What are we really after?
I’m ready to admit it- we have a problem, an obsession really. As Americans, and even more shockingly as believers, we have an addiction to “ease”.
We love it!
We crave it!
A lifestyle of “ease” has become our consuming passion.
We even feel entitled to it!
What is worse, we look to heaven in resentment when we don’t get it.
Why God are you allowing this? Why is life so hard? Isn’t it supposed to be easier?
Where much of the world is consumed with daily survival in war-torn countries or starving nations, we can find ourselves in the peculiar position of being “at risk” because of our affluence.
What is it costing us?
Our obsession to seek after “ease” in our jobs, our parenting, our marriages, our health, even in our faith, has cost us plenty!
We have become a generation, a society, that has forgotten the true standard of normal. We have sought to re-establish what should be daily expectations.
Instead of hard work sprinkled with usual doses of sacrifice, we have chosen to declare “ease” as the norm with gracious doses of comfort. Somehow, we have declared war on old-fashioned toil and self-sacrifice.
And boy is that hurting us!!
I should know………
Somewhere along the way, I bought into this mindset just like much of our society. As a recovering perfectionist, I came to the mindset that my role as a wife and mother was to ensure ease/comfort for my family. And let’s be honest, that came as a benefit to me as well, for the more my family did not “lack”, the more ease that was for me.
Who wants a home filled with people struggling with problems?!?!
Surely if I strived hard enough, we could have an easier time as a family. I mean weren’t we supposed to have Hallmark days and Disney vacations as our norm?
It took several years of my efforts to fix or prevent all our troubles that I finally began to wake up to the REAL problem- I was expecting a life of ease as our norm.
It had become my idol!
How was “ease” my idol?
An idol is anything we value more than we should and at the expense of God. It is what we worship, what we NEED in order to be happy.
I had grown to need “ease” in order to be content with life. If our family norm was plagued with troubles of varying kinds then that wasn’t acceptable.
Dealing with all the “needs” of a family was becoming intolerable. From schoolwork demands to sports drama, learning issues to teenage rebellion, friend issues to work ethics, something was always popping up that demanded my attention. Between teaching the kids what they needed to learn through middle/high school and subsequently holding them accountable, I was becoming resentful over why we didn’t have an easier time with it all.
Life, and for that matter faith, wasn’t supposed to be THIS MUCH trouble, was it?!
Surely trouble/sacrifice were only rarely necessary at best, right?
I didn’t like all the hard work of living in a world of sin. Whether it was dealing with my own sin or the sin of others, or just hardship in general, I wanted a little to no-cost kind of lifestyle.
And that is just not what I see exampled for me by Christ in the gospels!
What was Jesus consumed with?
Jesus should always harken us back to what our true perspective should be, so as I see Him in Matthew 12:15-21, I see His mindset clearly.
Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. He warned them not to tell others about him.
This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.”
At first glance, we can think that if God was so pleased with Jesus, then why was He suffering and striving? Why was life so hard? This passage speaks of the purpose Jesus was to fulfill that was prophesied from the beginning. Christ enduring hardship was God’s plan for Him all along, even though God loved and delighted in Him!
Jesus spent His life in obedience to His Father, perfectly aligned with His will. He considered God and others before His own need or comfort. Christ was not after life matching His expectations of prosperity this side of heaven but instead, came to earth knowing that trouble was what awaited Him. It was not intended to be “heaven on earth”.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”John 16:33
A trouble-free life was never His intention!! Ease wasn’t the expectation!
Peace was!
A trouble-free life was never Christ's intention or expectation. Peace was! Share on XWhy do we need peace more than we need ease?
Preventing or solving all the problems of the world was never the goal of Christ. Reconciling a lost human race to a Holy God was what was important, not His own personal comfort.
You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. Acts 10:36
Through Christ, we are able to have peace with God, which allows us then to experience it in all others areas of life.
The mindset from the beginning was not a trouble-free existence in this world but instead for the peace of Christ to OVERCOME all the trouble.
His “peace” is not FROM suffering or sacrifices but IN and THROUGH them!!
The peace promised from Christ is not FROM all our troubles but THROUGH them. Share on XThe peace of Christ overcomes our trouble and the discomfort of this world! That’s to be our goal in life and the answer for the idolatry of “ease”!
How can we adjust?
When we are faced with yet another marriage issue, we can deal with it through Christ and the peace He offers us. As we encounter work trials, we will not be thrown off-guard by them because we will anticipate trouble, not as an exception to the rule, but as the norm of life this side of heaven. If our health takes an unexpected turn, we will run to Christ for the grace we need to bear that burden. As society tells us to let electronics raise our kids and to excuse their lazy, selfish, disrespectful behavior, we will refuse the easier path of denial and get to the work of parenting the children we are blessed to have. When society says to expect less from one another to forego loving each other well in truth, we will look to Christ and His example of sacrificial love.
And even more importantly, when we feel weary from all the busy schedules that we allow and create, we will not give way to laziness and forego our time in the Word. We will not push God aside in order to have more time for ourselves. Understanding the need to adjust our schedules rather than our time with God, we will keep right priorities.
I know this can be easier said than done so I have provided a reference for how to find peace practically when you are feeling the weight of trouble in your life.
Dear friends, let us throw off the sin that so easily entangles and run with perseverance this race before us. May we toss away our idols of ease and be willing to follow hard after Him. There is so much to gain if we do and so much to lose if we don’t.
What can help
If you would like to have a deeper understanding of God’s Word, may I suggest this fabulous post by my friend Stephen Altrogge from The Blazing Center.
Here is my additional post on how to re-establish peace when it becomes disrupted.
