Christian Counseling - Blessings & Curse Of The Good Life

Most of us similarly define the good in good life--freedom, a decent job, home ownership, friends, marriage, family and, to Christians, a relationship with God in Christ. The good life is often associated with America where a better life can be had in this country than most anywhere else in the world. What is not often considered or understood is that the good life is also a position of temptation that can become a curse.

Solomon said it well, "Give me neither poverty nor riches...That I may not be full and deny You and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or that I not be in want and steal..."(Proverbs 30:8,9). Being too uncomfortable tempts us to do wrong, while being too comfortable takes away the edge of productive anxiety and needed motivation to stand watch over the good life one has secured. Complacency thrives in the ease of life where there is no threat, conflict or battle. Perhaps we need to add to the definition of the good life "necessary trouble." This might prevent us from leaving our guard post unattended where evil enters to steal the life we want and for which we have struggled.

Another curse connected to the good life is, "The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor is the ear filled with hearing" (Ecclesiastes 1:8). What we are happy and satisfied with today is old hat tomorrow, meaning we cease to be content with what we have and seek ever more.

Learning the discipline of being content with what we have is the antidote to a good life that is always just around the next bend; that is, the next size house or promotion. This doesn't mean we don't strive to improve our lot in life, but we first fully accept what is (cease to struggle with) and then decide whether or not to pursue an even better life. The latter, if chosen, is gone after only with wisdom and caution at the front line.