Obsessed

1. True obsession is meant for God alone

You were made to be obsessed—obsessed with your Creator. That is why obsession comes so naturally. It's how you are wired; it's what you were meant for.

Designed for devotion. Humans are inherently wired for obsession, but this inclination is meant to be directed towards God. When we misplace our devotion on anything else, we create rivals for God's rightful place in our lives. This misalignment leads to spiritual and emotional turmoil.

All-consuming love. The biblical command to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength illustrates the all-encompassing nature of true obsession. This level of devotion leaves no room for competing allegiances. It's not about partial commitment, but a total surrender of our being to our Creator.

Freedom in focus. Paradoxically, being obsessed with God leads to true freedom. When we align our desires with His will, we're liberated from the tyranny of lesser obsessions. This singular focus brings clarity, purpose, and peace that can't be found in worldly pursuits.

2. Misplaced obsessions lead to spiritual bondage

When you obsess over anything other than God, you are obsessing over stuff. Stuff isn't all bad; a lot of stuff is essential, like food, water, and clothes. Those are all needs. You've got to have them, so they can't be bad. But when you obsess over them, they go from good for you to bad for you in an instant.

Idolatry of the ordinary. Even good things can become destructive when they take God's place in our lives. This includes necessities like food and water, as well as pursuits like careers, relationships, or hobbies. The danger lies not in the things themselves, but in our disproportionate attachment to them.

Slave to the obsession. Misplaced obsessions inevitably lead to bondage. What starts as a source of pleasure or comfort can quickly become a demanding taskmaster, controlling our thoughts, emotions, and actions. This spiritual slavery robs us of the freedom and joy God intends for us.

Recalibrating desires. Breaking free from misplaced obsessions requires a deliberate realignment of our desires. It involves recognizing the insufficiency of worldly pursuits to truly satisfy our souls and redirecting our deepest longings towards God. This process often involves discomfort and sacrifice but leads to genuine fulfillment.

3. Fear and worry are symptoms of misplaced trust

Fear is something that controls you. What you fear colors the way you think about life, what you do, what you say, and what you feel.

Root of fear. At its core, fear stems from a lack of trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. When we doubt His ability or willingness to care for us, we become consumed by worry about potential threats or losses. This mindset reveals our misplaced faith in our own ability to control outcomes.

Paralysis of anxiety. Chronic fear and worry can be paralyzing, preventing us from fully engaging in life and fulfilling our God-given purpose. It creates a self-perpetuating cycle of negative thoughts and emotions that drain our energy and distort our perspective.

Antidote of trust. The biblical remedy for fear is a deepening trust in God's character and promises. As we grow in our understanding of His love, power, and faithfulness, our fears lose their grip on us. This doesn't mean we won't face challenges, but that we can face them with confidence in God's presence and provision.

4. Comfort-seeking can become a dangerous addiction

Comfort is a passion for pain avoidance. Any pain or discomfort, as some would call it, makes you crazy and must end as soon as possible. In the mind of the comfort-obsessed, pain is evil and comfort is great.

Numbing effect. The pursuit of comfort often leads to a deadening of our spiritual senses. In our efforts to avoid pain or discomfort, we can become addicted to temporary pleasures that offer relief but ultimately leave us empty. This cycle of comfort-seeking prevents us from experiencing the growth that comes through challenges.

Missed opportunities. An obsession with comfort can cause us to miss out on God's best for our lives. We may avoid risks, difficult conversations, or opportunities for service that would lead to personal and spiritual growth. This self-protective instinct ironically leaves us more vulnerable to spiritual stagnation.

Redefining comfort. True comfort comes not from the absence of difficulty, but from the presence of God in the midst of our struggles. Learning to find our comfort in His unchanging nature and promises allows us to face life's challenges with courage and resilience.

5. Pain and suffering serve a spiritual purpose

Pain and the suffering it produces have a big spiritual payoff: endurance. Endurance comes from making it through something, not medicating it, not fearing it, and not arranging your life to completely avoid it.

Refining process. Pain and suffering, while unpleasant, play a crucial role in our spiritual development. They act as a refining fire, burning away impurities in our character and strengthening our faith. This process produces endurance, character, and hope.

Perspective shift. Embracing the purpose behind our pain allows us to view suffering differently. Instead of seeing it as pointless or cruel, we can recognize it as a tool in God's hands for our growth and His glory. This perspective enables us to persevere through difficulties with hope and even joy.

Christ-like character. As we endure suffering, we become more like Christ, who learned obedience through what He suffered. Our pain connects us more deeply to His experience and equips us to comfort others with the comfort we've received from God.

6. Emotional healing comes through embracing truth

Truth heals emotional pain better than any other medicine you can apply. Truth heals emotional pain because truth resets your heart and your mind and calibrates your emotional life to the life of Christ.

Power of truth. Emotional healing is rooted in embracing God's truth rather than our feelings or circumstances. When we align our thoughts with biblical reality, it recalibrates our emotions and provides a stable foundation for healing.

Identifying lies. Much of our emotional pain stems from believing lies about ourselves, others, or God. The process of healing involves identifying these falsehoods and replacing them with God's truth. This often requires intentional effort and the support of a Christian community.

Ongoing renewal. Emotional healing is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of renewing our minds. As we consistently expose ourselves to God's Word and allow it to shape our thinking, we experience progressive transformation and increasing emotional health.

7. God-obsession leads to freedom and contentment

The God-obsessed are the most joyful and content people on the planet, because nothing can separate them from their Savior; nothing can alter his plans or change his course.

Unshakeable foundation. Those who are truly obsessed with God find a stability that transcends circumstances. Their joy and contentment are rooted in the unchanging nature of God rather than the fluctuations of life. This provides a sense of security and peace that the world cannot offer.

Freedom from lesser pursuits. God-obsession liberates us from the tyranny of worldly ambitions and approval-seeking. When our primary goal is to glorify God, we're freed from the constant striving for success, popularity, or material gain that often leads to discontentment.

Contentment in all circumstances. Like the Apostle Paul, those obsessed with God learn to be content in any situation. This contentment stems from the conviction that God's will is being accomplished and that His presence is constant, regardless of external conditions.

8. Faith, confession, and fruit-bearing mark the God-obsessed life

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

Faith as foundation. A life obsessed with God is built on unwavering faith in His character and promises. This faith isn't blind optimism but a deep-seated trust based on knowledge of God's Word and experience of His faithfulness.

Confession as cleansing. Regular confession of sin is crucial for maintaining a God-obsessed life. It keeps us humble, dependent on God's grace, and sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading. Confession also frees us from the burden of guilt and shame that can hinder our intimacy with God.

Fruit as evidence. The ultimate proof of a God-obsessed life is the fruit it produces. This includes both the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.) and the fruit of good works that glorify God. A life truly devoted to God will inevitably impact others and bear witness to His transforming power.

Last updated: August 18, 2024