King Solomon, who is described in the Bible as the wisest and richest of men, wrote of his efforts to taste of everything life has to offer. He sampled wisdom, mirth and pleasure, wine and folly; he built houses, vineyards, orchards, gardens.
He had servants and maidens, silver and gold. The Book of Ecclesiastes contains twelve chapters describing his quest. He concluded: “Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun” (Eccl. 2:11).
Sooner or later, all our efforts to find peace from this world turn to ashes. When we slow down or are trapped by circumstances and people, the tension, restlessness, anxiety, and frustration return. The activities available to us can help relieve the effects of unpleasant feelings and negative emotions, but can’t remove them.
There is a deeper kind of peace than the kind that simply relives body and mind. It comes when you yield yourself to God and let His peace invade your soul. Take time to focus on God and ask Him to show you where you are overindulgent in your life. Repent of this sin and allow God to lead you into moderation as well as a place of peace and contentment.
[Dr. Henry Brandt shares insights from various people he counseled. The names and certain details in these true case histories have been changed to protect each person’s identity and privacy.]