As I continue on my spiritual journey, I’ve begun to notice how often I look to the world to satisfy my wants. I say wants intentionally, because these are not the things I truly need. Lately, I’ve been practicing awareness—watching what pulls at me, what tugs at my attention, and what tempts me to seek fulfillment outside myself.
Those pulls often show up quietly: the desire for recognition, the need to be seen or validated, the craving to be liked or admired. Sometimes they appear more subtly, in the form of hidden motives—wanting something I already know, deep down, would not serve me well. These impulses promise satisfaction, but they rarely deliver peace.
Scripture reminds us of this tension clearly:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
— Matthew 6:19–21
This is where the inner struggle lives—between contentment and the ego-mind. One voice says, You have enough. Be still. Be grateful. The other whispers, This is boring. Let’s stir something up. The ego is restless. It feeds on stimulation, comparison, and desire. Gratitude, on the other hand, calls us to slow down, to remain present, and to trust that what we have is sufficient.
Jesus also warns of what happens when we gain the world but lose our spiritual sight:
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
— Mark 8:36
The world constantly offers greener pastures, louder applause, and shinier rewards. Sitting quietly with what is—without striving, without proving, without seeking approval—can feel uncomfortable. Yet it is often in that stillness that God speaks most clearly.
True peace does not come from being noticed, praised, or elevated in the eyes of others. It comes from recognizing that nothing external can add to what God has already placed within us. When we chase worldly riches, we risk missing the greater glory—communion with God, a quiet heart, and a life rooted in eternal truth.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
— Colossians 3:2
When our focus shifts from accumulation to surrender, the desire for more loosens its grip—and we begin to see the glory of God not as something we chase, but something we live within.
