As we continue to think about "Pothole's On The Marital Highway", let's look at a very difficult and trying problem that faces many couples. Debt is a painful and hurtful dilemma that takes a huge toil on the marriage. In Genesis 29:18 Jacob obligates himself to work for seven years for Rachel. This arrangement eventually turned out to be fourteen long, hard years of his life. I use that thought to say that it is easy for you to obligate yourself for years in advance in order to obtain some- thing you need or think you need. Many times your obligation is important and needful. Very few individuals would ever own a home if they did not go into debt in order to obtain it. The same is true of an automobile. However, many of the things you purchase on credit are either unnecessary or unwise. They only create more problems and saddle you with more debt then you are able to pay. There-fore, you find yourself deeply into debt with little to show for the vast amount you owe. Proverbs 22:7 states that, "The borrower is servant to the lender". Debt is a bondage. It hinders your goals and dreams. It causes you to lose sleep, to work more, and to postpone other important family needs. Debt can create tension in the marriage. It is a huge reason for divorce in America today. Many times debt occurs because a job is lost or you experience a prolonged sickness. However, most debt is the result of bad decisions and poor planning on one's part. If you find yourself deeply in debt, let me suggest some simple things you might do to reduce or eliminate your debt load. (1) Determine To Get Out Of Debt. You will never do anything about the difficulty you are in until you make a simple yet wise decision to get out of debt. (2) Learn How To Live On A Budget. You must live within your income and avoid over spending. Don't purchase useless and needless things on credit. A simple budget will help you track your finances and determine a correct course of action to control your spending. (3) Control Your Credit Cards. Perhaps few things have caused more debt then the readily available and abundant credit card. Instead of being a tool to be used they have become a mast-er to be served. Determine to pay off any and all credit card debt. If possible lower the amount of interest you pay on the card each month. Pay more than just the minimum amount. Perhaps the best and wisest thing you can do is to get rid of all credit cards and pay cash for all your purchases. (4) Seek Credit Counseling. Many times this is the only course of action for those who seem unwilling or unable to control their spending. A credit counselor can often contact your credi-tor and work out a more favorable payment plan that is suitable for you and the company you owe. This is vitally important. Both husband and wife must work to reduce their debt load and they must work together to avoid the temptation to spend more than their income allows. Woe be unto the marriage that fails to con-trol the finances in the home. It is a killer for the peace, security, and the future of the home. Do all that is in your power to become debt free as quickly as possible.
