​Finding the Simple Life with Meaning
 

We’ve been talking about decluttering, not to get rid of junk for the sake of junk, but to better focus on what is important.
We often substitute temporary for eternal;
Wood, hay and stubble, for gold, and precious stones;
Busy-ness for what is important;
We buy to fill our inner soul yet aren’t satisfied.
Our soul yearns for more.

Some would substitute de-cluttering and minimizing for seeking adventures and life. These actions alone will not bring what they want.
They are left empty and hollow.

Decluttering helps with cleaning, and eliminating stress and depression. 
We can control something when problems are  beyond our control. We can throw something out.
But that doesn’t give us meaning.

Those empty spaces will fill again with something else.
Something harder to get rid of. 
The man who had a demon cast out, merely cleaned his house for seven more demons to enter and stay.
His bondage was greater.

The problem is Who do we trust.
The atheist did not become an atheist overnight. He felt the pressure to trust. But instead he wanted control.
He refused to submit and instead turned to what he could do.
His heart was hardened. He did this again and again.
He know longer would believe.

Happiness is not found in a simple life, more adventure or pursuing life, any more than it ends with buying more stuff.

Substitutes for what is real does not complete the soul.
Searching for ourselves.
Fulfilling our needs.
Telling ourselves we are worth more.
Looking out for what is good for me. 
These things don’t satisfy. 
They only show a bigger hole.
Because we were made for something more.

Our incompleteness can only be made right by the One Who created us and made us for Him.
Only through submitting to Him will our soul find rest.
Only in seeking Him will meaning be found.

That is the simple, whole life.
Not easy. But simple. With meaning.

This prayer, I wrote, to help me focus on what is the simple life with meaning:

May I trust the Hand that only gives good when the pain is great.
May I rest on the Rock that does not move when I don’t understand.
May I obey because it is right when it offers no reward.
May I wait for His promise when cheap substitutes are offered.
May I listen for His Word, instead of speaking my own.
May I weep at what brings tears to Him.
May I see Him clearly, though my eyes loose their sight.
May I know the peace only His nearness brings.
May I feel the fullness of joy that comes by His presence.
May I desire nothing but Him and His pleasure.
 

I write about what matters...to you---
women, wives and moms---
about your family, faith and future.
I write about what's hard, what helps and what heals.
I show you how it's done. And not done.
I hold your hand as you find what matters to the Savior.
And let go of those things that mattered to you, but not to Him.
I write about what matters...to Him.
               Sonya Contreras

Faith
Find more articles about faith here:
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When Suffering Gets Personal
What an Amazing God We Serve
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Reminders of What's Important
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What Do Your Words Mean?
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How Do We Fight Evil?
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Giving Up or Taking Away
the Bible is simple
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Be Careful What You Wish For!
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Are Your Works Approved?
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Is Your Soul Feeling Ragged?
God Speaks to the Heart of the King
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Are You Tired of the Same Old Thing?
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Have You Seen God's Majesty?
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If You Only Had One More Day To Live
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Do You Long for the Word of God?
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Our Heritage Is Bought by Blood
Are You Disturbed?
Are You Depressed?
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Finding the Simple Life with Meaning
The Simple Life
Do You Have the Right Words?
Did Your Dream Die?
On the Other Side of the Fence
Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence
Confessions of a Desperate Mom
Saving for Tomorrow
A Wedding Remembered
Who Will Stand in the Gap?
Are You a Protector or a Ruler?
Who Are You?
Are You an Image Bearer or a Wad of Cells?
Are You a Watchman?
Where Do You Find Meaning?
The Lamb of God as Told by a Scribe
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Remember: The Symbols of Passover Explained
Tea and Rest
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When Life Is Awful
Are You Strong Enough?
Rules
Seasons
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Do You Stand Against Satan Himself?
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It's Not My Story
How Would Your Faith Compare?
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Are You a Rule Follower?
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An Intimate Moment with Mary
The Worldview that Makes the
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Thoughts to Ponder
What Does It Take To Know the
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See the Story in the Stars
Do the Scriptures Burn You?
Being in His Presence
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How Do You Respond To Stupid People?
The Earthworm Is My Hero
Heart Issues or Issues of the Heart
Things Aren't Always What They Seem
More faith articles are found here:

under the Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
Or here:

under the Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
Articles on Suffering can be found  here, 

under Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
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