Moneywalk 147: Rest for Your Weary Soul

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 (Luke 3:14). 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 because their current career appears to impress other people and be socially on par with or above 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 moving in God’s purpose for your life and 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 or any endeavors because you won’t listen to the Holy Spirit’s direction that would guide you to the place of fulfillment (Philippians 4:11-13). Thus, you will not find rest for your soul. You’ll never feel that anything you’re doing or anything you have is enough. You’ll always be grasping for more things, interactions with other people, and 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 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 as you understand that they are pleasing to God because that’s His purpose for you at the present time (1Timothy 6:6-10).