Introduction
Our world is full of distraction and suffering. The great temptation is to allow these forces to overwhelm you. To fall into despair, or worse, to believe that your life is worthless. To give up control, and to waste away in meaninglessness. Is this what God wants for you?
The Mindset That Can Change Your Life
You probably read that title and thought: “Seriously. I feel like my life is meaningless. Everything is falling apart. I’m struggling to muster up the courage to get out of bed in the morning. And your solution is (Drumroll) the power of positive thinking?” I’m not saying that, but the bible makes it clear that we have a say in how we approach our most dire circumstances.
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!”
– Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV)
In Genesis 4, we read about Cain and Able. Both brothers brought offerings to the Lord, but the eldest brother’s offerings were rejected. His sacrifices were not sufficient. In the context of this story, God is basically telling Cain, that he has wasted his potential and not given himself to God like his brother has. As a result of that, a spirit of malevolence and sin is crouching at his door and is waiting to devour him. But Cain has the choice to invite that spirit in. Cain can open any door he wishes to. God makes it clear however, that if Cain does what is right, i.e. makes the appropriate sacrifices, he will be accepted.
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
– Revelation 3: 20 (NIV)
In any situation, we can choose to invite God in, or we can choose to open the door to the devil. I’m not trying to minimize your suffering. Your suffering may be dire and completely overwhelming. But hell is a bottomless pit. No matter what situation you are in, you can always make it worse. Or you can change your mindset, cast your vision up, and start making things better.
This is the mindset that can change your life. When you are faced with suffering, ask yourself: “Have I done anything that could have contributed to that suffering?” If you feel worthless and that your life is meaningless, ask yourself: “Have I wasted the potential God instilled in me?” If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then that is great news! Because it means you can actually make a difference and start making it better. This is the promise God gives Cain.
“Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
– Genesis 4: 6 – 7 (NIV)
Cast Your Vision
“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.”
– 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NIV)
Eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit. We often vilify our own desires. We think ourselves untrustworthy and evil. But what Paul is saying, is that we need Godly desires. If you are feeling like your life is meaningless, then maybe you’re chasing the wrong desires. Or, as is more frequently the case, following no desires at all.
What is the aim of your life? We are called to take part in God’s plan. From the very beginning in Genesis 1: 28 we are called to be fruitful and multiply. We were never supposed to be passive bystanders. If you are feeling worthless, maybe you need to take on a more active role in the story of God. You need a goal.
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 3: 12- 14 (NIV)
In Philippians, Paul presses on to take hold of the goal that God has ordained for him. Motivation to press on comes from your active striving towards that goal. If your feeling unmotivated, you need a better goal.
Set a concrete goal. Something you can actively strive towards. It needs to be challenging and worthwhile. However, be humble, you need to segment it out into achievable steps. If you set a goal, you will also limit your fragmented attention and focus on one thing. Like Jesus teaches in Luke 10: 41- 42. The antidote to aimlessness, is to aim at something. Then you can step out in faith, and chase after God’s plans for your life. Choose the sacrifices you want to make and God will lead you onward. Then you can follow with discipline.
“In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.”
– Proverbs 16: 9 (NIV)
The Strength Of Discipline
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
– Matthew 5:5 (NIV)
In today’s world we understand meekness as weakness. Those people who are ineffectual. The ones who cannot act. The fearful and idle. The ones who have no self-control. This verse, from the beatitudes, is often quoted as an excuse for people to do what they want, or not to follow the will God calls them to. I’m not obedient and self-controlled, but at least I am still meek. This, however, is an unfortunate translation into our current understanding of the word meekness.
“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”
– Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)
When you look at the original Greek, in which the beatitudes were written, and translate the word more literally, the meaning becomes clearer. I have read a lot of commentaries and scholars are in consensus that the word means peacemakers. The people who can control themselves. Poole’s commentary on Matthew describes it as: Those “who can be angry, but restrain their wrath in obedience to the will of God.” We had it wrong. We are not called to be weak. We are called to be strong, but to control that strength.
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
– 2 Timothy 1: 7 (NIV)
Is weakness a bad thing? As we discussed in the mindset we are called to, the way we approach situations can cause needless suffering. So too, weakness causes needless suffering, when we are not equipped for the purpose God calls us to. If you are willingly weak, life will get extraordinarily more difficult. Our mission is rooted in the world and others. Thus, you cause needless suffering for yourself and others if you are not self-disciplined. God equips us through discipline.
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
– Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
When you feel like your life is meaningless. It does you no favors to wallow in that conviction. You were called for a purpose. Straying further from that focus will only cause you to become more aimless, confused and ineffectual. So, take courage and bare the temporary burden of self-discipline. Allow yourself to be equipped. Increase in your skill, your conviction and you calling. Don’t hide your light under a bushel. Be obedient and allow God to lead you when you feel lost. This is our appropriate sacrifice.
“Fight on, fighter
Don’t let anyone steal your fire
Fight on, fighter
The Spirit is alive inside ya”
– Fight On, Fighter; for King & Country
Conclusion
When you feel like your life is meaningless, don’t let that impulse overtake you. Change your mindset to regain control over your life. Cast your vision upwards, towards God’s will, to narrow your focus. Learn self-control and discipline, to follow God’s will faithfully. Have the courage to bear the suffering and responsibility of your life. Then, God will equip you and lead you. You have no idea how much potential God instilled in you. Have the courage to find out. This is the meaning of life.
John
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This post gives hope! Hope to reach for a Godly goal, a meaningful life. This made me think how my mindset influences my life.