225 – That Time When Your Debit Card is Declined

#faithbites #faithjourney declined

Not sure how many of you had this experience before. You are shopping, have everything ready, and begin your check out. When you ring up everything and slide your debit card (or credit card), it’s declined. In my case, most the groceries were paid for but there was some remaining. What happens then? First, you worry about why you don’t have the money. Could it be the bank? Maybe something cleared you didn’t know. Maybe you just miscounted. Then you start to think: what could I put back? Next fear and embarrassment sets in. What are other people thinking? Do they know I don’t have the money to pay for this stuff?

This happened to me today doing a light grocery shop. I had budgeted but didn’t have my cash. Knowing that we just got paid so there was plenty of money, I didn’t know what happened.  Well, it seems the check hadn’t cleared the bank yet. I also don’t have credit cards. Luckily, I was able to transfer a few dollars from savings to checking on my phone, and all was good. During those few minutes though, I was panicking. I felt like a failure but then because of good planning, I solved the problem and was good to go.

Not everyone has the ability to fix this by dipping into savings. The one thing we all can fix though is knowing that our tomorrow is secure through believe. Because Jesus saves. (Yes, I know, bad pun with money).

Scripture on Not Being Declined

• They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” – Acts 4:12
• For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.- Titus 2:11-12
• For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. – Luke 19:10

Reflection

We don’t have to worry about if we will be saved. We also don’t need to worry about being declined because we don’t have enough chips to cash in for our good deeds. As it says in the Acts and Luke passages, we are saved through belief and Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. Through the water and the blood, we are saved. That’s a pretty awesome outlook for the future.

God wants us to believe. He gives us salvation through the Lord. No matter how hard life on earth is, we are saved in the next life.

I know first hand how humiliating it is to have your card declined. To know that people are watching and to think what you need to put back. Through Christ, we don’t have to put back out love or worship. We are saved, never declined.

Charge

Think about those times when you have been declined in life. What happened and how did you feel? Have you thought about never being declined for salvation? Believe in the Lord and your salvation is guaranteed.

Lord, help me to always believe in you. Help me to know that I will be accepted and never declined.