Posted by Yong TM (202.172.43.132) on February 28, 2003 at 10:04:34:
In Reply to: Re: Temptation posted by Johanes Wibowo on February 27, 2003 at 13:26:08:
Your situation is not so different from mine. I am surrounded by people who are much more successful materialistically than myself. Although I lead a simple lifestyle, it is not easy when even that lifestyle is threaten when cash flow becomes a problem, and you see others swimming in cash with little effort. I have a business associate who is not a Christian, but who seems to have the 'Midas Touch'; meaning everything he touches turns to gold. So it is tough NOT to be envious or bitter about my own experiences in entreprenuership.
You will find strength only when you are at peace with yourself; and you can find peace with yourself only when you are at peace with God. The Buddhist understands the first concept; but they do not have God's revelation to get the second part. Ultimately, all peace can come only when we know that our destiny is not in our hands but in God's hand. When you get this right, all of life's priorities will be made right; including choosing a spouse who is right with God rather than right with man (e.g. rich). God cannot be wrong; while human beings very often are. Of course it is difficult while we are not 'successful'; that is where faith comes in.
Remember also that it is often a matter of the will. You cannot wait for yourself to 'naturally' feel peaceful. God has spoken already; so we need to exercise our reason and will to follow His commandments (Romans 12:1,2). Like the Americans say, if you keep mixing around with the pigs, you should not complain about the smell. In other words, if you do nothing to steer your mind or behaviour pattern, then don't blame God for not changing you. One of the most active thing you can do is to 'wrestle' with God over these things in prayer; and ask Him to give you the strength to overcome these negative feelings. But don't say pray once in a while, but do it consistently and you will change for the better.
While there are many verses in the Bible that can help, I am personally very moved by the classic hymn "Be Thou My Vision", one of the many hymns I have committed to memory. I consider this hymn to be the perfect hymn (the other very close one would be "Jesus, Lover of my soul"). I sing this hymn very often to remind me of my priorities in life. May I share this with you to encourage you to hold on to Him whatever happens in your life:
Be Thou my vision O LORD of my heart
Not be all else to me save that Thou art
Thou my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping Thy presence my light
Be Thou my wisdom and Thou my true WORD
Thou ever with me and I with Thee LORD
Thou my great Father and I Thy true Son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one
Riches I heed not nor men's empty praise
Thou my inheritance now and always
Thou and Thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art
(The fourth stanza is often missing in most hymnals):
Be Thou my battleshield, sword for the fight
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight
Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tower
Raise Thou me heavenward, O power of my power
High King of heaven my victory won
May I reach heaven's joy O bright heaven's sun
Heart of my own heart whatever befall
Still be my vision O ruler of all.