Why do people who do wrong seem to prosper while I struggle?

It’s easy for us to waver and doubt when we confront the unfairness of life. In Psalm 73, the psalmist describes how this almost brought him to ruin. I’ll let him describe his dilemma in his own words,

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked (Psalm 73:1–3).

The psalmist’s answer is central to how we respond to the unfairness of life.

It’s easy to understand the dilemma that the psalmist was facing, because we ourselves have faced it many times. Why is it that the arrogant and the selfish seem to win? Why is it that those who seem to have no respect for others or for God prosper, while you struggle so much? It is one thing to acknowledge that God is good, but is he good to you when your whole world seems to be crumbling around you? It’s so easy for your feet to slip. It’s so easy to give up!

So, what is it that kept the psalmist on the right path? His answer is central to how we respond to the unfairness of life. This is what he says,

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you (Psalm 73:25).

What the psalmist says is that even though he can’t understand, God is all he has. If he lets go of God, where will he end up?

The challenges of life throw us back into the arms of God, calling us to trust him more deeply. 

God invites us to challenge and to question, because he knows that is how we grow. Unfortunately, the reality is that there are many people who question God and end up abandoning him altogether. The sense of unfairness they see around them is way too big, and the disconnect between the message of Jesus and how they see his followers live is just too great.

Psalm 73 shows us that the great questions of today are fundamentally the same questions that people faced millenia ago. These are the questions that we will all face in our lives, sometimes constantly, or in moments of crisis.

The Psalmist’s answer is still relevant today, even after thousands of years. His answer doesn’t involve the presentation of a rational or logical argument to explain the dilemma of the unfairness of life. Ultimately, as the book of Job illustrates, there is no such easy answer that we can understand this side of eternity. Instead, the challenges of life throw us back into the arms of God, calling us to trust him more deeply. 

Is God enough for you?

Don’t be surprised if there are people who do wrong and have a lot more money than you do, while you might even be poor and destitute. Don’t be surprised if the ungodly have plenty of good things to eat, while you may be limited in what you can feed your children. Don’t be surprised if the ungodly have fancy clothes and fancy cars and luxurious houses, while you don’t. None of these things are what God has promised to his children here on this earth. This is a reality that will be constantly thrown in your face by the forces of evil, with the purpose of making you doubt and abandon your faith.

This psalm asks us some very challenging questions. The ultimate question it asks you is, “Is God enough for you?” If you were to lose everything you have in this world, would you still count God as your friend? Would you still be faithful to him? If you think about it, this is really the question that the book of Job poses as well.

Too many people today follow Jesus for the blessings, in the same way that the crowds followed him for the miraculous bread and the fish. What about you? Do you follow God for his sake alone? Is God enough for you?

Article supplied with thanks to Dr Eliezer Gonzalez.

About the Author: Dr Eli Gonzalez is the Senior Pastor of Good News Unlimited and the presenter of the Unlimited radio spots, and The Big Question. Sign up to his free online course called Becoming a Follower of Jesus to learn about Jesus and His message.

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Three Common Habits that Lead to Self-Sabotage.

Most of us (and I include myself here) are instinctive blamers. When something goes wrong, it’s obvious whose fault it is. It’s theirs, and if it wasn’t for them, life would be so much better. The trouble is that every now and then we realise that that simply isn’t true. It is alleged that when asked the question “What’s wrong with the world?” the great G.K.Chesterton replied “I am”. You’ve completely missed the point if that makes you think we should blame Chesterton for everything! His counsel is wise. When looking for the cause of some wrong, at some point our eyes should turn inward, and we should ask the curious question, “In what way am I the mountain? In what way is my response the problem?” This becomes all the more pertinent when we ask why we don’t reach the dreams we aspire towards. We can usually rattle off a list of insurmountable obstacles. But what if the chief obstacle is your response, and you are engaging in the old rite of self-sabotage?

Longer term readers of this blog will know that I advocate that when we face a difficult scenario we run through a series of questions:

What is mine to carry? It’s true, not everything about this issue is likely to be my fault or my responsibility, but which parts are?

What is yours to carry? ‘Yours’ here refers to the other person or people involved in the situation. We don’t need to rescue others or to carry the load alone. It’s about objectively seeing who should carry what.

