When we get our first credit card it can be fun and the power we feel with being able to lay down our plastic to get what we have been wanting can be addictive. Especially if you have a lot of unhealed emotional pain, unmet emotional and spiritual needs, or if you have a low self-worth problem or suffer from depression. The problem is, once you get one credit card, other companies will often send you more credit cards, or you may max out your card and then apply for new cards to run up. Soon you can get over your head in debt and find yourself being harassed by creditors, declaring bankruptcy, being threatened with divorce by your angry spouse, or worse, contemplating suicide. It can be much like a gambling addiction because the addict is feeding off of the sense of pleasure and worth they get from going out and buying things (accumulating perceived worth and sufficiency). And also from the sense of power and control they feel from the thrill of the risk and the act of purchasing. But when there is no more credit to draw on, all the consequences come crashing down upon them and the fear and depression can feel almost unbearable.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to find out if your are having a problem in this area;

1. Have you ever asked yourself why you buy things you don't need?
2. Have you ever spent money for bills on things for yourself?
3. Have you stolen money from a friend, family member, employer or place of business?
4. Do you start out thinking that you deserve a reward and then end up feeling shame and guilt?
5. Does your spending cause strife between yourself and a significant other?
6. Do you go shopping to change your mood?
7. Do you shop when you are depressed?
8. Do you shop when you are happy and then become depressed?
9. Have you ever maxxed out your credit cards?
10. Have you ever used one credit card to pay the bill of another?
11. Do you shop to impress others?
12. Do you hide things that you buy from others?
13. Do you give things away to others to help relieve the pain caused by spending? 
14. Have you ever sought help for a spending/shopping problem?
15. Have you ever wished your life was different?

You see, in our quest to gather symbolic worth, value, and security through buying things, we are just putting a Band-Aid on the real problems which are low self worth, fear of life, and fear of not feeling in control. We have felt powerless in life and now through spending we feel powerful, in control, sufficient, and protected from life's pain. The answer to overcoming this addiction is to allow the Holy Spirit to dig deep into your heart and to expose and heal the real root issues that have been fueling your spending addiction. God will be faithful to gently but firmly take you back to what went wrong and to help you to let go of the lies you have believed about yourself, others, and about Him. He will show you the truth that you are greatly loved and accepted by Him just as you are, and that with his help He will give you a plan to begin to face the monster of debt and addiction that has been stalking you.

One of the best ways to get out of debt is by giving to where God leads you to (anywhere, not just church or well-known charities). You can give anything, not just money, but be led by God either way. God honors those that honor Him, so as you give to Him, He gives back even more. We don't do this as an investment, we do this to enter a partnership with God financially, and to honor Him with all that He gives us. Another thing that is important is to forgive anyone that you have been angry with so that God can forgive you. You can get through this my friend, but you must surrender fully and unconditionally to God's will and plan for your life to receive His help. You may be facing your bottom right now, but Jesus is there with you, so do not fear because He has a plan to help you if you are willing to give Him full control.

Here is a prayer to pray if you need it.

"Dear God, I have made an idol out of buying things and spending money, and I have looked for my self-worth in life through what I could buy. I ask you Father, to forgive me now for all of the pain and trouble that I have caused through my financial disobedience and rebellion. I ask that you would forgive all of the financial sin that I have ever committed, and I just surrender my will and life to you right now in this area, completely and unconditionally. I ask that you would help me to get free from all debt and to live free from all types of spending addiction. I thank you God for forgiving my great spiritual debt of sin, and for helping me this day to begin to overcome this terrible addiction. In Jesus name I pray, amen".

Some scriptures to help you.