“Hey, want to grab a bite to eat tomorrow night?”

These words often send me into spirals of dread during times of financial hardship.

There have been times when even spending $3 to get ice cream with friends caused a well of anxiety to spring up in me. The thought of a night out and meals sitting uneaten in the fridge would fill me with guilt.

I would constantly calculate and recalculate how much I needed to get through the upcoming months. I couldn’t sleep, my brain reeling through the ways I overspent or could have cut down costs.

Bringing our Worries to God

Are you feeling this way right now? Like you’ll never be able to catch up with all the bills and debts you owe? Like the possibility of ever being able to save up enough for retirement is all a pipe dream?

The Bible tells us we can bring these questions and worries to God (1 Peter 5:7). When we feel like there’s no way out of our bottomless money pit, we can ask God to take care of us. And we can rely on his love for us—even when the bank account runs dry.

Take some time right now to focus your mind, breathe in deeply, and pray through these 4 verses:

Lord, remind me you’ll provide for my needs.

"Look how the wild flowers grow: they don't work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that not even King Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers. It is God who clothes the wild grass—grass that is here today and gone tomorrow, burned up in the oven. Won't he be all the more sure to clothe you? What little faith you have!” —Luke 12:27, 28 (GNTD)

God, give me wisdom to use my resources wisely.

"But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all.” —James 1:5 (GNTD)

Father, help me trust you when I’m struggling.

"God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken and mountains fall into the ocean depths; even if the seas roar and rage, and the hills are shaken by the violence.” —Psalm 46: 1-3 (GNTD)

God, help me give my worry to you.

"Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:6, 7 (GNTD)