{"id":550,"date":"2017-01-04T20:27:31","date_gmt":"2017-01-04T20:27:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/?p=550"},"modified":"2017-01-04T20:27:31","modified_gmt":"2017-01-04T20:27:31","slug":"working-impress-god-not-man","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/2017\/01\/working-impress-god-not-man.html","title":{"rendered":"Working to Impress God, Not Man"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"pexels-photo-129634<\/a><\/p>\n

Very often, when I become overwhelmed by life, I\u00a0stop and ask myself, \u201cWhy are you running yourself ragged? Who are you trying to impress?\u201d\u00a0 Typically, the answer is that I am trying to impress other people.<\/p>\n

Trying to impress others is a recipe for stress. For instance, I have a friend who lives in a gorgeous, historic home.\u00a0 It is quite impressive!\u00a0 He loves the house, but often refers to it as the albatross around his neck.\u00a0 It involves an incredible amount of work to maintain, and its repairs can be costly.<\/p>\n

Likewise, having an important job has its perks \u2013 money, prestige, etc. But there is a personal cost that goes along with high powered jobs. \u00a0Typically, they are high-pressured, and involve long hours, business travel, and less time with one\u2019s family and friends.<\/p>\n

And trying to be beautiful or handsome by the world\u2019s standards is a losing battle. We all age, and with aging, our faces and bodies naturally change \u2013 and generally not for the better.\u00a0 Unfortunately, there is no diet, surgery or magic skin cream that can stop that.<\/p>\n

So, trying to impress the world is a good way to be frustrated. Instead, if you want to be happy, try impressing God.\u00a0 The things that impress God are the same things that make us happier.\u00a0 They are the same things that make us better human beings and improve our relationships with others.<\/p>\n

For example, God is not concerned with the size of your house or your bank account. He is concerned with whether you are kind to other human beings, animals and the planet.\u00a0 God doesn\u2019t care what kind of job you have.\u00a0 He does care about whether you have developed the qualities of self-control and patience.\u00a0 God isn\u2019t impressed with whether you are physically beautiful.\u00a0 Rather, he cares about whether you exhibit the qualities of goodness and gentleness.<\/p>\n

When we work to impress God, then, we are working for those things that ultimately will make us happier people in the long term. When we focus on developing the \u201cfruit of the Spirit\u201d \u2013 love, kindness, self-control, peace, gentleness, faithfulness, patience, joy and goodness \u2013 we are laying the foundation for a happy life.\u00a0 We aren\u2019t working for the momentary joy that comes from getting a fancy car or a bigger house.\u00a0 Instead, we are working toward developing the skills that we need for better relationships with others.\u00a0 We are working toward becoming more relaxed and peaceful individuals.\u00a0 We are developing those qualities that will allow us to be personally successful, not merely financially successful.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve seen this simple lesson at work in my own life. Whenever I attain things that are impressive by the world\u2019s standards, the joy is fleeting.\u00a0 My new car was exciting for about a week.\u00a0 After that, it was just a way to get from Point A to Point B.\u00a0 However, as I\u2019ve developed my faith in God, I\u2019ve become better equipped to handle whatever life throws at me.\u00a0 Similarly, as I\u2019ve worked at being more patient, I\u2019ve become a better wife and mother.\u00a0 So, I know I my efforts are best spent on impressing God.\u00a0 When I do so, I am working at achieving \u201cthe right\u201d things.<\/p>\n

This week, think about the areas of your life in which you are feeling stress. Are you overwhelmed because you are working to impress others?\u00a0 Or are you trying to impress God?\u00a0 Remember that when we work to impress God, we are on the path to being truly happy.<\/p>\n

(Photo Courtesy of Pexels)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Very often, when I become overwhelmed by life, I\u00a0stop and ask myself, \u201cWhy are you running yourself ragged? Who are you trying to impress?\u201d\u00a0 Typically, the answer is that I am trying to impress other people. Trying to impress others is a recipe for stress. 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