corinthians, “He is able!”

Make a decision to believe who God really is. Even the devil knows God exists (James 2:19). Hebrews 11:6 tells us it’s not enough to simply believe he exists. If we want to see what God can do, we have to believe he is a rewarder of those who seek him out. We have to stretch our faith. In Psalm 91:2, David declares, “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Were you aware that all of the promises found in Psalm 91 not only hinge on what we believe about God and our relationship to him, but on what we say about him? Verse 3 of the Amplified translation follows David’s declaration with, “For [then] he will . . . .” The words we speak fix what we believe, and they have the ability to transform our perspectives and our reality. Our words give life to our beliefs. When you begin to speak in line with who God really is, you will bring life to that truth in all circumstances you find yourself in.  If you really want to see a change in your financial habits – like a lasting détente with the credit card – you’ve got to make a quality decision to believe what the Bible says about God. And then you’ve got to start speaking it.

Consider yourself worthy of God’s provision. We’ve got to believe we are worthy of the blessing and provision of God. Easy in theory, but tough in application, right?  The only way I’ve found to be able to accomplish this feat is to soak in the Word of God. I pour over verses like Romans 8:16-17 where Paul tell us that we are co-heirs with Christ in his inheritance, and Colossians 1:12 where he says God has qualified us for an inheritance. I also love Luke 12:32 where Jesus says, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” And any of the books of John that speak of God’s love are great places to sit and eat and meditate. Basking in the love of God will build a sense of worthiness in you and will help you to feel confident in God’s desire to provide for you in all things.

Pray . . . while you engage in practical wisdom for your finances. If we want God to show up in our finances, we’re going to have to pray. But prayer alone is rarely the answer to getting out of debt and staying out of it. It takes practical work to change habits. So while you pray for strategies and solutions and favor and revelation, make sure you’re also engaging in wise financial habits. Cut up the credit card. Prepare and follow a realistic budget. Get accountable with someone on areas of spending you can’t seem to curtail. Set financial goals for yourself so you have practical motivation. (You can find tools and tips for all of these strategies and more on our 10-Day Money Challenge page.)  Practicing wise financial habits will help get you back on track. Prayer, in the midst of these actions, will add additional strategy, timing and encouragement while you’re walking out the practical.

You don’t need credit to prosper! What you do need is a big God, big faith, big confidence and some old fashioned discipline. In every situation you find yourself in and with any kind of need you come up against, God wants to provide for you. He wants you to pull out your established faith in him . . . not your credit card.