The apostle Paul wrote this to the Christians living in Thessalonica: “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody” (1 Thessalonians 4:11,12).
In other words, be an influencer, not by putting your whole life up on a screen but by being a good roommate, by not getting into everyone’s business, by putting your head down and doing what needs to be done and lifting it up enough to make sure everyone around you is good.
The temptation, of course, is to spend way too much time looking at other people’s lives and in doing so missing out on the life you could make.
“That looks like a great vacation; I wish we could afford that.”
“Their relationship looks amazing. Why doesn’t he bring me ________ or take me to that restaurant or dancing or . . .?”
“When will I meet Mr. Right?”
“How does she stay in shape?”
“Envy rots the bones” (Proverbs 14:30). Want to know where to start the kind of life Paul was talking about?
Root your identity firmly in Christ.
Who are you in Christ?
- You are seen, known, and loved (Psalm 139; Romans 8:35-39; Ephesians 2:4,5).
- You are chosen, royal, holy, and you belong (1 Peter 2:9).
- You are forgiven entirely of every wrong you’ve ever committed through the blood of Christ (Psalm 103; Lamentations 3:22,23; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
- You are God’s special creation, uniquely prepared to do your part in his kingdom (Ephesians 2:10).
- You are whole, even if you feel broken (Psalm 147:3).
Know and understand who God is.
A lot of us find ourselves disappointed in God, but only because we don’t understand who God is and who we are. God is not a genie. We know he answers prayers. Like a loving father, he loves to give us good gifts. But like a loving father, he also doesn’t give us everything we ask for every time we ask. And that can be hard.
A 2-year-old doesn’t understand why he can’t eat ice cream for breakfast. A 16-year-old thinks it’s unreasonable that she can’t drive to a concert six hours away with four friends. A 30-year-old doesn’t see the dangers of that promotion. An 80-year-old doesn’t understand why he can’t continue driving.
We can only see our vantage point, and God answers prayers not only in ways that are good for us but everyone else as well. And God’s vantage point is always an eternal one. He’d rather we suffer a little now but get safely to our heavenly home than have a good time now but not be with him for eternity.
Get things in their proper order.
Jesus was kind enough to help us out with this one. He pointed out the birds and said God feeds them. And he pointed out the grass and said God makes it pretty. And then he told the people around him and us that God sees us and will take care of us too. So “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).
Seek God. Get in his Word. Get in a Bible study so people can help you understand and apply his Word. Go to church to gather with God’s people, worship, and hear the Word. And as you do so, your priorities will change. They will start to align with God’s. Things that were important will become less important (like scrolling and endless entertainment). And things that weren’t on your radar will become important (like being with other Christians and encouraging one another and helping one another walk the Christian walk and not lose faith when trials come).
Your life will never be perfect this side of eternity, but you can find contentment when you know who you are, understand who God is, and don’t waste a lot of energy (physical and mental) on things that don’t matter.
