A good, practical word of warning from Justin Buzzard.
I’ve noticed something. Maybe you’ve noticed the same thing.
When coming out of a hard season, when life starts to get a little bit easier, I’ve noticed that my prayer life slowly becomes a little less active, a little less desperate. Is this ringing a bell?
I think it’s crucial that we notice and address this. Why? Because such a downshift in our prayers signals the subtle beginnings of idolatry—life gets easier and we slowly begin putting our trust in the improving circumstances (better financial position, better work performance, more notoriety, etc.) rather than the God who improved our circumstances.
Notice and address this.
The first key is to notice that this is happening. Notice the tendency of your heart to shift attention and prayer away from God because now you think you don’t need God like you used to when life was hard. That’s a lie.
The second key is to address what’s happening in your head and heart. Remind yourself of where your ultimate security lies, remind yourself of your ultimate treasure: God. Praise God and thank God for your easier life (he wants you to enjoy the graces he gives you), but wake up every morning and be crystal clear with yourself—you stand in desperate need of God. Your circumstances could change in an instant, but your great comfort in life and death is that you belong to God. In him you have a rock to stand on, no matter how hard or easy your life may be at the moment.
When life gets easier, don’t pray less. When life gets easier, enjoy God, go to God, commune with God even more. This will protect you from the subtle creep of idolatry.