Another thing that makes it even sadder for me is that at the end of December and at the beginning of January, there are virtually no essays to review. In my job, no work = no pay. If I feel broke at the end of December, I would have to wait a long time before the flow of money improves again.
That was last year. Well, to be honest, I still experience the same bankruptcy factors. I still spent a lot last month for gifts; in fact, I spent more than last year. There are still very few, virtually zero essays to review this year. However, I don't feel broke. I'm not broke at all!
First, I worked harder and I worked longer hours.
During the month of November and the first half of December, there were a lot of essays coming in. We might not have your 13th month pay and Christmas bonuses, but we have bonus schemes that allowed us to earn more if we reviewed more essays. I took advantage of this time because I know I will surely spend a lot on Christmas - and the dry season will be coming next.
During this time, I barely took a break and worked harder. Of course, I still worked within my usual 8:30 - 5 schedule, but I did not allow myself to have idle moments. I was tired all the time, but I knew I would not have any during the dry season if I didn't work my arse off.
If you're wondering how I blogged daily, well, I have already established a routine that worked for me!
Proverbs 10:5
He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
Second, I was faithful in setting aside money monthly for my emergency fund.
I had begun establishing an emergency fund late last year, and I don't have much yet. However, it's wise to set aside regularly because in time, it will be enough. Now, no matter how much the fund contains, it allows me to have peace of mind knowing that I can dip into it if I encounter an emergency. I'd rather have a little amount set aside than have nothing at all!
Proverbs 30:25
Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;
Third, during the time when I had plenty, I set aside for the dry season.
I mentioned above that there were times when I earned a lot because I worked a lot (remember, no work = no pay!). Please take note that I didn't spend all of what I earned. Aside from my regular savings for my emergency fund, I also set aside a little amount to tide me over once the dry season begins.
It was hard knowing how many sales there were during the Christmas Season, but I only spent for Yuri and not for myself. Okay, so that wasn't really sound advice but I could not resist buying for Yuri! I also refrained from availing expensive services that are not urgent (read: salon). While it was hard, especially since my feeds were filled with photos of other people going on shopping galores and makeovers, now that my dry season has begun, I don't regret not spending too much!
Proverbs 21:20
The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.
Fourth, I was faithful in tithing - praise God!
Many people have this notion that it's a lot harder to tithe when you have little and a lot easier when you have much. I beg to disagree. If you find it hard to tithe (or, if you want a secular term, give or donate) when you have little, imagine how harder it gets if you have much? It would be impossible for you to give.
For example, let's assume that a man tithes 10% of his salary. If he only earns P10,000, he only needs to tithe P1,000. However, once his salary doubles, he would need to tithe P2,000. You can argue that it would be easier for him to tithe this amount because he already earns double, but the reality is once we earn more, our expenses also grow. Despite the salary difference, the fact remains that P2k is larger than P1k. If this man hasn't established tithing when he had little, he wouldn't tithe when he has more.
The truth is, no matter how much or how little you earn, tithing will always have that sting. However, we need to praise God because if it doesn't sting, it doesn't count! The joy here is trying to be a cheerful and faithful giver despite the sting! (Don't imagine what you could have bought with that amount because it's not yours in the first place!)
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Fifth, I prayed for an abundance mindset.
I didn't always think like this. In fact, just weeks ago, I almost lost sleep trying to calculate how much I needed to pay and whether the remaining money would be enough for this month. Then, God spoke to me and said I shouldn't worry because He's in control. What comforting words! God then reminded me of what it really means to have an "abundance mindset."
You see, this is not just a mantra or a byword of many financial advisors. It is a Biblical way of life. God wants us to depend on Him, and sometimes, He uses dry spells and the desert for us to realize that we could never go through life alone. Remember what happened to the Israelites? They were wandering in the desert for 40 years, but they always had something to eat (manna), and their shoes and clothing were never worn! God took care of them. (Deuteronomy 29:5)
I'm now in the desert, metaphorically speaking of course, but I have learned to let go and let God. I couldn't control what happens today, this month, or this year, but God is in control. Isn't that great? The abundance mindset is living in anticipation for the blessings that lie ahead. It is counting on God's grace to live through the day. It is being content on what you have and not comparing it to what others have. It is living positively and knowing that God is a loving and providing Father.
Matthew 6:31-34
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
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I was supposed to write a short post just asking you how you are doing, but apparently, God has a different plan. I should say sorry for this long post (just like what they do in 9Gag), but if you made it here to the end of the post, congratulations and thank you! I hope you learned something today!
My verse of the day:
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