What is the systems to carry? Often we are in trouble because of poor system design. It’s sometimes not about individuals getting their act together but reshaping dysfunctional systems that were always going to fail.

What is God’s to carry? We ask this because much of life is completely out of our control, and we simply have to leave many things in God’s hands, though this should not be an excuse to stop doing what we should.

But there is a layer to work on beyond these four questions- and it often falls into the category of “what’s mine to carry?” When things persistently go wrong, or fall short of what we hoped for, we should be willing to ask “in what way is this about me and the way I am approaching things? Could it be that my response is the key issue here?”

First it is as well to note that we have an inbuilt tendency to self-sabotage. Paul writes of this in Romans 7:15-20 when he laments that he finds himself doing the things he hates. He cannot understand himself and acknowledges that without God, the chance of real and deep change is negligible. We shouldn’t dismiss Paul as being too gloomy. He has identified a deep truth. We should face our need for change with humility. We are unlikely to be able to do it alone.

It also helps to identify some of the more common forms of self-sabotage. Here are three I have spotted in myself – and I imagine you can add others to the list:

One: The mountain is me when I play the victim card. 

Don’t misunderstand me on this. We all have sad and unfair things happen to us. No – they aren’t divided up in equal measure. Some face dramatically more difficult scenarios than others. For all that, if I think of myself as primarily a victim I dramatically reduce the likelihood that my situation will ever change, because those who act like victims (regardless of if they are or not) tend to stay there. Far better to look reality in the face and to ask what options I have, and if I have used them. In more dramatic cases the only option could be through my inner reality – an inner reality that insists that I am not who you say and think I am, and that in my inner being I am free – even if outwardly I am in chains. But I am pushing this to the extreme and reality is usually a long way from there.

For most of us it’s realising that just because our first, and perhaps second and third choices are not available, does not mean we can’t still engage meaningfully with what is possible. We can shift our focus from what can’t be to what can be, and assume responsibility in this sphere. Perhaps you didn’t have an ideal childhood, or education, or were belittled and ridiculed… No need to pretend that that wasn’t hard and damaging, but what next? Deciding to get up is an intentional choice. It’s refusing to play the victim. And so many positive things happen when we make that life serving choice. We might have to identify an inner script that works against us. 

That’s why it’s self sabotage – that little voice that says, “You aren’t worth it; you can’t do this; you always mess up; as if you could turn it around.” We need to embrace our counter voice. “You say I’m not worth it. Just watch me. And you know what? It’s not your evaluation that I’m going to pay attention to anyway…” Then get up, look at the mountain, and climb each step one at a time. You are not a victim.

Two: The mountain is me when I fail to prioritise. 

This is an easier one to work with, but I’m surprised at how many don’t take it seriously. There are many things in life that matter, but they don’t matter equally. Don’t sweat the small stuff. So you misunderstood something and it was terribly embarrassing. So what? We’ve all been there. Move along! Don’t be so serious about yourself that you lose perspective. Ask if you are spending the bulk of your time and energy on things that actually matter to you. Name your priorities. If you don’t, you are likely to find yourself focusing on secondary matters.

Three: The mountain is me when I continue to build on an unstable foundation. 

You are probably aware of Jesus’ instruction to build our house on the rock, even though sand is initially an easier option (Matt 7:24-27). Building on sand can happen in different ways. I consult with many organisations and have often heard leaders say: “If we could go back to the drawing board we would never build our company this way. But history is what it is and so we carry on as we always have.” And a year later it is even more of a problem, and five years later – well sometimes they aren’t around in five years – for the problems they refused to rectify have now consumed them.

People do this in so many ways. Often we run away from difficult conversations – but they are the conversations that open up a path to the future. Or we learn to live with a problem, rationalising that it is not worth the effort to put it right. What we fail to calculate is the compounding impact over time. It’s worth asking if you keep justifying some things even though you know they are not justifiable. We often come up with the most elaborate excuses to retain the status quo rather than face the temporary discomfort of putting things right.

These are certainly not the only mountains of our own creating, and I imagine you could add many more (and feel free to in the comments). But I wanted to get us thinking and to ask the curious question: If this week I stopped blaming and asked “In what way is my response the problem” what might I start to do differently? Why not take the risk?

Article supplied with thanks to Brian Harris.

About the Author: Brian is a speaker, teacher, leader, writer, author and respected theologian who is founding director of the AVENIR Leadership Institute, fostering leaders who will make a positive impact on the world.

