Do You Worship the Golden Calf of “If Only”?

Over and over in Scripture we see where God’s people turned away from Him to worship idols because they wanted something, ‘someone’, tangible. You can read the stories and shake your head and say, “You foolish people”, yet we justify our own golden calves. When things are not as we think they should be we become anxious, discouraged and sometimes even angry, all of which steal our joy as we begin to bow down to what we want vs being content in Christ and understanding that He is sovereign.

Think on these situations and see if any of them apply:

Discontent with Spouse

Your spouse does not do things he or she should. Perhaps your husband does not lead as he should and is complacent. If only he’d ________. Perhaps your wife is contentious. If only she’d _______,

THEN, we’d have a happy marriage and I could be filled with contentment and joy!

Can’t Find a Spouse

You are waiting for God to bring that special someone, all your friends are getting married and having children. If only Mr. Right would come along. If only________,

THEN, I could be filled with contentment and joy!

Discontent with Children

Your children are rebellious. If only they would obey. If only they would be serious about their relationship with Christ. If only they would ________,

THEN, we’d have a peaceful home and I could be filled with contentment and joy!

Discontent with Health

You have health problems that hinder your life greatly. If only ________,

THEN, I could be filled with contentment and joy!

Discontent with Financial Situation

It is a constant struggle to make ends meet. If only I had more money coming in. If only I had a bigger house. If only ________,

THEN, I would have peace and I could be filled with contentment and joy!

Discontent with Church

Your church is not perfect…far from it. If only we had a better pastor. If only we had better leadership. If only the music were better. If only _______,

THEN, I could really enjoy church and be filled with contentment and joy!

We all get discouraged, life is full of struggle, but let us be careful that our JOY and our contentment hinge on nothing but who we are in Christ. If we are looking to our circumstances to bring us fulfillment and worth, then we too are bowing down to our own golden calf.

Struggle can be good, there may be things we need to repent of, perhaps get our focus back where it needs to be. Struggle can also push us to higher ground.

All these struggles we have are for our good, to sanctify us, to purge us of our selfishness and pride. They are to drive us to our utter dependency on Christ alone. And when Christ alone is all we truly desire then the peace comes, and the JOY… and only then does God receive the glory!

Are you worshiping your family? Your spouse? Your marital status? Your career? Your bank account? Your house? Your comfort? Your _______?

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

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Kathy

writer, video producer, wife and mother at Teaching Good Things

Titus 2:3 says that we are to be "...teachers of good things...". We believe that part of these good things are practical skills that we all need in every day life to care for our family and neighbors. One of our primary responsibilities as parents is equip our children with the skills and tools to one day be productive, well rounded adults. Children need to be exposed to many different areas of work. Not only should they know how to work, but they should want to work. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17