We are all wired to pursue our own self-interest. When we recognize that serving others, listening to God, and chasing after righteousness is actually the best thing we can do for ourselves, it transforms how we live.
All too often, we are deceived and led astray by the empty promises of this world and the lustful desires of the flesh. We start to believe (wrongly) that certain things are in our best interest.
Greed can lead to a compounding problem. The more we don’t get what we think we want, the more we try to fight, manipulate, and control both our circumstances and the people around us to correct what we feel is off course. Unchecked, this leads to delusion. We start to deny reality. We call false things true and sick things well.
One of the great gifts of fellowship with God is that it helps us to see things as they are. Refusing to acknowledge reality is a confusing shackle we sometimes find ourselves in, not sure how to escape.
Trusting God helps alleviate our fear of circumstances because we know we can trust Him no matter what the circumstances entail. We do not have to be so worried about acknowledging the truth of how things are because we lean on a God who works all things for good.
A perspective that acknowledges reality takes courage and faithfulness. It is in our best interest to do so.