When Obsession Takes Possession
Maybe it’s because it’s Fall, but I feel like I hear some form of the word ‘obsession’ daily. Be it in person, via text message, or on social media, the gals tend to be beyond passionate about this time of year.
“I’m obsessed with Fall!”
“I’m so obsessed with Pumpkin Spice Lattes! PSL is life.”
“I’m obsessed with the leaves changing colors! We’ve gotta go take photos!”
“I’m obsessed with sweater weather. It’s just so cozy!”
It got me thinking, people are easily infatuated. Whether it’s hitting the books like an addict so you can walk summa cum laude, working out to have the “perfect” bod, crafting a wardrobe worthy of a Pinterest post, landing the dream job with a big enough salary to travel wherever you want, nailing a bold cat-eye and “effortless” curls, craving more and more “likes” on Instagram or Facebook, or weekly posting about how your boyfriend is the only #MCM you need, we all are fixated on something.
Maybe I’m being too specific to my college age group, but I think it applies to everyone. We’re preoccupied by money, success, looks, popularity, our loved ones, our jobs, our goals, our dreams, and everything else in-between.
But do these so-called passions become overwhelming? Do we grip onto these things and lose ourselves along the way? Do we exhaust ourselves in the pursuit of them? When you catch your mind wandering, are you daydreaming about a better you, a you that is glorified and defined by possessions, looks, or other people?
Don’t misunderstand me. These things can be blessings and do contribute to our identity, but, as with all things, we must adjust our perspective.
I personally adore Fall, sweater weather, a warm pumpkin-y latte, a well-coordinated outfit, lifting weights (well, some days), booking as many flights as possible, posting to my Instagram account, earning high grades, and I do daydream about what my future life might look like - one with my own classroom, trips to every continent, a cute house decorated to Lauren Conrad’s standards, and someone special by my side through it all.
But, if I’m being truthful, I allow these passions to often become obsessions. I elevate the object, the activity, or the person - usually myself. I hustle hard for selfish reasons to achieve goals for prideful purposes. I slack off and don’t thank the source of these magnificent blessings.
My passions become obsessions, become idols.
We all do it. We all feel the pressure to do it. The silent cloud that hovers over us telling us that we must be better, that we must be more unique, defined, and quirky. We tell ourselves that these things identify us. Social media adds to the unattainable illusion of who we must be. We compare ourselves to empowering women around us, and, instead of admiring their gifts and talents, we envy them.
It doesn’t stop there.
We lose the weight. We buy the dream house. We graduate and land the dream job in the bustling city. We marry the man of our dreams.
We did it! We made our goals and dreams into realities. We won our validation.
But, the validation fades…
Maybe the weight stays off, but we miss the attention we once received for having lost it. Maybe the dream house starts to feel cold and empty, even though it’s tastefully decorated and welcoming to an outsider. Maybe the dream job becomes a burden instead of a pleasure, as deadlines pile up and stress consumes us. Maybe the man of our dreams winds up having his own flaws, and the fights that used to never happen start to happen nightly until we stop talking altogether.
Then what?
Friends, don’t fall into this trap. And when you do, cause you will (I do daily), look to God for strength to pull yourself out of it!
Why do we choose to enthrall ourselves with temporary happiness when our Father opens his arms to us with the offer of eternal bliss?
We must stop obsessing with this world.
Instead of wearing our worldly goggles, let’s put on spiritual spectacles. Let’s obsess with God. Let’s be passionate about daily Bible studies. Let’s be consumed with prayer and meditation. Let’s love and support the Christian warriors in our lives. Let’s cling to our Savior.
Because, when we’re obsessed with God, our worldly passions transform into blessings instead of curses. Our attitude shifts. Our happiness heightens. Our purpose becomes significantly more sincere. Our Lord is glorified.
If you mull it over, do you really want to spend this life obsessed with being liked on the internet, with worshipping the steps of a sinner, with chasing after empty fulfillment?
Or, do you want to be lifted up, comforted, and assured by basking in the Father’s undeserved and unceasing love?
When we absorb ourselves with our King’s presence, we can’t deny the obvious choice.
Let’s cling to that.
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
“Let your crown shine today.”
Revelation 3:11
