Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Wednesday, March 30, 2016
In all sincerity, the above statements are certainly sarcastic, but they are meant to be so…..Why? Because, I cannot begin to tell you the number of people that our attorneys meet with every month who are riddled with guilt and condemnation because they find themselves sitting in a bankruptcy attorney’s office baring their financial souls to someone they hardly know. By the time they meet with an attorney, they are usually frustrated, burned out on trying to find solutions and feeling so beaten down by creditors they can hardly think straight. They are very apologetic and seem to be searching for reasons to be sitting in our offices.
That’s when I usually say, “Well, if it makes you feel any better, I have never met with anyone who said they woke up one morning about 5 years ago thinking wouldn’t it be wonderful to be filing bankruptcy in about 5 years!! Sure!! Yes!! I’ll plan for that!!”
Of course not! That’s why I want to encourage everyone that I meet with by letting them know that things happen in people’s lives that are unforeseen and unpredictable. God is not angry with them, not waiting to beat them over the head with a 2 by 4 and certainly they should quit beating themselves up about the state they are in. Most have literally done everything in the world to avoid being at this place. They should forgive themselves and move forward. The sooner they can do so with the understanding that the only ones condemning them are usually themselves……let’s get an action plan together, get the stress off, and move on to living life. They will feel their loads lighten and truly believe that God still has a good future for them. NOTHING….NO THING….takes God by surprise. He’s the best “fixer” around and He gives us friends like what you will find in our attorneys and staff at all of the Bond and Botes offices who will never condemn and will help you see your bright future.