Looking around and taking a good hard look at what is considered success, we see a lot of people with a lot of things that don’t feel very successful. So many people, feeling on the down side of life, are looking for answers to balance the scales and make them feel as good as others. We think the answer is in materialism as portrayed in the media. Great wealth is not the answer. More is not always better! Or is it?

The race is on! We pile up luxuries to give the appearance of successful. What’s that old adage, "Fake till you make it"? Looking at beautiful bodies with lots of artificial effects to alter the basics, we feed on the ice cream and cake, fat salt and sweets of life until we our hearts have become sickened with the whole routine. We roll out the red carpet for ourselves.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed but people don’t seem to be getting happier or more satisfied with more. It seems we pile on the attractive exterior effects on top of insecurity and inferiority. Perhaps we feel that these effects are a magic carpet? Living life on ice cream and cake makes for a rotten core; bad teeth, heart disease, kidney failure (ask me, I’m there), and early demise. Our hearts, our minds are just the same. We want everything to be the best and lots of if. Nobody can have more than me – after all, I am the "Joneses."

The least popular and most distasteful things are often the best for us. Jesus is no longer popular of course. He’s outdated for much of the population but He still has the healthiest words though often distasteful and misunderstood. He said these words:

"Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."(Luke 12:15), NKJV

So what does success consist of? Remember, beauty is only skin deep. My own personal testimony is that I am more and more pleased with myself knowing that I am developing the inward character to stand strong in tough times. I am learning to fight for life and work for what I achieve and believe that I "can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I know Jesus and I like what he is making of me. I was raised spoiled and grew up pretty much self indulgent. I am learning to be a fighter. No, not fighting others and being a victim but fighting me and my own self indulgence. That self indulgence only makes me dislike myself more and more. As of today, I love myself more and more so that "things" mean less and less. My wealth and gold mine are inside of me where nobody can steal them.

So, take a good honest look at the real you. How well do you know yourself? What are your dreams? How much do you love yourself – I mean really deep down on the inside? Truth gains the victory and hard work makes for success.

Think about it!