
Faith in the Midst of Financial Struggles
By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar
Ever stop to wonder why, even with all your talent, your big heart for the Creator, and your desire to uplift others, you’re still grappling to make ends meet? Why does it feel like those handpicked by the Creator, the ones meant to shine, often seem to face the toughest struggles? Meanwhile, others seem to float through life effortlessly, thriving without breaking a sweat. Is this some sort of punishment, or is there something deeper something we can’t quite grasp in the moment?
Let’s be real: it’s hard to see purpose in the middle of financial strain. Bills pile up, opportunities feel like distant dreams, and it’s easy to feel overlooked, even by the Creator. But here’s the thing lack isn’t always what it seems. It’s not a weapon meant to break you. More often, it’s a tool, carefully placed in the Creator’s hands, shaping you for something bigger. It’s a process, messy and uncomfortable, but ultimately transformative.
Think about it: we live in a world that idolizes wealth. We’re told that having money means security, power, and success. But the Creator doesn’t operate on those terms. He’s not interested in making us comfortable; He’s focused on making us grow. Look back to the Israelites wandering in the wilderness they weren’t kept afloat by riches or possessions. No, they survived on manna, daily proof that the Creator provides just enough at the right time. That same truth echoes today: if we have the Creator, we already have everything we need.
And let’s talk about trust. Financial hardship has this way of pulling the rug out from under us, leaving us clinging to what we know or what we think we know. The world tells us to chase after money like it’s the end-all, be-all. But the Creator uses these tough times to remind us of a deeper truth: money isn’t the answer. It’s not what sustains us. He is. These struggles force us to let go of the illusion that wealth is our safety net and push us to lean fully into Him.
But here’s the kicker hardship doesn’t just test our faith; it tests our motives. Money has this funny way of revealing what’s really in our hearts. Are we serving the Creator, or are we chasing the shiny things this world offers? Are we pursuing His purpose for us, or are we caught up in self-glory? The Creator lets us face lack to strip away the pride, the ego, and the greed that can creep in when we’re too comfortable. He’s not just testing us He’s refining us, shaping us into people who can handle blessings without being consumed by them.
When I think about financial struggles, my mind always drifts back to my mother, Marva, and my grandmother, Celestine. We didn’t have much, but I never once heard them complain. Not once. Instead, I’d find them in prayer, their faces glowing with an unshakable peace that I didn’t fully understand as a child. They showed me that joy isn’t tied to how much or how little you have. It comes from faith, pure and simple. Even now, as I face my own storms, their example sticks with me. It’s a reminder that true wealth is measured in trust, not dollars.
I get it. When you’re in the thick of it when the fridge is empty, the rent’s overdue, and the stress feels like it’s crushing you it’s hard to hold on to faith. But let me tell you this: the Creator hasn’t abandoned you. He’s walking through it with you, using every challenge to build something in you that can’t be shaken. These tough seasons aren’t meant to break you; they’re preparing you for something bigger, something better.
So, what do you do in the meantime? Pray. Cry out to the Creator. Let yourself feel the weight of it, but don’t let it pull you under. Trust that the same hands that hold the universe are holding you, even now. And know this: being broke doesn’t define you. It’s just a chapter, not the whole story.
As I near the end of this book of reflections, I feel like I’ve reached a turning point. I’ve poured my heart into these words, hoping they’ve touched yours hoping they’ve given you a glimpse of something greater. I’ve tackled struggles, joys, questions, and truths, doing what I was called to do. I pray these reflections live on, offering comfort and clarity to future generations. Is this the end? I’m not sure. But I do know this chapter is coming to a close.
With all my love and faith,
Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar

Dear Kateb,
My husband and I just finished reading this reflection, and we are both completely overwhelmed by the depth and truth in your words. It feels like you’ve taken the very thoughts and emotions we’ve been struggling to articulate and put them into a language that pierces straight to the soul.
When you spoke about your mother, Marva, and grandmother, Celestine, I couldn’t help but think of the strong women in my own life who taught me the meaning of resilience and faith. Like you, I didn’t understand their peace as a child, but now, as I face my own struggles, their quiet strength makes so much sense.
Your reminder that being broke is just a chapter and not…