What a Car Battery Can Teach Us About Faith and Finances

Picture this with me:

It’s the middle of winter, the coldest morning of the year. You’re already running late. Your brain is going a mile a minute stressing about all of the work waiting for you when you get into the office. You hurry out of the house. You quickly scrape some of the ice that has accumulated on your windshield overnight. Your car cabin is freezing. Your fingers are numb. 

And right as you go to turn the key…

Click… click… click…

Nothing.

The frustration hits you instantly. You pound the steering wheel and begin muttering something under your breath about the cold and start daydreaming about moving somewhere warm. Perhaps Florida or the Bahamas, or frankly anywhere that doesn’t include mornings like this.

We’ve all been there, right?

Now here’s the twist.

As I write this from south central Pennsylvania, we’re in the middle of one of the hottest Aprils on record. (And yes, I’m pretty sure it was snowing two weeks ago.) It’s a good reminder not to leave things baking in the sun. But it’s also a reminder to take care of something most of us don’t think about until it’s too late:

Our car battery.

Because, despite what that freezing morning suggests, it’s not the cold that causes most battery failures—it’s the heat.

Summer temperatures quietly do the damage:

• Battery fluid evaporates

• Corrosion builds on terminals and internal components

• The battery’s ability to hold a charge weakens

Then winter shows up. The chemical reaction inside the battery slows down, the engine becomes harder to turn over, and suddenly the problem reveals itself.

The Hidden Risk of “Summer” Markets

So, why in the world are we talking about car batteries, and what does that have to do with our faith and finances? 

Because just like the summer heat that quietly weakens a car’s battery, I’ve noticed how “summer” market conditions can quietly begin to weaken our faith if we’re not intentional. 

What I mean by that is, when everything’s going right—our portfolios are up, the economy feels strong—it’s easy for our confidence to begin to drift without even noticing it happening. Our source of peace and security begins to migrate from the Provider to the provision.

Then, when “winter” eventually comes—when markets drop and uncertainty sets in—things like anxiety, worry, and fear come on strong, and we assume it’s all because of the markets. 

Yet in reality, it’s often just revealing something in us that’s been forming over time.

So, How Do We Guard Against This?

Well, for our car battery, it means taking some simple precautions like parking in the garage or in the shade and keeping out of the prolonged heat. 

And for our faith, well… the principles aren’t all that different! 

During seasons when everything feels strong and steady, we stay intentional. We remind ourselves where our security truly comes from. We cultivate gratitude. We thank the Provider for his provision. We recognize that what we have is not something we’ve ultimately secured on our own. Rather, it’s been entrusted to us. After all, we are stewards, not owners.

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the good seasons. In fact, it’s right to celebrate them! As James 1:17 reminds us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father…”!

But those are also the moments I want to invite you to pause, to stay grounded, and to anchor yourself again in what doesn’t change. After all, markets change, and our account balances will fluctuate. Yet the One who provides is steadfast through it all.

How’s your battery?

As of posting this, the headlines have certainly been noisy of late. The “summer” feeling of the 2025 markets already feels a bit more distant as we navigate the volatility and uncertainty of early 2026.

Which, as Christians, makes this a good moment to pause and ask: Where are my confidence and security actually resting? On short-term market movement, or a long-term plan? On the provision, or the Provider?

After all, the work we do in the “summer” seasons often determines how steady we feel when winter arrives!

If you’re looking for a Christian financial advisor to help you navigate both summer and winter seasons (and to help keep your battery running smoothly through it all!), our advisors here at Christian Financial Advisors Network are here to help!

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