Most people believe spiritual growth matters, and it certainly does. Even the growing number of people who reject organized religion and all of its baggage will tell you that they believe in the importance of spiritual growth, reflection, and formation. Seeking inner peace, love, hope, joy, contentment, and grace in this culture can be very challenging. That is simply stating the obvious. We live in chaotic times where there are many obstacles to achieving peace. Restlessness and anxiety is at an all-time high. These obstacles should be named because, in many ways, they are always present and serve as roadblocks at every turn. We all face these obstacles but certain ones may be more challenging than others.
The first obstacle is FEAR which is what leads to anxiety. Fear usually has an object. Anxiety is fear of the unknown and is even more challenging. Fear permeates our culture, and politicians use that fear to manipulate and control us. Fear keeps us in a state of uncertainty because we never know what might happen next. Fear can be crippling and even paralyzing, sucking away our quality of life and our ability to enjoy the present.
The second obstacle is ANGER, which is the direct result of fear. In a highly polarized and contentious culture where partisanship has become toxic and even deadly, anger is real. We see it all around us. Einstein famously said, “Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools.” Emerson said, “For every minute of anger, you lose 60 seconds of happiness.” But Aristotle put it best: “Anybody can become angry – that is easy. But to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way – that is not within everybody’s power and is not easy.” Acting out in anger is almost always a bad idea. Managing it takes wisdom.
The third obstacle is ENVY, much of it resulting from major socioeconomic divides within the culture. Arthur Brooks once said “We must recognize that fermenting bitterness over income differences may be powerful politics, but it injures our nation. We need aspirational leaders willing to do the hard work of uniting Americans around an optimistic vision in which anyone can earn his or her success. This will never happen when we simply vilify the rich or give up on the poor.” Envy is a dangerous road to travel because there is always somebody who has more. Envy is often the result of ingratitude and a lack of contentment.
The fourth obstacle is LUST. Lust has destroyed many marriages and families, and decisions that are made in just a few short moments can have lifelong consequences. Lust has become even more common in a culture that glorifies sex and ignores boundaries.
The fifth obstacle is RESENTMENT. Failure to forgive and let go of the past keeps many people in unnecessary bondage. Some are better than others at letting go of the past. Resentment always manifests itself physically and can lead to an early death.
The sixth obstacle is persistent NEGATIVITY. Psychologists have confirmed that our brains tend to automatically remember negative situations and criticism but it takes a more concentrated effort to focus on what is good and positive. Negativity becomes a downward cycle, and there is nothing worse than two negative people feeding off each other. It becomes contagious.
The final obstacle is growing MATERIALISM, turning to things to satisfy spiritual longings. This is age-old but it never works. Of course, we all enjoy nice things, but houses, cars, clothing, jewelry, and money do not satisfy our deepest spiritual hungers. That hunger can only be satisfied by God, relationships, love, and acceptance. Once we name these things that get in the way of spiritual growth and inner peace, we can all strive to overcome them and grow together.