“But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, my steps had almost slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (Ps 73:2-3)
Perhaps nothing is more capable of crushing our faith than the prosperity of the wicked. Like air-brushed photography, the people in positions of power and influence of society are often painted as happy, blessed, care-free, and full of vitality. When a Christian looks over the fence and sees that those living without God in their lives seem to be so blissfully happy, the temptation to believe we have chosen the wrong path becomes strong.
We must do as the psalmist does “I came into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end” (Ps 73:17).
The political elite seem at peace until the scandal hits and we realize the hidden skeletons that have been tormenting them. Unbeknownst to us, they’ve been masking a double life all along.
The celebrities are so chic and care-free until we begin to count up the divorces, the suicides, the lawsuits, the bankruptcies, and the addictions. When we see those statistics, we are confronted with the fact that Hollywood is star-struck and quite consistently grief-stricken.
It turns out that the daily struggles to be a better you are a thousand times better than the regret of a life lived in the fast lane of pride and self-indulgence. Don’t be fooled and don’t second-guess your faith. You don’t want an air-brushed life – you want an authentic one.
“Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.” (Pr. 23:17)
Matt. 4:4 #Biblebites