Tammy L Kennington says
Good morning, Gretchen. This post spoke straight to my heart today. Thank you for the encouragement–it means more than you know.
Blessings,
Tammy
Gretchen Fleming says
So glad to be of service Tammy! Thanks for visiting:)
RebeccaLynn says
Amen! It’s astonishing to look at Christians in other parts of the world, who are suffering so much and yet filled with so much peace and hope. And yet, here in America, we live in dread of what hasn’t even happened … and consume our lives with hoping it won’t. What we should be doing instead is consuming our lives in the hope of Christ, and praying for others who are truly going through dreadful situations. Wonderful reminders once again, Gretchen! xoxoxo
Gretchen Fleming says
Well said RebeccaLynn! ?
Brenda says
That’s an easy addiction to adopt, isn’t it? I realized several years back that I’d feel frustrated if things weren’t “normal.” But, the Lord spoke to my heart, reminding me that all the chaos of living life in family was normal, and that I was blessed to have it. “Ease” is not realistic this side of heaven, is it? Thanks for sharing this encouragement today, Gretchen. ((hug))
Gretchen Fleming says
Excellent point and perspective Brenda! Thanks for stopping by friend:)
Donna Reidland says
Gretchen, what a great post! It’s brimming with truth. I needed to hear this today. I’ve been so grieved by some things in my family that haven’t changed. I’ll be pinning and sharing in the hope that others will be blessed!
Gretchen Fleming says
Thank you so much Donna! ?
Maree Dee says
I also believe in our quest for “ease” we make life that much more complicated. We are busier than ever and yet we have so many conveniences. Maybe it wasn’t so bad to walk to the well for water. Imagine the fellowship.
Gretchen Fleming says
Indeed! I don’t think we are gaining any ground but losing it. Thanks for visiting today ‘
Liz Rigby says
This is something I’ve been trying to teach my kids. I grew up in a pretty poor home and had to learn to go without, but my kids have a very cushy life and it’s hard to teach them that they’re not getting everything they want when they know we can afford quite a few things….that giving is more important than getting, and loving more important than receiving. That their hearts are more important than what they get on the outside. Sometimes I almost wish we weren’t quite so blessed! Thank you for sharing this at the #warriorlinkup <3
Gretchen Fleming says
I agree Liz, it is so challenging fighting the entitlement mindset of our children growing up in affluence. I was a stay at home mom and in hindsight, I think all my abilities of constant care may not have been such a good thing. I know the more we required their responsibilities at home for chores, saying no to some of their requests, and expecting them to have part time jobs in high school helped them fight against societal trends. Thanks for stopping by Liz:)
Ruth @ plantedbylivingwater says
You hit the nail on the head.
Great post! Sharing on Facebook and Twitter.
Your neighbor at Warriors of the Word.
Gretchen Fleming says
Thanks so much Ruth!!
Debbie Kitterman says
Gretchen – I am so glad you could join the party last week at #TuneInThursday. I am so sorry it has taken me so long to get around to commenting on your post, I had a retreat I was speaking at this past weekend, and it put me behind a few days.
You know as I was reading through your post, I thought about how very true the words you wrote – we want it now, our way or hit the highway… We don’t want to be inconvenienced and we will even be willing to pay more for certain items so we won’t be. You got me thinking really deep today. Blessings.
Gretchen Fleming says
Oh no worries at all Debbie! Hope your retreat went well:)
Betsy de Cruz says
What a thought-provoking post, Gretchen. So glad I saw you at #GraceandTruth. 🙂 You touched upon some thoughts I’ve had regarding parenting teens: “Why does it have to be so hard.?” “It’s just one thing after another.” Thanks for the reminder that PEACE is what we really need. Not EASE.
Gretchen Fleming says
Amen Betsy! Well said:)
Heather says
My heart feels this to be so true even in my own life. The older I get the more I feel I’m afraid of the ‘hard work’. But we weren’t promised life here on earth without work and toil. To have peace is so much more valuable than ease… Going back for another read and a save! Lots to chew on here. Thank you Gretchen for pointing these things out in such a loving way. Here’s to getting to work with cultivating peace. 🙂
Gretchen Fleming says
Amen Heather and I am so glad you were served here today:)
Ang says
Interesting perspective. With half of Americans opting to not take vacations, it seems like we are busier than ever, with busyness being the idol & a life of ease tends to be only a dream. Most are burnt out with the striving or are too tired to do anything at the end of the day. Love Matthew 11:28 – 30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Hence, a life of ease & significance is where I want to be. Thanks for sharing.
Gretchen Fleming says
I can understand your perspective about not wanting to be so busy but my intent in this post was to address our desire to steer clear of the hard work necessary in life and faith, as well as the troubles that can be inevitable. I wholeheartedly agree with the goal of not being so busy. Thanks for stopping by!
Sarah says
Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you writing this post! I am deeply convicted – you have put so clearly what I have heard God pointing out to me for a while, but I didn’t take the time to really listen.
At this point, I feel a little overwhelmed by the problem, but trust God to keep helping me figure it out. Looking forward to reading your linked post!
Gretchen Fleming says
I’m so glad Sarah you were served here today:) It is my heartfelt desire to encourage others in their faith with the truth and perspective He gives me for mine??. Keep going with where He is leading you Sarah. There is so much to gain when we follow Hard after Him! Thank you so much for visiting with me today!
Julie says
Gretchen- thank you for this thought provoking post! I think I was stuck in the same mindset, I thought being a Christian was supposed to be easy. However Jesus promises it will not. I need to be better about accepting and trudging through the hard.
#Grace&Truth
Gretchen Fleming says
I found when my perspective adjusted, life actually became easier because I wasn’t fighting a losing battle? Better late than never? Lol