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Why journaling your God conversations can change everything.

How do you maintain an ongoing conversation with God?

Let’s get practical for a moment. Hearing God’s voice is only part of the story. The real key is doing what the Spirit says– and that’s often the hard part.

Partly, it’s because we forget. Our God conversations become a fleeting moment in the day, and soon after, as the distractions and busyness of life crowd in, we’ve lost what the Spirit said.

Humanity has always been this way

I think that’s why God kept telling the prophets: write it down.

God said it to Moses. To Jeremiah. To Isaiah. To Habakkuk… “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.” (Habakkuk 2:2)

Why would God say this?

So that we can run with what God said… so we can actually do it.

Words that don’t return empty

God’s words are sent to have an impact on our lives. They’re full of power and authority as well as God’s character qualities such as love, hope, peace. They’re also full of God’s creativity and the ability to bring themselves to pass.

The prophet Isaiah described it this way: God’s words don’t return empty. Like rain and snow falling from heaven, they water the earth and make it flourish before they go back up. God’s words work the same way – they accomplish what God desires and achieve the purpose for which they were sent. (from Isaiah 55:10-11)

So hearing God isn’t just about having a nice experience with the Holy Spirit. It’s about being transformed from the inside out so that we become more like Jesus and more like ourselves. We need to let the words of God actually do their work in our hearts. And that takes more than a passing thought.

Eat the scroll

I love the imagery God gives the prophet Ezekiel. God tells him to write his words on a scroll…and then “eat them.” (Ezekiel 3:3)

So that’s exactly what Ezekiel did. He ate the scroll, and it tasted sweet as honey in his mouth.

It’s a strange picture, isn’t it? Imagine eating a scroll and trying to digest it. But God’s point is simple: take in the words you’ve been given until they become part of you.

Read them. Think about them. Meditate on them. Chew them over until you’ve fully taken them in. Don’t forget them. Let them change you – and do what they say.

God’s words are powerful. They cut through our sin and selfishness. They quietly, powerfully form God’s purpose in us – but only if we let them stay long enough to work.

Why writing it down matters

This is why it’s so helpful to write your God conversations down.

For some of us, that’s journaling in a book. For others, it’s a note on our phone. If you’re more visually minded, you might draw what God is showing you. However you do it – even if it’s just one word or one thought – don’t lose what God has spoken. Write it down. Draw the vision. Read it back again. Day after day, sit with it, digest it, until it becomes part of who you are.

Article supplied with thanks to God Conversations.

About the Author: Tania Harris is a pastor, speaker, author and the founder of God Conversations.

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‘The Chosen in the Wild’ revealed the surprising impact The Chosen has had on its cast, leading to honest conversations about faith and life.

“The wild does so much of my job for me,” Bear shares.

“It opens people up.”

Compared to the sanitised nature of a studio interview, climbing mountains, crossing rivers and sharing meals around a campfire allows people to slow down and speak more honestly.

“If you don’t rush them and let people kind of talk… before you know, you’re having really beautiful, honest, genuine conversations,” Bear said.

Taking the cast beyond their comfort zones

Across six episodes, cast members including Elizabeth Tabish, Jonathan Roumie, Noah James and The Chosen director Dallas Jenkins are parachuted out of helicopters, taught how to eat wild game and cross ravines while talking about life before and after The Chosen, and its profound impact on their personal lives.

“I just wasn’t prepared for the impact that this show has had on the lives of the people who play the characters,” Bear said.

“Many of them weren’t particularly big faith people before.

“Somehow this journey changed them and got into their hearts.

“There’s been a lot of emotion on The Chosen in the Wild. I wasn’t prepared for that, but I loved it.”

An earthy approach to faith

Longtime fans of Bear Grylls will know his own Christian faith has been a constant influence on his life, becoming an official ambassador for the Alpha Course in 2016 and just last year releasing The Greatest Story Ever Told, a retelling of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.

One of Bear’s goals with The Chosen in the Wild was to show how “earthy” faith can be, and how it exists outside the constraints of traditional church environments.

“It doesn’t have to always be churchy and religious, but it’s there to help you through the battles,” Bear said.

“Christ has been a good compass for me.”

The right time to talk about faith

Bear thinks “it’s the right time” to talk more about his faith, and that fans of The Chosen will appreciate the depth of the new show.

