by Brandon Seyl
Navigating Temptation: Finding Contentment and Gratitude in a World of Endless Desires
In this digital world, you will always be tempted by the desire for “more.” Contentment is as elusive as ever, and if you aren’t careful, you will find yourself on a dangerous path. I’ve seen people lose their sanity, entire bank accounts, and relationships to chase “greener grass” or ambition without purpose. Unfortunately, the closer they get, the harder it is to convince them they have “more” than enough. Then, it’s only a matter of time until the snake in the grass reveals itself. Photo by Sajedur R. Roni at pexels.com I was listening to a song by The Weeknd the other weekend. No pun attended? The song made me reflect on something I’m noticing more and more. People are chasing everything and anything for the wrong reasons. Or quite simply…for no reason other than for selfish ones. In the words of The Weeknd,“Like a moth to a flame, I’ll pull you in; I’ll pull you back to what you need initially. It’s just one call away, And you’ll leave him; you’re loyal to me, But this time, I let you be.” He’s talking about a relationship involving a protagonist with someone in a committed relationship. It’s a safe assumption that the person in a committed relationship has a void. So, they’re fulfilling that need or desire with the protagonist. The protagonist is that “more.” We can all agree that this situation is wrong. I’d take a wild guess that the parties involved do as well. For my fellow Christians, we all know the story of Adam and Eve from the book of Genesis finds a striking parallel to this phenomenon. The serpent entices Eve with the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, painting a picture of greener grass that she cannot resist. In her pursuit of what she lacks, she succumbs to temptation and sets off a chain of events that forever alters the course of humanity. This event is a poignant reminder of the dangers of fixating on what we desire but do not possess. Photo by cottonbro studio at pexels.com So why would someone with everything chase something that would make them lose everything? Why would someone gamble all their money for a slight chance of winning? Why would a husband obsess over work instead of going home? Why would a woman entertain another man if she has a husband who is loyal and supportive? Here’s where I want to make a clear distinction. It’s healthy to desire or have ambitions. A great example is the desire to get a house and have children. Ah, here’s an even better example. I call this the basic 1900’s American Dream starter package. Get married. Get a dog. Maybe two. Buy a home. Don’t forget the white picket fence. Baby time. Photo by Roman Biernacki at pexels.com I have personally checked each of those boxes. Many of you have, too. Some of you desire to do so. Some of you are so crippled by fear that you will never experience any. But I remember that feeling of checking/achieving each of those. It felt amazing. Then that feeling left. That, ladies and gentlemen, is called….Hedonic Adaptation. “The term “hedonic” relates to our feelings or sensations. Thus, hedonic adaptation refers to our natural tendency to adjust to feelings that we experience. In other words, although something may initially make us happy (or sad), we often quickly get used to those feelings and revert to our previous level of happiness.” Naturally, we love those happy feelings. The reality is that they don’t last. Okay, Brandon, so now what? You’re telling me that my 1990’s American Dream is pointless? No! I want you to recognize and learn with me. I’m right there with you. I have desires, too, but I think it’s essential to understand and acknowledge how chasing desires must be balanced. This is merely a reminder that we should savor each moment. Live in the present. Find the joy. We should be grateful for others and the experiences we are blessed to have. We invest and build supportive relationships, but more importantly, we realize that the major component of happiness is all within our control. We pray to Him. Our thoughts lead to feelings. Our feelings lead to actions. Our actions lead to results.We pray to Him. The uncomfortable truth is that the void we try to fill by fixating on what we lack is a never-ending abyss. It is a relentless yearning that can consume us if left unchecked. The pursuit of what is missing can become a vicious cycle, leading to a constant state of dissatisfaction and restlessness. It is a battle that must be fought with unwavering resolve, for succumbing to the siren call of unattainable desires can have dire consequences. Photo by Marek Piwnicki at pexels.com In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus imparts a profound wisdom that speaks directly to this struggle: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be” (Luke 12:34). This verse underscores the importance of focusing on what truly matters and not being swayed by fleeting desires. Our hearts are a reflection of where we invest our energy and attention. If we fixate on what we lack, our hearts will be consumed by an insatiable thirst that can never be quenched. In the book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon reflects on the futility of chasing after the wind: “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). This verse serves as a poignant reminder that material wealth and earthly possessions will never fill the void within us. True fulfillment comes from within, from cultivating a grateful heart and finding contentment in the present moment. So, the next time you find yourself fixating on what you are missing, take a moment to pause and reflect. Remember that the shadows you chase will only lead you further into darkness. Instead, turn your gaze towards the light of gratitude and appreciation. In letting go of what you lack, you may find that everything you need has been with you all along. Happy Reading, Brandon