You Made my Life Large With Strength

For many of our Ely and District CAP clients getting into debt is just a part of a downward spiral. Imagine that having to give up work due to stress and poor mental health puts pressure on already stretched finances, increasing that stress. Then it becomes a struggle to pay the bills and these begin to spiral with late payments starting to roll over and less income to pay back the overdue payments. You may try to pay off some, to prioritse which seem more important, but another spirals deeper without your realising, or you rely on credit to make payments but this just moves the increasing debt around. You are relying on benefits and struggling to provide for your children and get to a stage where you have to stop paying the bills to be able to afford food for the family, all of this further impacting stress, mental and physical health.

You no longer open the bills and just shove them out of sight into a cupboard. You can't afford petrol so hardly go out yourself, only to get the kids to their school and activities. You are functioning on low power and lack the strength to continue the fight to keep on top of things. Reaching out to CAP at this point is a huge step, recognising that you can't cope, you can't support yourself or your family, that with help, the release of the burden of debt can help with the other issues.

The CAP team bring hope into their homes with the journey out of debt, the support team at head office providing a tailored solution for each client to remove the burden of debt and help put in place a budget to continue afterwards in a more stable financial position. The local CAP team, the Ely and District CAP debt coaches and visit team, facilitate this process and also bring personal support and encouragement for the journey, connect back into community through church or point to services that could help with other issues such as addiction or bereavement. And more then this, they bring the love and strength of God into their lives.

When the debt free call comes from the support team, many clients talk of a burden lifted, a new beginning, feeling a new person, having strength and support to move forward despite continuing challenges.

Psalm 138: 1 - 6 (MSG)

1-3 Thank you! Everything in me says “Thank you!”

Angels listen as I sing my thanks.

I kneel in worship facing your holy temple

and say it again: “Thank you!”

Thank you for your love,

thank you for your faithfulness;

Most holy is your name,

most holy is your Word.

The moment I called out, you stepped in;

you made my life large with strength.

4-6 When they hear what you have to say, God,

all earth’s kings will say “Thank you.”

They’ll sing of what you’ve done:

“How great the glory of God!”

And here’s why: God, high above, sees far below;

no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (The MSG)

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

Prayer

Please pray for all those just beginning their CAP journey, that they would know that help is here. Pray for those waiting for their debt solutions and the decisions that they may face, that they would know they are supported throughout this process. Pray for those who are debt free, that the joy and strength that this can bring will continue with them into a more stable future, not just in finances but knowing the love and support of community and of God in their lives.

Pray for our debt coaches and visit team, for the patience, love and support they bring into the homes of our clients and for all the wider services and community links that come together to provide a holistic support for the whole of life's journey.

Pray for those who are at the bottom of the spiral and can't see a way out, that they would hear of the help that CAP can bring, and of the One who is working, deeply and gently within us.