“The audience for The Chosen in the Wild want me to go there a bit more,” Bear said.

“It’s been a privilege to [make the show] and I’m excited for people to watch it.”

Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.

About the Author: Laura Bennett is a media professional, broadcaster and writer from Sydney, Australia.

Feature image: Screenshot of The Chosen in the Wild with Bear Grylls | Official Cover – Amazon Prime

Why two Christians can read the same Bible and disagree

Have you ever wondered how two sincere Christians can read the same Bible and come away with completely different ideas about God? Or listened to two different Christian podcasts that seem to contradict each other in their teaching? Questions like these reveals why spiritual maturity matters and why the Apostle Paul warned believers against being “tossed by every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14). This phrase might sound unusual, but it speaks directly into the challenge of staying grounded in God’s truth.

What Does “Every Wind of Doctrine” Mean?

Pastor Adam Ramsey explained that Paul is describing spiritual immaturity. In Ephesians 4, he speaks through the metaphors of children, waves and powerful winds to illustrate what happens when believers are not grounded in God’s truth.

Imagine a small dinghy caught in the middle of a storm. It has no control over where it goes. The waves push it one way, then another. Or picture a leaf being blown through the air by every gust of wind. That’s the image Paul is painting.

Adam explains that a spiritually immature person can be easily swayed by whatever opinion or cultural trend comes along. Their beliefs shift depending on the latest book they read, podcast they listen to or speaker they hear.

“Paul wants us to come to a place where we’re grounded in our theological convictions,” he shared.

Why Does Paul Compare Spiritual Maturity and Children?

At first glance, Paul’s comparison to children might sound harsh. Especially because didn’t Jesus call His disciples to have childlike faith?

Children are naturally trusting. That’s one of their strengths. But it can also make them vulnerable. They haven’t yet developed the wisdom to evaluate every claim they hear. Paul isn’t criticising their innocence or trust. Rather, he’s highlighting their lack of discernment and spiritual maturity.

In the same way, spiritually immature Christians can become vulnerable to every new idea, trend or teaching they encounter. So, while God calls us to trust Him with childlike faith, He also calls us to grow in wisdom and understanding.

Why Are Christians Vulnerable to False Teaching?

This spiritual maturity Paul describes in Ephesians 4 isn’t just to convict us. It is also to warn against false teachers. Charles Spurgeon captures this idea like this:

“Discernment is not merely the ability to tell the difference between right and wrong, but between right and almost right.”

Right and almost right. That’s a fine line to cross.

In the Garden of Eden, Satan didn’t begin by completely denying God’s Word. He just led Eve to question it. It wasn’t right, but it was almost right.

When we are unable to differentiate the lies, our understanding of the gospel can become poisoned and shallow. Adam used an analogy of a perfectly cooked meal. When even a little bit of poison is added, it becomes dangerous.

Most of us could pick out an idea that directly contradicts Scripture, but when it is watered down, diluted and sandwiched in between truth, can we recognise the difference?

This is why discernment matters. It helps us recognise the difference between what is genuinely true and what is just convincing.

How Do We Remain Spiritually Mature?

Now more than ever we have countless resources and technologies available to help us grow in our faith. This is a wonderful opportunity, but it also requires wisdom. Not every confident voice is a trustworthy voice. Not every viral clip represents sound biblical teaching.

Adam points out that Christians are called to become settled in their convictions about Jesus and the Gospel. To become spiritually mature and not “swayed to and fro by the waves” we have to come back to the Bible. “We only ever know God as much as we know His word,” he shared.

When we study the Scripture and know His Word, we learn to discern and test what we hear against the truth. This is exactly what spiritual maturity is all about.

The Goal Isn’t Knowing Everything

Thankfully, Paul isn’t calling Christians to become theology experts. Adam acknowledges that none of us will ever know everything about God, and what a blessing this is! We have the privilege of spending our entire lives growing in our understanding of Him.

Instead, spiritual maturity means becoming grounded in the person and work of Jesus Christ.  As Adam puts it, “We don’t graduate gospel doctrines, we just mature into them.”

Sometimes we can assume spiritual maturity means moving beyond the basics of the gospel. But Paul teaches the opposite. We can never outgrow the gospel. Instead, we slowly learn how it can transform every area of our life.

