Our society makes it easy to not be content. Social media showcases the "look what I got" mentality of others and we longingly begin to think we're missing out on something.

But there is another way... There is a secret to being content.

Five years is a long time to work on a goal. And I won't lie and tell you that it's been easy for me to stay focused on becoming debt free and living a life of Christ-centered financial wellness. Part of the reason was that I didn't know I needed to be financially well and I thought I was already Christ-centered. 

This is what I learned to make it through.

How many times have you seen the other side of a prayer and were amazed at how blessed you were because of it? How many times have you thanked God later for not giving you something you really wanted? As much as I  hate to admit it, I have been blessed when God doesn't answer my prayer the way I want. Find out why...

What financial moment did you have as a single (either now or before you got married) where you knew you would benefit from having someone walking alongside you? Here are three things I have learned that would have made my "single money" work much better.

What if God were your server at your next dining out experience? What type of tip would you give Him? Would you "grade" Him based on His ability (scratch that...decision) to answer your prayers in a timely manner? Would you be more generous or less generous if your prayer "order" did not meet your expectations?

How many times have you been blessed by an interruption in your life? Or better yet...how many times have you rushed passed an opportunity because it was inconvenient?

Matthew 17:20 tells us...

Have you ever had something that was so overwhelming that you did not think you had the courage to face it? Have you ever had a financial crisis so intense that you felt paralyzed to do anything about it. I have good news! 

Have you been there? Have you ever forgotten all that you are capable of? Have you ever been so bogged down by life or debt or the expectations of yourself (or others) that you lost sight of exactly what you have already accomplished? I have a secret to tell you…

Did you know that most student loan debt accrues daily? Keith and I found out the hard way. Keith’s employer offered student loan repayment for a portion of the loan amount each year. It did not wipe out the entire loan, but was a sizeable amount and we always signed up for it.

What if we managed our money the way I managed my weight? What if we chose to be random about budgeting (on again/off again) the way I was about Weight Watchers? I know with certainty that we would not have paid off nearly as much and would probably have incurred more debt.

We were able to get it all done because we lived by a budget. Month in…month out…we lived by a budget. Because we used a budget, we knew exactly what money was available and could make adjustments midstream. 

I’ve been thinking about Christ-Centered Financial Wellness since 2012. I just didn’t have a name for it. All I knew was that I wanted a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ and I wanted to feel more financially “well.” The idea that they could go together was a great “aha” moment for me and that’s when the vision began to take shape. I’ve learned a lot about both since then and want to share what I’ve learned with you.

If you were visited by a former version of yourself in January or February of next year, what would the experience bring? Would it bring the regret of overspending and the debt to prove it? Or would it bring the peace of knowing that you spent well, accumulated no debt, and thoroughly enjoyed the act of giving?

I’m glad you asked. Here are 3 ways I believe you can reminisce with joy of fonder times.