Many people are disenchanted with their homes, cars, jewelry, and clothes because other people appear to have more than they do. Most are in financial shambles because they try to match other peoples' lifestyles and when they're unable to achieve a greater status, they see themselves as failures. When they do achieve power, fame, or riches in this life, they're still unhappy and they don't know why. Some even regret their current career and living situation because they feel a big void like something is missing. However, they haven’t chosen another career or lifestyle because their current ones appear impressive to other people and socially on par with or greater than those of their friends and neighbors.
Stop measuring yourself by where you are now and your neighbors' careers and lifestyles. You can't achieve the success that God wants for you without being content and truly thankful for where you are and what you have right now. You won't find true happiness when you’re not constantly developing a deeper relationship with God in Christ and you won’t make the most of your current situation and doors God opens for your future when you won't listen to the Holy Spirit’s direction that would guide you to the place of fulfillment.
Until you are satisfied by your relationship and fellowship with the Lord, you’ll never feel that anything you’re doing or anything you have is enough. You’ll always be grasping for more things, more interaction with other people, and more praise of men, but never able to find what is truly best for you.
People’s lives have different flavors and it could be that another career, location, or business endeavor is what you should be aiming for. However, it could also be true that you simply need to cherish your current career and other blessings God has provided and obey biblical instruction. You’ll never truly know until you rest in Him by seeking Him above everything else that could be desired. This is the only way that rest is available for your soul.
Fulfillment will sprout from this rest because you will follow His career, ministry, and lifestyle instructions designed specifically for your life. While it would be nice to think that the endeavors you engage in should always be pleasing to your flesh (mind, emotion, and will), you must understand the reality of the biblical message that you may be called to careers, endeavors, and ministry at various stages of your life that are not immediately pleasing to your flesh and that only become pleasing to your spirit when you understand that they are pleasing to God because they are His purposes for you at a given point in time.
In financial and non-financial realms of your life it is the Holy Spirit who should lead your spirit in controlling your flesh (carnal nature). You should not allow your flesh to control your spirit or refuse the leading of the Holy Spirit solely on the basis that you don’t think a particular endeavor feels good or looks good to you and other people. Allowing your flesh to control your life and endeavors gives satan mentorship of your life and allows ungodly character traits to develop in you and in turn brings turmoil and negativity that will torment you throughout life if not repented of and turned away from. This is not God’s best for you.
Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life that brings rest to your weary soul but you must seek Him and His ways in order to find His rest. He will lead you closer to Him and develop character traits and practices in you that will truly allow you to rest no matter what external circumstances appear to be. The traits to be sought are the fruit of the Spirit and the practices include those that we currently think of as spiritual (prayer, praise, worship, bible study, regular fellowship, etc.) as well as tithing, budgeting, debt elimination, saving, investing, diversification, and expecting God’s favor to provide your need and desire so that you’re able to continue to live according to His financial plan.
Please pray for this ministry and email any questions. May God bless you richly as you follow His plan!!!
Philippians 4:11-13, 1Timothy 6:6-10, Luke 3:14, Hebrews 13:5
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You can find books authored by Randy and Karen Parlor at www.Amazon.com.
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