It is challenging and I have no idea what God's answers are to our financial situation. We are battling stress and faith, swinging between the absolute truth of God's word and His sovereignty and then looking at our circumstances in the eyes of the world.
Our situation has brought me to a place of humility and reliance on God I have never experienced before, and the words "give us this day our daily bread" in the Lord's Prayer has become much more of a reality than ever before.
As we have been forced to look upon God a lot more we have seen Him provide for us as He says He will. We have been incredibly blessed in the months since we moved to have accommodation provided by friends and family. The house sitting opportunities have dramatically reduced our cost of living.
Also, while I waited for my visa to be able to work, my wife was able to pick up some casual work to help pay our expenses and initial costs of establishing ourselves in another country. In addition to this we have continued to receive some money from those who supported us during the ministry we were previously involved in.
So we have not been left on the streets and we haven't gone hungry but as some these sources of money finish and I look for work, now that I am allowed to, we find ourselves regularly disappointed with my work situation, or lack of.
Our response, I must admit, has not always been of faith. It has sometimes been overwhelming and discouraging but other times filled with a peace beyond human understanding and a faith that is based on the word of God, not our circumstances.
One such verse that produces hope and a wry smile is "the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:3-4.
My thoughts, 'well at least if I am going to go through a tough time I can expect a great result in my character and faith. If it's the testing of my faith that is needed to perfect and complete me I will slowly and nervously open my arms to what is ahead of me.'
Matthew 6:25-34 is also a powerful message from Jesus about facing the struggles of life and it's a warming and comforting promise to hear Jesus teaching us not to worry about what we'll eat or wear because as God our Father provides for the birds He will for us also.
I thank the Lord His word is never failing and His promises are relevant in my life today. It remains a testing of my faith to live these words out but the daily time I have with God continues to be my rock and fortress.
All else, only God knows, and it's my desire to live His plans rather than attempt to formulate my own.
Tim Wilson is married with two children who served with YWAM for five years in Brisbane and now serving in mission in Canada.
Tim Wilson's archive of articles may be viwed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/tim-wilson.html