34. Gazelle Intensity

What is Gazelle Intensity?

Proverbs 6:4–5 says, “Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and like a bird from the hand of the Fowler.”

Gazelle Intensity is a term I believed coined by Christian author & radio host Dave Ramsey. Dave says that it requires intensity and determination to get out of debt. Cheetah's run exceptionally fast reaching up to 75 miles per hour when in full sprint. Cheetah's are the fastest animal God created.

So gazelle's do not stand a chance against cheetahs I guess. Wrong! As seen by the video above and the one below gazelle's do get away!

Cheetah's also known as Credit Card Companies and other Financial Institutions are trying to get you into more debt. They offer "same as cash" or "no interest for X amount of months" to lure people in. But you can resist them! You can even tell your debtors that you want out and fight for your life by paying off your debt like the gazelle in the first YouTube video! 

The Debt Snowball Strategy is one way way to get out of debt. The idea is to sort your loans smallest to largest. Pay off the smallest first and then apply that original payment to the next smallest loan. Continue doing this until all debt is paid! 

Another method is the "avalanche debt strategy" which is to pay off the debt with the highest interest first. Then pay off the next highest interest debt next. Continue doing this until all debt is paid!

Also it is essential to budget and save for emergencies. Budgeting can be a little intimidating but it's really not that bad. People are not always keen on going to the dentist. However, with a little pro-activity  such as getting your teeth cleaned (budgeting) you can avoid bad experiences like cavities (debt). Once you create a habit of putting everything down on paper/computer what you make and plan where it will go you'll be amazed how much you can save!

Having an emergency fund means not having to pull out the credit card when the car breaks down, the frig needs replacing, or you have to make a trip to the doctor. It means better sleep as it gives peace of mind and reduces fights related to finances for couples.

For more see Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey.

Here are some other passages that come to mind regarding debt. 

"Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law."- Romans 13:8

"The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave." - Proverbs 22:7 

"A prudent one foresees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished." - Proverbs 22:3

"A wise man thinks ahead; a fool doesn’t, and even brags about it!" - Proverbs 13:16 

So what do you think? How have you been "Gazelle Intense" in reducing your debt? Are you on a budget and do you have an emergency fund? 

Have you used the "Debt Snowball" (lowest account balance) or "Avalanche" (highest account interest) strategy in reducing your debt? Leave a comment! 

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