Article supplied with thanks to Vision – a non-profit, follower-funded Christian media ministry taking God’s Word to every corner of Australia and beyond through broadcast, online and print media.

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Their purpose and how to use them

When most Christians think about spiritual gifts, the first question they ask is, “What’s my gift?” But what if that’s actually the wrong question? The truth is, the gifts of the Spirit are often misunderstood, and serve a far greater purpose than we realise.

What if the real meaning of these gifts has been hiding in plain sight all along?

Dr David Jeremiah gets to the very core of this idea and explains that every believer has been given a spiritual gift, and that gift was never meant to stay hidden or unused. The question is not whether you are gifted. The question is how you are using what you have already received.

The Gifts Were Never Meant for You

When it comes to the gifts of the Spirit, we tend to ask, “what is my gift? What am I good at? How does this fulfil me?” But Scripture takes us in a different direction.

Dr Jeremiah explains that spiritual gifts are given “to profit all.” They are designed to strengthen others, not elevate ourselves. “When people use their spiritual gifts within the church, they bless us with those gifts.”

In other words, your obedience becomes someone else’s encouragement.

What Happens When You Don’t Use Your Gift of the Spirit?

We often think receiving and using our gifts are an optional extra. An added bonus here and there to please God. But this is not the case. When a gift is left sitting idle, something is missing in the body of Christ.

If your gift is meant to build others up, then not using it leaves a gap where strength, encouragement, or truth should be. Someone misses out on what God intended to give through you.

There is an old saying that Dr Jeremiah quoted: “Use it, don’t abuse it, or you will lose it.” Spiritually speaking, a neglected gift loses its impact. But when it is used faithfully, it becomes a channel for God’s work in other people’s lives.

Why Gifts of the Spirit Don’t Make You “Spiritual”

Dr Jeremiah pointed out an excellent yet daunting truth. “You can be greatly gifted yet still not walking with the Lord.”

The church in Corinth is the clearest example. They were rich in spiritual gifts, yet spiritually immature. Their lives did not match the power they displayed.

That is a warning for all of us. Spiritual gifts are tools, not proof of holiness. They are meant to point beyond us, not draw attention to us.

The “Specialist” Mistake

Some Christians assume that if they don’t have a particular gift, they’re not responsible for that area of ministry. Scripture says otherwise.

James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” While some are specially gifted in certain areas, all believers are called to live out the basics of the Christian life. The gifts amplify obedience; they do not replace it.

As Dr Jeremiah puts it, “Just because you don’t have the gift of evangelism doesn’t mean you can’t share the gospel with somebody you love.”

The Real Goal: Bringing Glory to Jesus

The ultimate purpose of the gifts of the Spirit is not church growth, personal identity, or even helping others, though all of those are part of it. The final goal is the glory of Jesus Christ.

As 1 Peter 4:11 puts it, “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God… so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”

Every gift, whether visible or quiet, points in the same direction. When it is used rightly, it draws attention to Him.

How Do You Discover Your Gift of the Spirit?

If the gifts matter this much, the natural question is: how do you find yours?

Dr Jeremiah outlined a practical path to follow:

• Investigation: Learn what Scripture says about the gifts
• Involvement: Start serving where you are
• Interest: Notice what you are drawn to
• Introspection: Look for where God is using you
• Input: Ask others what they see in you

He shared how “you cannot steer a parked car.” Growth happens when you step out and serve, not when you wait for perfect clarity.

A Life That Gives Back

There is a simple way to understand the gifts of the Spirit:

Your gift is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.

That is the hidden truth many of us miss. So be intentional, step out and see what happens. Spiritual gifts aren’t ultimately about discovering your potential. They’re about participating in God’s mission. As you faithfully serve where He has placed you, He delights in using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things for His glory.

Article supplied with thanks to Vision – a non-profit, follower-funded Christian media ministry taking God’s Word to every corner of Australia and beyond through broadcast, online and print media.

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How can you know you truly belong to Christ and have eternal life?

Chris Jolly spoke with Simon Manchester, assistant minister at All Saints Woollahra, teacher at Cornhill Bible College and host of Hope 103.2’s Christian Growth podcast, about what it means to become a Christian and how believers can know they have eternal life.

Many Christians, especially those new to faith, wonder whether they have truly been saved. Simon said the Bible offers confidence, not uncertainty, to those who trust in Jesus.

