September 8
Trapped
by Debt
"Rich people rule over those who are poor. Borrowers are slaves to lenders."
Proverbs 22:7 (NIrV)
Neil stared at the final notice in his hands. His rent was overdue, his electricity bill was threatening disconnection, and his credit card debt was growing like a monster he couldn’t escape. He had never felt so trapped. Sleep was a distant memory, replaced by a gnawing fear in his stomach.
Scrolling through his phone, he saw an ad pop up: "Fast Cash Loans—No Credit Check! Instant Approval!"
His heart pounded. This could be the answer. He clicked the link.
The office was tucked away in a run-down strip mall. A man in a cheap suit greeted him with a grin that didn’t reach his eyes. "You need money, right?"
Neil nodded.
"No problem. You’ll get it today. Just sign here."
The paperwork was thick, but Neil barely skimmed it. He only focused on the promise of fast cash. He walked out with a wad of bills in his pocket, relief washing over him.
But the relief didn’t last.
The first payment hit like a brick. The interest was staggering. Within a month, he had to take another loan just to cover the first one. The phone calls started—aggressive voices demanding money. Then came the threats.
Neil felt like he was suffocating.
One night, he ran into Marco outside the pub. "Man, you look rough," Marco said.
Neil let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah, life’s great."
Marco wasn’t convinced. "What’s going on?"
Neil hesitated, but something in Marco’s eyes made him spill the truth. The debt. The sleepless nights. The fear of losing everything.
Marco listened, then said, "Look, I won’t pretend to have all the answers, but I know someone who helps people get out of this stuff—financial counseling, real strategies to fix it. He’s from my church."
Neil scoffed. "Church, huh?"
Marco nodded. "Hey, what have you got to lose?"
Neil thought about it all night. The next morning, he called. The counselor didn’t have a magic fix, but he had wisdom. A plan. A way forward.
It would take time, discipline, and sacrifice. But for the first time in a long time, Neil felt hope.
Prayer:
Father,
I’ve made choices out of fear, not wisdom.
I’ve tried to fix things my way, and now I see how much I need You.
Help me to trust You in my struggles, to seek guidance, and to be patient in finding solutions.
Thank You for reminding me that no situation is beyond Your help.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
