I’m Just a Guy: Wrestling With MoneySample

The Pride of Life

Mr. Budget Says No

Oh, how I used to loathe those words.
There was a time when my spending had spiraled completely out of control. From the outside, everything looked great—we had nice vehicles, stylish clothes, and lived in a beautiful neighborhood. But every month, a nagging weight would settle in as I reviewed the numbers and realized: we were always in the red.

I didn’t sound the alarm.
I didn’t want to burden my wife.
I stayed silent.

Occasionally, I’d suggest skipping a purchase, but the underlying belief was this: if my family wanted it, it was my job to provide it—no matter the cost. The pressure I put on myself as a provider was relentless... and unsustainable.

But the real culprit wasn’t money.
It was pride.

For too long, I let my pride keep me from taking corrective action. I’d rationalize our situation, convincing myself it was temporary or justified. Then I heard a line that stuck with me:

“When you start to rationalize, you’re often just telling yourself rational lies.”

Ouch. That hit hard—and it was true. Something had to change. The only question was: how long was I going to let it fester before I did something about it?

The turning point came when I opened God’s Word. Proverbs 16 reminded me, “Pride goes before destruction.” No man wakes up and says, “Today, I’m going to wreck my finances.” But the small, repeated decisions we make every day either lead us toward peace—or destruction.

Swallowing my pride, I sat down with my wife and told her the truth. That was terrifying. As a man, admitting weakness to the one person I most wanted to protect felt like exposing a massive kink in my armor. But she responded with grace. She said, “I’m all in—whatever God is calling us to do.”

That conversation changed everything.

We sold vehicles. We cut up credit cards. Mr. Budget moved in—and while I still joke about hating him, I know he was the accountability partner I desperately needed.

The biggest breakthrough? It wasn’t just in the numbers—it was in my heart. When I finally surrendered my finances to God and asked for His wisdom, everything shifted. And that didn’t happen because I figured it all out—it happened because I got out of the way.

At the core of the matter, what God showed me wasn’t a bailout or a quick fix—it was courage. Courage to finally speak the truth. Courage to confront my pride. Courage to let someone in. And behind that courage was His steady hand, reminding me I didn’t have to carry this weight alone.

Maybe you’re tired of pretending you’re fine. Maybe the pressure is crushing you.

If that’s you, take it to God.

The enemy wants you isolated, drowning in shame, believing you have to fix this on your own. That’s not freedom—that’s bondage. But the moment you invite God into your financial life, the chains begin to loosen.

It might require radical adjustments. It might not be easy.
But handling finances His way leads to a peace the world simply can’t offer.

So take that first step of obedience.
Tell the truth.
Ask for help.
And let God show you what real financial freedom feels like.

Reflection Questions:

1. Where is pride affecting your financial decisions right now?
2. What “rational lies” are you telling yourself financially?