“We’re not talking about hope. We’re talking about knowing,” Simon said.

Simon’s journey to faith

Simon became a Christian during his final year of school after attending a Christian camp.

There, he said, two truths came together for the first time: his own need for forgiveness and Jesus’ offer of salvation.

“I learned that I had sinned and fallen short of the glory of God… and I learned that Christ had come into the world to save sinners,” Simon said.

That decision ultimately led him into a lifetime of ministry, teaching and helping others understand the Christian faith. It also inspired his contribution to a new guidebook designed to help new Christians navigate topics such as prayer, the Bible, family life, work and doubt.

A new heart, not a perfect life

During the conversation, Chris raised a common concern among new Christians: what happens when you still struggle with sin, doubt or failure?

Simon said becoming a Christian does not mean instantly becoming perfect.

“You’re new but you’re not perfect,” Simon said.

Instead, Christians receive what the Bible describes as a new heart and a new desire to follow Christ. While believers continue to wrestle with their old nature, they also discover a growing desire to pray, learn from Scripture and stay close to God.

Simon explained that Jesus’ teaching about abiding in the vine is ultimately about remaining close to Him and depending on Him rather than drifting away.

Assurance comes from Christ, not performance

One of Simon’s strongest messages was that assurance should not be based on how well a person thinks they are performing spiritually.

Good days and bad days come and go. Emotions change. Confidence rises and falls.

Instead, Christians are called to look to Christ.

“Forget about your performance. Ask yourself about the performance of Christ,” Simon said.

Rather than looking inward, Simon encouraged listeners to look at God’s promises in Scripture, particularly the promises given through Jesus.

When feelings fluctuate, God’s Word remains unchanged.

Adoption and baptism

To help explain assurance, Simon used the picture of adoption.

Just as an adopted child becomes part of a family through the commitment of loving parents, Christians become part of God’s family through faith in Christ.

Once adopted into God’s family, believers can live with confidence in His love and commitment to them.

The conversation also touched on baptism. Simon explained that baptism is an important public declaration of faith, but it is not what saves someone.

Rather, baptism demonstrates outwardly what God has already done inwardly through faith.

For new Christians, it becomes a visible way of declaring that they now belong to Christ and want to follow Him.

Article supplied with thanks to Hope 103.2.

Chris is the host of Hope Drive, bringing light, uplifting stories and thoughtful conversation to listeners every afternoon. Chris initially studied science before diving into an IT career before following his life-long passion (talking!) and joining the Hope team.

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For many Australians right now, financial pressure is hard to ignore.

Rising interest rates, increasing living costs, and economic uncertainty are weighing heavily on households across the country. If you’ve been feeling the squeeze, you’re certainly not alone.

Finance expert Alex Cook explores these growing challenges. As a former stockbroker, financial planner, and founder of Wealth With Purpose, Alex brings both practical experience and a strong Christian perspective to conversations around money.

His message is clear: God cares about how we handle our finances, and His Word offers wisdom that is both relevant and reliable, even in difficult seasons.

Here are seven biblical money principles to help you manage money wisely and navigate financial pressure with faith and clarity.

1. Start With God’s Wisdom

When financial pressure builds, it’s easy to make decisions quickly or react out of fear. Instead, Alex encourages us to look to the Bible as our guide.

‘There is enormous depth of wisdom in Scripture about how we handle our money.’

With over 2,000 verses addressing wealth, possessions, and stewardship, the Bible reveals that God hasn’t left us without direction.

Instead of rushing ahead or acting impulsively, take a moment to pause and ask God for wisdom. He sees beyond the present moment and can guide you with clarity and peace.

2. Debt Is a Warning Sign, Not Just a Tool

Debt is part of modern life, especially during the cost-of-living crisis many Australians are facing, but Scripture handles it with care.

Alex points to the biblical principle that ‘the borrower is slave to the lender.’ That doesn’t mean debt is always wrong, but it does highlight the risk it carries.

With interest rate having been raised by the RBA on Tuesday to 4.35%, now may be a good time to reflect honestly on your financial situation and begin taking steps, however small, toward greater financial freedom.

3. Freedom Often Begins with Small Steps

Alex shared the story of a woman who had lived with credit card debt for nearly 25 years.

