6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

I Timothy 6:6-7 NIV

Day 52: Manage Desire

Have you ever been told about the importance of setting goals?  When reading books about success or having a better life often we are told that we must set goals and that they should be specific.  I have found that when I set a specific goal I have a greater sense of purpose.  I can know where I’m going and how close I am to getting there.

But there is another side to goals.  We can become unhappy and dissatisfied with our lives–good, God blessed lives.  By intensifying our desire we are able to create greater energy towards our goal.  If we write down the goal daily or meditate on it we intensify our desire to achieve it.  If we visualize it we also increase our desire to have it.  But are we creating goals that will take away from enjoying the life we’ve been given?

¹⁹ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

²⁰ But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

²¹ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

Don’t let someone trying to make a buck control your desire.  I was happy with my IPHONE 8 until the next one came out.  My apartment was nice till we went to potluck at your townhouse.  My modest single family home was the bomb until I came to the cook out in your new development and I saw your mansion with walk in closets and stainless steel appliances.  The things we have our wonderful.  We are blessed if we can pause and count the good.  When you live in famine then the food that we throw away looks spectacular.  It’s easy to be tricked into not appreciating all we have.

The problem with setting goals can be the goal.  Imagine if I set a goal to be a millionaire.  What happens if that goal took me away from creating a loving household or a vibrant church community?  Will Our Father be pleased?  Can everyone be the president of the company?  NO! But everyone can be happy and a blessing.

Today, I will manage my desire!  I will learn to be content with what I have.  And I will pray both for my needs and the needs of others.

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