"I'm ashamed to tell my kids how much debt we still have at this age."
How it sounds in your head: They think we're comfortable in retirement. They don't know about the credit cards, the loans, the bills. If they knew the truth, they'd lose respect for me. I'm supposed to be the wise elder and I'm still financially struggling like a young man. The shame of admitting this at 90 is unbearable.
"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
-- 2 Corinthians 12:9Enemy using pride and fear of man to isolate him from help, mixed with religious perfectionism about elder status.
Cultural expectations that elders have 'figured it out' financially makes debt at 90 feel uniquely shameful and disqualifying from respect.
Paul, the great apostle and elder statesman of the faith, openly declared his weaknesses and infirmities, even BOASTING in them, because God's strength showed up most powerfully in his areas of lack and limitation.
I REFUSE the lie that I must hide my financial reality to keep my children's respect. IT IS WRITTEN that God's strength is made PERFECT in weakness, and Paul boasted in his infirmities so Christ's power could rest on him. My debt at 90 is not disqualifying shame - it's an opportunity for my kids to see God's supernatural provision. IT IS WRITTEN that the righteous falls seven times and rises again - falling isn't failure; staying down is. The barak blessing isn't conditional on appearing financially successful. I am Abraham's seed, blessed coming in and going out, and that truth doesn't change based on who knows my bank balance. Transparency invites breakthrough.
Father isn't measuring your elder status by debt levels - He's perfecting His strength in your weakness, turning your vulnerability into a testimony of His provision. The thief had nothing and got paradise; your empty pockets qualify you for miracle, not disrespect.