Decreasing worry

TODAY'S READING: Ecclesiastes 5:10-17
We work so hard for things that we will never get to keep. Sure, we
might enjoy our material blessings for a few years, but what about
after that? Why do we invest so much energy in things that are
temporary? Why do we give up so much of ourselves for stuff that
often ends up controlling us?
The author of Ecclesiastes is on to something here. These few verses
are packed with wisdom. Here are just a few nuggets...
"The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it."
"People who live only for wealth come to the end of their lives as
naked and empty-handed as on the day they were born."
"As people come into this world, so they depart. All their hard work
is for nothing. They have been working for the wind, and everything
will be swept away."
Why do we put so much of our emotions, time, and energy into
accumulating things that we can't take with us when we die and that
will be burned up on the Day of Judgment? Why do we allow ourselves
to experience so much frustration, discouragement, and anger because
of things that don't really matter in the big picture?
I believe that our lives would be much more enjoyable, my own
included, if we could reduce the importance of stuff in our lives.
Imagine if we didn't worry about what kind of car we drove. What
kind of peace would it bring if we didn't care what kind of house we
lived in? How would it change us if we could stopping being
concerned about the name on the label of our clothes?
None of these things are inherently evil, but their place of
prominence in our lives is crucial. The problem is not wealth, it is
what we allow wealth to do to us. When we consider all we have as a
gift from God it will change so many things. We will be more willing
to use wealth as a tool of the Kingdom as opposed to using it as
something to bring us pleasure. We will worry less about money when
it becomes a method to serve God instead of the purpose of life.
We often have worry because things that shouldn't be important
become important. God did not promise us a stress-free life, but He
has shown us ways of wisdom to decrease worry and live a life of
peace. We just need to develop the ability to listen to Him and
apply the wisdom in each of our lives.

shine!
Jason