What If One Habit Could Transform Your Finances Forever?

Hey, feeling a bit down about your finances?

Do you find yourself focusing more on what you don't have than what you do?

What if I told you there's a simple five minute habit that can totally shift your perspective?

Stay tuned.

I'm about to share that habit with you on the show today.

In a world where crushing debt keeps you trapped, where living paycheck to paycheck has become your new normal, and where the dream of retirement seems impossibly out of reach, there's hope.

Join financial evangelist Ralph Estepp Jr.

A man who's walked through the fire of financial failure and emerged stronger on the other side.

Welcome to Ask Ralph, the show where real world experience meets biblical truth.

To break the bondage of financial despair, get ready to take control of your money, break free from the financial stress and align your resources with God's purpose for your life.

This is Ask Ralph with Ralph Estepp Jr.

Ask.

Hello and welcome to those of you joining me for the first time.

And welcome back to our faithful listeners.

It's great to be spending another part of your day with you.

I'm Ralph and we're continuing our series the Joy of living below your means.

Our goal is always to help you break that cycle of financial shame and do it with confidence.

Now, yesterday we talked about defining enough and today we're adding another crucial piece to finding that joy.

Well, let's check in.

How you feeling about your situation today?

Maybe you're feeling discouraged.

Perhaps you're looking at bills piling up or your savings aren't where you want them to be, or your income feels stretched thin.

It's easy to get bogged down in the negatives, isn't it?

To focus solely on what's missing, what's not working and what you wish you had.

And this can lead to a complaining spirit, maybe some bitterness or just a general feeling of heaviness and lack.

See that constant focus on the negative, that, that feeling that you're lacking and life is hard financially, that discouragement, that's the single pain point we're talking about today because it drains your energy and it steals your peace.

And here's the thing you need to understand.

Our brains are often wired to notice problems.

It's a survival mechanism.

But spiritually we're called to do something very different.

First, Thessalonians 5:18 tells us, Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Now, this doesn't mean pretending problems don't exist, but it does mean choosing where we put our focus when we Only see the lack we miss.

Recognizing God's ongoing faithfulness and and his provision in countless other ways.

Focusing only on the negative can actually shrink our faith and make our challenges seem even bigger.

So you might be asking, how do we fight back against that specific pain of discouragement and that feeling like we're lacking?

How do we cultivate a more positive, faith filled perspective?

And let me share this with you.

The single incredibly most powerful solution is, is to intentionally practice daily gratitude.

See, it's about consciously shifting your focus from what you don't have to what you do have.

It's actively looking for and acknowledging God's blessings, both big and small, material and non material right now.

And see, practicing gratitude really does a few things.

Number one, it rewires your brain.

It literally trains you to to notice the good, counteracting that negativity bias that we all suffer from at times.

Two, it fosters contentment.

Listen, it's really hard to feel deprived when you're actively counting your blessings.

Three, it builds faith.

Recognizing God's past and present faithfulness gives you confidence for the future.

Four, it changes your attitude.

It replaces complaining with thankfulness, bringing joy and lightness.

And finally, and I don't want you to overlook this one, it is an act of worship.

Psalm 100 tells us to enter his gates with thanksgiving.

Now it seems small, but making gratitude a regular habit can fundamentally change how you view your entire financial situation and your life.

The solution is simple.

Choose gratitude.

And let me say that again.

Choose gratitude.

Okay, so here's your one simple action step for today.

Super achievable.

Sometime today, maybe right now, or even before bedtime tonight, I want you to take just three minutes and I want you to identify three specific things that you are genuinely thankful for.

I want you to say them out loud.

I want you to write them down in a notebook or, or put them in a note on your phone.

You gotta be specific.

Not just for my family, but maybe for something like my spouse's encouraging words this morning.

Not for, for just a house, but a warm dry place to sleep tonight.

And I want you to include non material things too, like sunshine and good health and moments of peace.

And don't forget about God's forgiveness.

So just three specific things today, then do it again tomorrow.

You're probably asking Ralph, why is this tiny action so important?

And here's why.

Because it's a direct antidote to that pain of discouragement and that focusing on lack and see.

It forces you to acknowledge the good that is present and that shifts your emotional and spiritual center.

It reminds you of God's provision and God's presence, and it brings immediate perspective and often, surprisingly, will lift your spirits.

Well, how about we pray together?

Father God, thank you for your unwavering goodness even when we fail to see it.

Lord, forgive us for the times we focus only on what's wrong or what we lack.

Lord, help my friend listening right now to cultivate a genuine heart of gratitude.

And as they take a few moments today to count their blessings, Lord, open their eyes to see your hand at work in their life.

Help them to be specific in their thanks.

May this simple act become a daily habit that draws them closer to you, that fills them with your joy and strengthens their faith no matter what their circumstances are.

And Lord, we just thank you for the gift of gratitude itself and we ask this in Jesus name.

Amen.

All right, I want you to take those few minutes today and start to practice that gratitude.

Name those blessings.

You might just be amazed at how much better you feel.

And I want you to remember this Building Financial Peace and joy is a daily walk and it's made up of simple steps just like this one.

Now be sure to join me back tomorrow.

We're rolling up our sleeves and getting really practical.

If you've often wonder where does all the money actually go, then you don't want to miss it.

We're going to cover action item number four and that's track every dollar for one week.

And if today's episode encouraged you, do me a favor and please share it with someone else who who could use that encouragement and you'll find resources and links in the show notes and I encourage you to join our community@askralph.com so until tomorrow, keep looking for those blessings and continue giving thanks.

Stay financially savvy and may God continue to bless you.

Have a great day.

Thank you for joining us on the Askral show, and with a simple click to subscribe, we'll invite you back to our next episode.

And remember, financial issues don't have to be complicated.

Just Ask Ralph the information contained in this episode of Ask Ralph is based on data available as of the date of its release.

Sagio Accounting plus and AskRalph Media, Inc.

Is under no obligation to update this content if changes occur.

Applying this information to your specific situation requires careful consideration of all facts and circumstances, and any information provided is not to be considered as financial, tax, or legal advice.

Please consult your tax advisor or attorney before acting on any material covered.