“You lust, and don’t have. You kill, covet, and can’t obtain. You fight and make war. You don’t have, because you don’t ask.” James 4:2

What lengths we go to, to get what we want. Our human sinful desires are powerful and will keep us in chains and away from God forever. We see things we like and we really want them, sometimes even when they will damage us. We covet the things that are offered in this world, and grieve for them for long times and end up bitter and disappointed when we don’t get them. Some people are overcome with apathy and the disappointment they feel becomes too heavy, so they substitute nothing. They blot out their desires and dreams and pretend to themselves that their lives are ok. That is such a tragic place to be, and only as we seek God can we be delivered from that prison.

Other people will go to any lengths to get what they want. Killing others. Perhaps not physical killing, but undermining and discouraging other people to keep them down. Often we measure ourselves by what others think, rather than what the Scripture says. The inner desire to possess and the wanting of things, can become almost unbearable. We can listen to philosophies that kill our conscience and legitimate dreams, and we take on board the idea that if we work hard and do all the right things, we will be ultimately successful and get everything we want. This is an insidious lie and is the root of apathy and spiritual death.

The arena of work can be very destructive. People, try to get to the top and get acclaim and recognition, even in so-called Christian circles, and it poisons the mind comprehensively. We really want to be recognised in our group, but we don’t get the position we wanted and when we do, it’s burden to us. We pick arguments with other groups in order to “big” ourselves up and get our followers motivated for combat. But it is fake, because there is no substance or sincerity about it.

No matter how hard we try to reach the top, we cannot. We are always left craving for something more. For the Christian, God will keep you from all harm and will raise you for His glory at the proper time. What ever He has given you to do, do it with all your might and He will sustain you and make your work shine out in His time. We must keep a godly view on these issues. Should we listen to worldly ideas, we will quickly succumb to its deadening agenda.

All the Christian has to do to fulfil their wishes and goals, is to ask God. The only reason we don’t have success and joy, is that we are finding our own way around our desires, and not bringing them to God. God is very straightforward with us. “Ask and it will be given to you.” The asking proves our faith and dependence on His holy will.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:67

“Commit your way to the Lord. Trust also in him, and he will do this: he will make your righteousness go forth as the light, and your justice as the noon day sun.”

Psalm 37:5-6

“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:4

So many Scriptures on this aspect of life. Love for God is the key and if we use it, we receive our hearts desire. We do not have to sacrifice family, marriages, callings… all is of God and as we trust Him, He will bring it all to pass.