Confessions of an Impulsive Shopper
Knowing who we are in Jesus can transform how we shop.
“Another package?” my husband gasps as the front door barely opens because of stacks of boxes that are in the way. I shift my eyes to the side with guilt, but also excitement (not going to lie), that another fashion item has yet again hit my door step. Each time I open the package it’s like a repeat of Christmas morning, new clothes, new shoes, the dopamine hits keep on coming.
I get a rush of happiness and then I hang it in my closet with the tags still on…hopefully to be worn soon. Just moments later, I feel empty inside and I can’t quite figure out why. Then I grab my phone again to scroll the latest fashion from the latest influencer always wanting more and it never being enough.
This had been my routine for the longest time. Buying things, stuffing my closet, and continuing to purchase more and more until it drove everyone crazy. I’ve liked “stuff” from a very early age. I wanted to have a lot of it for myself and also to share with others. Was I filling a void? Yes. But did it fill that void? No.
Although I’ve had wonderful memories of shopping with family and friends, I developed a bad habit of impulsively over purchasing. As I have become more involved in church, my bible study group, and Created Woman, I have learned to understand how deeply God loves me. This truth gave me the confidence to not need “stuff” to fill my voids.
This very important lesson is also outlined in scripture. You are loved for who you are. You don’t need to possess all of the things of this world because God gives you richly all of the things to enjoy. It’s the will of God that lasts forever. In other words, it’s ok to like shopping but not to be consumed by it. You have to be intentional with what God has given you and know that it will never be enough because it’s not supposed to be. Think about fashion as an accessory to God’s love for you!
How do we apply this concretely to our lives? After reading several books about this, I came up with a series of steps to help me with impulsive shopping. I hope it helps you as much as it has helped me.
Steps and questions to ask yourself when shopping:
1. Do you have enough money for this in your budget (after saving/giving)?
2. Is this the best deal you can get for this item?
3. Is this the best version of this item you can find anywhere? Can you give away/get rid of one item and replace this one with it? (Books I have read say do a 21-item donation/toss a month).
4. Why are you buying this item? Does this represent who you are as a child of God or are you trying to impress others?
5. Can you say that by buying this item you have followed God’s will for your life or has it kept you from following his will? For example; is you purchasing this item keeping you from living out your God given purpose?
6. Remember God “Gives us richly all things to enjoy”. So as Marie Condo would say, does this item bring you joy?
This has helped me make good purchases. No impulsive purchase feels as good as an intentional one. So, if you can say an unequivocal “Yes!” to all of the above then I say “Keep Shopping!”.
ENGAGE + GO DEEPER
What is a question you can always remember to ask yourself before you purchase something? How can you use this question to help keep your shopping in check?
What fashion items do you like to wear that represent God’s love for you?
What scriptures can help you stay on the right track when shopping?
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17 NKJV)
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but the living God, who give us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:17-20 NKJV)
Mae Grant
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