Most of us like to think we’re in control of our own lives. We make our own choices, set our own priorities, and chase after the things we believe will make us happy. But what if something else is actually calling the shots?
The Bible talks a lot about misplaced loves. These are the things that quietly take hold of our hearts and shape our decisions, oftentimes more than we realize. They’re not always bad things. Most of the time they’re things like our jobs or our ambitions – things that seem innocent enough, if not honorable pursuits. But when our priorities are misaligned, they can lead us away from the life God intends for us.
So how do you know what’s really running your life? These three questions can help reveal the answer:
1. What am I most afraid of losing?
Take a moment to think about the things in your life that feel non-negotiable. What do you feel like you simply couldn’t go on without? Maybe for you it’s a relationship, a job, financial security, your reputation, or even your health.
These things aren’t bad. In fact, they’re often gifts from God. But when you hold onto them too tightly, they become idols. When your identity, peace, or sense of worth is tied to something other than God, you set yourself up for heartbreak. None of these can satisfy your deepest needs – only God can.
2. Whose approval do I see the most?
We all want to be liked, to be seen and valued by others. But when approval becomes the measure of your worth, you’ve given it too much power.
Jesus warns about this in Revelation 2:4: “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” When your need for approval outweighs your desire to follow God – to seek his approval – that's a sign of misaligned priorities. It’s not wrong to desire encouragement or affirmation, but it’s a slippery slope to prioritize the opinions and approval of other people over what God desires most for your life.
3. What occupies my thoughts?
Your thoughts reveal your highest priorities in life. Do you find yourself constantly thinking about success, finances, relationships, or what others think of you? These aren’t necessarily bad things, but if they consume your more than God does, it may be time for a reset.
Jesus is inviting you into something better. When you focus on him first, everything else falls into place. You don't need to keep chasing security, validation, or achievement. Rest in the truth that in Christ, you are already loved. You’re already chosen. You’re already enough.
How to reset your priorities
If these questions have revealed disordered loves or misaligned priorities in your life, the good news is that Jesus doesn’t just leave us stuck. He offers a way forward:
- Return to God. Confess where you’ve placed your hope in things that can’t truly satisfy.
- Replace your idols. We're wired to worship – and if you remove an idol, another will simply pop up in its place. As you turn away from the things you previously held at #1 in your life, lean into God’s presence. Study the Bible, talk to him, and allow his love to reshape your priorities. This ensures that God takes his rightful place at the top of your priorities in life.
When you put Jesus first, you’ll finally find the security and fulfillment you've been looking for. And unlike the empty idols you may have been focused on, he will never leave you empty. Jesus will always be enough.
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