Poor Credit Score Confusing You?

Posted on November 19 2009

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve counseled clients where the driving force behind their stress is their credit score. People forget that a credit score is in place to determine the risk in borrowing to an individual. People forget that just because they experienced difficulties in the past does not mean they are terrible people today. It simply means they experienced difficulty in the past. That’s it.

Remember a lending institution’s job is to minimize the risk when borrowing to someone. When someone applies for credit, it is rare that someone isn’t judged on their credit rating and credit worthiness.

Although your credit score can tell a little about you and your payment history, it certainly should not define you. No matter your circumstances, remember: What Jesus did for you over 2,000 years ago should define who you are.

Someone that has seen their credit score plummet for any reason may know how easy it can be to take it personally. It’s not uncommon that through this process of denial that it wears on one’s personal self-worth even to the degree that they question God’s involvement or lack thereof. If you have found yourself struggling with self-worth issues and desire to know if God even knows you and your situation, please find a Bible and read Psalms 139. You are not alone.

God has given many promises to people that have been at their wits’ end. In Jeremiah 29, Jeremiah the prophet writes a letter to the exiles that feel God has forsaken them. He writes, “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord.” –New American Standard Version

Whatever financial mistakes or challenges have taken place in your past should not determine what defines you. If you’ve failed with your finances, God can forgive. God can restore. Our God is bigger than any lending institution. Do not let this world tell you you’re worthless. Don’t allow a man-made system influence the relationship with those around you. God desires you to be released from worldly bondage. Man can create systems to score you; however, God has already found you to be worthy.

Financial Term of the Month:

Flexible Spending Account

Definition: A benefit offered to an employee by an employer which allows a fixed amount of pre-tax wages to be set aside for qualified expenses. Qualified expenses may include child care or uncovered medical expenses. The amount set aside must be determined in advance and employees lose any unused dollars in the account at year-end.

Check with your employer to see if they offer a flexible spending account and take advantage of the benefits.