Journey Beyond the Silver Lining

Tag: bible

  • Your Guide to Financial Freedom Through Faith

    Your Guide to Financial Freedom Through Faith

    There was a season in my life when debt consumed me. Not just financially, but emotionally and spiritually. Much of it had accumulated during my marriage which resulted in heavy consequences. After my divorce, I faced the burden alone. I was scared, ashamed, and overwhelmed. But when I surrendered it all to God, He met me with grace, wisdom, and peace. It wasn’t an easy journey, but it was worth the sacrifice that came with healing.

    Debt can feel like a giant, looming, loud, and impossible to ignore. But we serve a God who still moves mountains. Whether you’re just starting your journey or need a reset, this faith- based approach is about progress, not perfection. Let’s invite God into the process and walk into peace, one step at a time.

    By God’s grace, I went from drowning in debt to walking in peace and purpose. Below is a straightforward roadmap. It shows how I tackled this setback. It details how I came to a place of peace along the way.

    1. Start with Prayer and Acknowledge the Situation.

    Before anything else, pause, and pray. Ask God to reveal what needs to be addressed. Not just financially, but spiritually and emotionally.


    ”If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” ~James 1:5

    Prayer:

    ”Lord, I lay my finances at your feet. Show me what needs to change. Give me wisdom, grace, and strength for this journey.”

    2. Create Clear Pictures of Your Goals


    Clarity brings peace. Sit down with your bills, statements and income sources and write down everything. I suggest looking at bank statements and credit card statements from the past year. You don’t need any type of special program to get started. I began with a pencil and notebook.

    “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost.” ~ Luke 14:28

    3. Start with Faith Filled Goals

    Debt freedom needs a vision. Ask: what would financial peace look like in six months? What do I want to be free from? What legacy do I want to leave? Do I still want to be struggling with debt in 10 years?

    “Write down this vision; clearly inscribe it on tablets so one may easily read it.”Habakkuk~2:2

    4. Create a Budget that Aligns with God’s Vision

    A budget isn’t about restriction. It’s about freedom through intentional living. Start with:

    Basic needs (housing, food, and transportation)

    Debt minimums (credit cards, auto loans, and medical bills)

    Emergency savings (A set amount you will always have available in your savings account for unexpected expenses.)
    Giving (as God leads)

    Wants (within boundaries)

    “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”~ Proverbs 21:5

    I know how heavy this journey can feel, but I promise you, there is a silver lining. Walking through debt isn’t just about paying off balances. It’s about discovering who you are when you surrender everything to God. It’s in this process that He builds strength, wisdom, and a deeper dependence on Him. What feels like a burden today can become a testimony tomorrow. Keep going, keep trusting. God is not just bringing you out of debt. He’s leading you into peace, purpose, and freedom.






  • Finding Strength in Life’s Storms

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    We will all face storms. Moments when the wind howls, the sky darkens, and everything we thought was secure, starts to shake. The loss of a loved one. A relationship falling apart. Financial uncertainty. A diagnosis that changes everything. These moments feel like life is being turned upside down, and we’re left wondering if we will ever feel whole again. But here’s the truth. Storms don’t last forever, and we are never meant to weather them alone.

    God is still in control. When the disciples were caught in a terrifying storm at sea, Jesus was asleep in the boat (Mark 4:35-41). They panicked. They questioned whether He even cared. And then, with a single command, Jesus calmed the wind and waves.

    Your storm may seem overwhelming, but God is not unaware. He hasn’t abandoned you. Even when He seems silent, He’s still in control, and at any moment, He can speak peace into your situation.
    Storms have a way of stripping away what’s superficial. They reveal our fears, our doubts, and our deepest desires. But they also reveal our faith. What we truly believe about God often surfaces when life doesn’t go the way we planned. Instead of running from the storm, ask “ God, what are you trying to show me in this?” Let the storm deepen your roots in Him, not pull you away. Allow yourself to feel the loss and to feel the discomfort. It’s very possible that you may feel like you’re breaking, but in God’s hands, you’re being rebuilt. Piece by piece He’s restoring your heart, renewing your faith, and preparing you for what’s next. I know this from my own storms.

    Let others hold up your arms. We weren’t meant to go through life’s hardest moments alone. Let people in. Reach out to a trusted friend. Call your pastor. Join a prayer group. You don’t have to be strong all of the time. Let others be strength to you. I am grateful for the women that walked side-by-side through the hardest times of my life.

    No matter what storm you’re facing right now, there is hope, there is healing, and there is purpose even in the pain. God uses the wind and the waves, to shape us, to draw us closer, and to prepare us for the things He’s doing. Your storm is not the end of your story. It’s the beginning of a deeper faith, a stronger you, and a life anchored in God’s unshakable love. Finding my purpose came from my pain. Encouraging women to believe they will come out more resilient and to overcome the challenges of their life. Hold on my friend. God is in the boat with you. The storm may be long, but who you become afterwards is a beautiful gift to yourself if you allow it.

  • From Burden to Blessing: Finding Peace in a Debt-Free Life.

    From Burden to Blessing: Finding Peace in a Debt-Free Life.

    By Lisa Lindsey Shay/Journey Beyond the Silver Lining.

    ”The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” ~Proverbs 22:7 (NIV)

    Debt isn’t just a financial burden, it can be a spiritual stronghold. For many women, especially those in seasons of transition or hardship, money can become a source of constant anxiety, guilt, and even shame. I know this firsthand because I’ve been met with it more than once.

    Our relationship with money started with our family. We unintentionally saw the value our parents placed on it without even realizing it. My mother was a homemaker and my father was in business for himself for most of his life. I got my first job the summer leading into high school. I worked consistently throughout those four years saving every paycheck to purchase my first car. Seeking my father’s love and approval I proudly displayed the balance on my bank book. My parents were surprised as my balance read $5000. It wasn’t too long after that my dad was asking for a loan. I was about to graduate from high school and loaning my dad money raised questions that I not dare ask. Why would my father need to borrow money from his youngest child? This question would never get answered, but fast forward 20 years and those same questions resurfaced as I saw him struggling once again.

    God doesn’t want us to live in bondage to anything. Not fear, not the past, and certainly not debt. There is peace available when we surrender our finances to God and begin to walk in wisdom, trust, and obedience.

    Over the next 40 years I would stumble, have financial setbacks and learn the very difficult lessons about how I value money and the people around me. I’ve had to set incredibly difficult boundaries with loved ones for which I’m grateful for the lessons during my debt free journey.

    Peace doesn’t come from a higher income or a lucky break. It comes from a heart fully surrendered to God. When we shift our focus from our lack to His abundance, we begin to see things differently. Debt is a reality for many of us, but it doesn’t define us. God is our source, not our job or bank account.

    It’s certainly takes grit and patience to get there, but I’m glad I put in the sacrifice to achieve this milestone. For some it may take a few months and others a few years. The decision is worth it.

    “If any of you lack wisdom, you should ask God… and it will be given to you.” ~James 1:5

    Start with prayer and acknowledge the situation honestly. Create a clear picture of your finances. Set God honoring goals. Create a simple budget. Start with paying off small debt first. Practice contentment and stewardship. Celebrate progress and stay rooted in God’s promises.