Very often when I’m trying to think of what I want to write about and share next, I start with how I’m feeling. Lately, I’ve really been feeling like I just try too hard at life. It’s hard to explain exactly what I mean by that, but I guess just the sense that I try a little too hard to be the person that I want to be and live the life that I want to live, if that makes sense. I’ve been starting to feel some conviction from it.

The first word that came to my mind was “covetousness.” In biblical terms, covetousness can be defined as an insatiable desire for worldly gain. And then the next word that came to my mind was “pride.” We all know what pride is.

I had to ask myself these two questions: Am I content? Am I being more of a people pleaser than a God pleaser? I turned to the Bible to address both of these issues.

Not only does the tenth commandment tell us not to covet, but it’s also talked about in several other parts of the Bible as well. Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV) says, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”” Wow. This certainly gives us the best reason ever not to covet—because God has promised to never leave us or forsake us. Our security comes from Him and only Him, not the things of this world. I’m strongly reminded that God is all I need, and God will always give me all that I need.

Galatians 1:10 (NIV) says: “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” We really can’t serve two masters. If you’re only seeking to please people—you’re not serving God, you’re serving yourself. We are to have the same mind as Christ. I’m swiftly reminded to lower myself and serve the Lord with a heart full of humility.

I could seriously go on and on, but I think I’ve made this long enough to get my point across. We’re so blessed to have the Word of God to help us through this crazy life.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” ‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭(NLT)‬‬

I love the way this passage starts out—because it can really just throw you off and make you scratch your head. Like, how could one possibly consider their troubles an opportunity for great joy?

James is encouraging people to rethink how they look at their troubles—by viewing them as opportunities instead of setbacks. He’s saying that each time our faith is tested, it just keeps increasing our ability to exercise patience and remain steadfast in the face of adversity more and more. Our trials are used as tools to strengthen our faith and better equip us for anything else that may lie ahead. When you understand this and really start to apply it to your life, everything changes.

There is always a deeper purpose behind your pain than what you can immediately see happening. You’re not just suffering, you’re transforming.

When you read through the Bible, you’ll notice how it doesn’t ever try to hide or downgrade the hardships and the struggles of those who are in it—rather, it magnifies them. They are continuously used as demonstrations of God’s transformative power. They display for us how God uses imperfect people in the most perfect ways. They show us how God gives us immeasurable peace, strength, and love in every situation. They help us to see the importance of faith, trust, perseverance, and repentance. They illustrate for us the amazing gifts of grace and mercy. They teach us lessons and give us hope.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

You are not failing, you are fighting. Every time you start to feel like you are failing—whether it’s with your emotions, your relationships, your job, your finances, your recovery, or anything that life throws at you—replace the word failing with the word fighting. You are not failing, you are fighting—and God is fighting with you. Don’t give up.

“For the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭20‬:‭4‬ ‭(NKJV)‬

I think people often backslide or begin to lose hope in God when things aren’t going well for them. Sometimes it may feel as if God has forgotten about you, or maybe that He just doesn’t care about your situation. Have you ever asked yourself the question, “why do I keep praying and nothing changes?” I’m here to tell you that God is very much listening, and things are very much changing—whether you’re noticing it right away or not.

Sometimes it’s hard to see those small, subtle changes that are slowly building on each other when you’re only focusing on the bigger picture and the anticipated end result. Try focusing more on what’s right in front of you—what’s being built. It’s like the famous phrase, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

God has a plan for you. It may not always be what you would immediately expect, and it’s definitely not always in the timing that you would expect either—but it’s there and it’s good. His answers are not always quick. They could just be one small building block at a time—but they are there and they are good.

I hate to see people start to give up on their dreams, goals, and aspirations because they are losing faith after not seeing instant success. God is always working. He wants so much for you to step into the calling that He has for you with full trust. Keep praying, keep building, and keep believing. God is good all the time, even when your current circumstances are not.

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭(NKJV)‬‬