“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and
perfect will.” (Romans 12: 2).

It’s deeply rooted in the human nature to always be on the move somewhere – to seek, strive and chase after what is better, what we believe will make us happy – forward and upward. We want to improve, we want to develop, we want to reach our full potential.

I fully believe that success and positive development is something divine, that it’s a longing and also an ability in a human being that reflects God’s character.

The question is whether the world’s way of looking at success and development is the same as God’s view. I do not think so. Here’s why:

In the world, without God, we struggle and strive in our own strength, we search because we are lost and want to find our ”home” – find the peace we lack deep inside. Ultimately, we seek to fulfill our need to be unconditionally loved – that’s what we know deep down inside that we were created for. Otherwise we wouldn’t constantly seek and strive for it. This perfect love is only to be found in God, it was that love Jesus proved to us on the cross. It’s only in the perfect love that true peace is found, it’s only in God’s love we become completely safe.

And in that peace, we are led by God’s Spirit, we learn to listen to his guidance for our lives. It is only when we allow the Spirit of God to lead our lives that we can achieve and maintain true success.

In Jesus Christ we have found our eternal ”home”, we have reached our full potential as God’s children because God’s Spirit lives within us – the fullness of God!

Instead of struggling, striving, and chasing, we must ”not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4: 6 – 7).

We must trust our Father in heaven. Him, whose thoughts for us are thoughts of peace and not of trouble, to give us a future and a hope. It is only in Him, led by the Spirit, that we can bear fruit – achieve true success. Without Jesus we can do nothing, says the Word of God.

Him, whose thoughts for us are higher than our thoughts, and whose ways are higher than our ways.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3: 20 – 21)

”Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not
let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14: 27)