I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

For many of our Ely and District CAP clients, facing their debts in the second paperwork gathering visit can be daunting. They have realised that they have a problem and have reached out to CAP for help, they have had the first visit and been reassured by the team that they are with them and will walk beside them every step of the way. But for many, they have hidden the full extent of their debt problems even from themselves and facing this in black and white, what their debts are and where their money is going, can be a huge challenge.

But the Bible provides guide and example, reassurance, strength and love for every situation in life, good or bad. The prayer at the end of Philippians is an example of this.

Philippians 4: 4 - 7 (NIV)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Whatever our situation we can bring our rejoicing or our anxiety to God in prayer and know the peace of God and the love of Christ beside us in that situation. As for our CAP clients, facing adversity and facing truths that we may have kept from ourselves can be hard, but in God we have someone who we can tell anything, who knows the secrets of our hearts and whose love is unconditional and whose peace transcends all understanding.

Philippians 4: 8 - 9 (NIV)

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

However dark a situation may feel, even when we feel abandoned and left to struggle alone, we have a family who is always with us, supporting and upholding us. If we can let the peace of God into our lives, if we can let the support of those who can help into our lives, we can know a place of peace to be able to reflect on where we are, to see the bad and to see the good as well and be able to move forwards in Love.

Philippians 4: 10 - 13 (NIV)

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Allowing God completely into our lives, letting Jesus guide our feet, enables us to be content in whatever situation we find ourselves in, because He both rejoices with us and suffers for us. This is a hard thing to do, but even if we can realise that we need His help and be strong enough to ask for it, we can know the empowering strength of His Love and the joy of His presence even in the hardest times.

Prayer

Please pray for all our Ely and District CAP clients who are facing the truth of their situation and having to make difficult decisions for the future. Pray that they would know the support and care of the debt coaches and visit team and through them come to know the love and strength of Jesus in their lives.

Please pray for the team as they take a summer break, that this would be an opportunity for rest and refreshment, to be ready and empowered to continue helping others through debt and poverty.

Pray that we would all be able to place our anxieties and fears, as well as our rejoicing and celebration into the loving care of God, to let His love and strength into our lives and be enabled to do His work.