Over time, she made small but consistent changes. She stopped adding to her debt and worked at paying it down. Eventually, she walked into the bank and closed her accounts, free from a burden she had carried for decades.

As she left, she sensed God reminding her that she was no longer bound by it.

Stories like this remind us that transformation doesn’t usually happen all at once, but it does happen.

4. Build Margin Before You Need It

You may not know what’s around the corner, and financial pressure can often come without warning.

That’s why Alex encouraged listeners to build some financial margin wherever possible. Even a small amount set aside can make a significant difference when unexpected expenses arise.

Starting somewhere can reduce stress and help you avoid relying on credit during difficult moments.

5. Credit Cards Can Quietly Trap You

Credit cards offer convenience, but they can also create distance between spending and reality.

It’s easy to spend more when the impact isn’t felt immediately. Over time, those small decisions can build into something much harder to manage.

If you can, simplify your approach. Using your own money rather than relying on credit can help you stay grounded and make more intentional choices.

6. Shift Your Mindset to Stewardship

Developing a stewardship mindset helps us manage our finances with wisdom and purpose. When we begin to understand that everything we have belongs to God, our perspective changes.

‘We’ve got to remind ourselves: this is not ours,’ Alex says. ‘It’s actually God’s money.’

We are not owners but stewards, entrusted with what He has given us.

‘When we adopt that mindset, it becomes quite different in how we handle our money.’

Instead of asking what we want, we begin to ask how God would have us use what we’ve been given.

That simple change often brings both direction and peace.

7. God Can Make a Way, Even Now

No matter what financial situation you may be facing, no situation is beyond God’s reach.

During the conversation, one woman’s story stood out. Raising children on her own while carrying significant debt, she faced overwhelming pressure. Yet over time, she saw God provide in unexpected ways. Debts were reduced, needs were met, and she eventually experienced financial freedom.

While we take practical steps, God is still at work behind the scenes. He can open doors, change circumstances, and provide in ways we might not expect.

Finding Peace in the Pressure

Financial stress can touch every area of life. It can affect your thoughts, your relationships, and your sense of security.

But we are not left to face it alone.

God offers wisdom when we feel unsure.
He offers peace when we feel overwhelmed.
And He offers hope when the future feels uncertain.

When we root ourselves in biblical money principles, we begin to learn how to manage our money wisely, handle financial pressure, and trust God in every season.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, start with one step. Seek His wisdom. Make one faithful decision. And trust that even in this season, God is still your provider.

Article supplied with thanks to Vision – a non-profit, follower-funded Christian media ministry taking God’s Word to every corner of Australia and beyond through broadcast, online and print media.

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A new study finds young adults are increasingly interested in faith, but with little change in core beliefs.

A new report from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University found that young people in Amercia aged 18 to 23 are moving in two spiritual directions at once, showing increased interest in faith while also drifting away from key beliefs.

On one hand, there are clear signs of growth.

More young adults are calling themselves Christian, Bible reading has increased, and a growing number say they are committed to practising their faith.

On the other hand, deeper beliefs remain largely unchanged. The study found that just 1% of this generation holds a fully developed biblical worldview.

Activity is rising, but foundations are not

The data highlights a gap between behaviour and belief. Increases in church involvement and Bible reading suggest openness and curiosity. Yet when it comes to core questions about truth, God and morality, most views have stayed the same.

Researcher George Barna described the findings as only “a lukewarm affirmation of revival”, noting that spiritual activity alone does not necessarily lead to lasting change. That distinction matters.

As the report explains, behaviour can spark interest, but without understanding, it often doesn’t take root over time.

The same pattern is emerging in Australia

While the study focuses on the United States, recent Australian research suggests a very similar trend among young people here.

The 2025 McCrindle report An Undercurrent of Faith, based on national census data and a survey of more than 3,000 Australians, found that the country’s relationship with Christianity is increasingly complex.

On one hand, many young Australians are moving away from organised religion. Between 2016 and 2021, more than one in three young people aged 15 to 24 shifted from Christianity to “no religion”.

At the same time, the report highlights a strong sense of openness and searching.

Young Australians are described as being on a “quest for meaning”, with more than half open to spiritual conversations and exploring belief for themselves.

Fewer, but more committed

Perhaps the most striking similarity is what happens among those who do engage with faith.

Even as overall identification declines, young Australians who are Christian tend to be more active than older believers.

