Hope in A Hurting World.

What do you want in life?  Do you want to live the life of a millionaire/billionaire?  How about a big house, an expensive car, a perfect partner, well-behaved children, a PHD, or the perfect job?  Do these things really bring us contentment and satisfaction over the course of our lives?

Sometimes we dream of a better life, wishing we had more.  We may become envious of others because they have something we cannot afford or cannot obtain.  This mindset is a kind of brainwashing that brings negative connotations – spiritually, physically and mentally.  When we crave more of what our flesh desires we reap the consequences of our worldly, fallen nature.

Advertisements do not help our consumer-driven mentality, as they feed us with the shallow promise of how much better our lives will be by owning their product.

For many, life can sometimes be like groundhog day, where for one reason or another, we get stuck in a rut.  Feeling that we cannot move on or change our circumstances, we can be frightened or intimidated by change.

Many feel safer in the box, they find themselves in, for even mediocrity and monotony can offer a morsel of comfort, compared to the threat of change.

What you want in life will depend on many things.  For example, how you are brought up and nurtured can have a great effect on you.  If you are taught to aim high materially, more than likely you will be a successful person.  Then again, the pressure of trying to succeed can make you feel like you never have enough.  However, if you have an understanding family, whether you succeed or fail (in a material sense) they will love you unconditionally.  Who you are as a human being should be far more important to them than what you accumulate in this life.

When it comes to love, we can learn so much from others, and especially children, animals, etc.  They accept us for who we are, don’t judge us, and can give us unconditional and innocent love, like our Lord Jesus Christ.

Living a humble life, being happy in the moment, being thankful for what we have, has huge merits.  People that do not crave material things are often happier people and possess a hospitable mindset.  Take the Early Christian Fathers, who appeared shortly after the ascension of Jesus.  Many of them took to the desert and lived humble lives, happy in communion and meditation with God.  Monastic life spent in homage to God, where everything you do (whether it be serving your fellow monks/nuns, the local community or doing a simple task) is an act of worship.  As Christians, we do not need to become a monk or a nun, or even a pastor.  We can live a life that honours Christ now, without all of the trappings and temptations of the world.

The Bible tells us to keep in step with the Spirit.  Read Romans 8 for a fuller picture of walking in the Spirit and not gratifying the desires of our fallen nature.  For there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ and walk in the Spirit.  Listening to, and obeying God, is the sure way to have a healthy mind that is set on pure and trustworthy things.

Jesus offers us a life free from boredom, material want, isolation and hopelessness.  His call for us to follow Him, and receive His eternal life, is to all who will hear his voice.

Here are some Biblical references that you will find helpful:

Matt 6:33: “But seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added”.

Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me”.

Colossians 3:2: “Set your minds on things above, not on things that are on earth”.

God bless you.

Nick x.