Around 68% of Gen Z Christians attend church at least monthly, significantly higher than older generations.

This reflects a broader shift away from cultural or inherited religion, toward something more personal and intentional.

Open, but still searching

Taken together, the findings from both the US and Australia point to a generation that is not disengaged, but still exploring.

Young people today are less likely to inherit faith by default, but more likely to question, examine and search for meaning on their own terms.

That creates both a challenge and an opportunity.

Interest is there. Curiosity is real. But without deeper understanding, that interest may not translate into long-term change.

This article was researched and prepared by Hope 103.2 staff writers, with assistance from AI in its presentation. Final review and fact-checking was undertaken by our Digital Team prior to publication.

Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.

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Danniebelle shares a heartfelt glimpse into holding onto a lifelong dream

It’s a dream she’s carried since she was a little girl.

Not a vague idea, but a clear picture – a family, built on love, partnership, and the kind of care she watched her own parents model so beautifully. It’s still there, still strong, unchanged in its essence.

Only now, it sits alongside another reality… It hasn’t happened yet.

“My biggest dream from when I was a little kid was that I would be a mum… and it still is.”

There’s something disorienting about dreams without timelines. We get used to milestones in life – school, work, relationships – often mapped out in neat succession. But some of the deepest desires don’t come with a calendar date. They unfold in their own time, or sometimes, feel like they’re taking longer than expected.

Uncertainty can feel like a mystery

For Danniebelle, that uncertainty can feel like a mystery she’s learning to live with.

Not solve. Not rush. Just live with.

“I don’t know the date, I don’t know the time… it all feels like a bit of a mystery.”

There are moments, she admits, where the questions get loud. Nights where she turns it over in her mind, “Why hasn’t this happened for me?” Moments sparked by something as simple as a film or a fleeting love story on screen, highlighting the absence of something she longs for deeply.

And yet, alongside the questioning sits a quiet resolve.

A choice not to get lost in the “what ifs”.

Keep trusting… even while we wait

Instead, she’s learning to place that dream gently into God’s hands; to trust that a desire so deeply rooted isn’t there by accident, or as some kind of cruel tease.

It’s a trust that isn’t always easy.

There are times when God feels silent on the subject. Times when the gap between hope and reality feels wide. Times when comparison sneaks in – when it’s tempting to look at others and think the grass might be greener somewhere else.

But almost as quickly as those thoughts come, they’re challenged.

Because with age has come perspective. A growing awareness that comparison rarely brings peace, and that even the paths that look ideal from the outside can hold their own complexity and pain.

Life, after all, rarely turns out exactly as imagined.

“I’ll immediately go, ‘oh yeah, the grass is greener over there’ but then straight away go, ‘no, I can’t think like that.’”

Danniebelle and Brendan both acknowledged that reality: the relationships they’ve seen break down, the families reshaped by loss or hardship, the unpredictability of life. It’s enough to make anyone pause and wonder what the future might hold.

Even, at times, to question the dream itself.

There are moments when Danniebelle has looked at the state of the world – the chaos, the uncertainty – and quietly wondered what it would mean to bring children into it. It’s not a loss of hope, but a reflection of how deeply she cares about the kind of world future generations will inherit.

And yet, through all of it, one anchor remains. A verse she returns to again and again: “For I know the plans I have for you…” (Jeremiah 29:11).

It’s not a quick fix or a neat answer. But it is a reminder that even when she can’t see the full picture, she’s not forgotten. That her life isn’t defined by what hasn’t happened yet, but by what’s already been given.

And that list, she realises, is full.

Family. Friends. Meaningful work. A community of listeners. A life rich with connection and purpose.

It doesn’t replace the dream but reframes it.

Rather than becoming consumed by what she doesn’t have, she’s choosing to invest in what she does. To pour her love, energy and attention into the people and opportunities already in front of her.

And to trust that the rest will come in the right time. Or in the right way. Or in a way that may look different from what she imagined.

“I don’t want to be distracted by what I don’t have when I have everything right now.”

This was a reminder that so many people can relate to as they are walking similar paths, carrying similar hopes, often quietly.

Dreams that feel delayed.

Questions without answers.

A tension between trust and longing.

And in sharing her story, Danniebelle gave language to that space, not as something to fix, but something to gently hold.

Because sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is keep trusting… even while we wait.

Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.

Feature image: Supplied