Simplifying your life

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M

Mooky

Guest
#1
#1
Hi all,

When encouraging others to simplify their lives some people like to say ,"KISS" ...ie. keep it simple ,stupid.It has been argued that life takes on an extra measure of complexity when you become a believer.What are your thoughts on this and how can we work towards simplifying our lives given that the best and most effective lives often spring out of simplicity?
 
Rokurac

Rokurac

Banned
#2
Oct 15, 2017
133
13
0
#2
I say life gets more simple when you become a believer. :cool:
 
M

Mooky

Guest
#3
#3
Why do you say that?
 
Prov910

Prov910

Senior Member
#4
Jan 10, 2017
880
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0
#4
For one thing, if you avoid sinful things you won't have to lie about your behavior. It's a lot simpler to always tell the truth than it is to keep track of a bunch of lies. So there's that. :)
 
M

Mooky

Guest
#5
#5
R.C. Sproul says that his life became more complex when he came to faith.I think he has a point.
 
tourist

tourist

Senior Member
#6
Mar 13, 2014
41,313
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Tennessee
#6
A more simple way of life is more fulfilling than a hectic, chaotic way of life that leads to frustration and despair. From my own experience I found that it's best to travel light and not sweat the small stuff.
 
E

Ellsworth1943

Guest
#7
#7
I have lived a lot of years, lived in a lot of places, worked with a lot of different people. One thing I have noticed is that one or two things are the most important in their life and everything is aimed at accomplishing or enjoying those things.
If we place God and our fellowship with him at the center of our life and place every effort into pleasing Him, and look at everything else as unnecessary, life becomes very simple.
I know we must work, provide for our families, and pay taxes, but that is just secondary to our goal and need not complicate our life.
Where we get side tracked is when we decide we need a bigger house, a newer car, a promotion at work, a vacation to Europe, a new smart phone, ETC, and neglect our fellowship with God to get those things. That is when things seems to get complicated.
 
trofimus

trofimus

Senior Member
#8
Aug 17, 2015
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#8
You can have simple and easy life as a Christian or as whatever else.

Depends on what you need in life, if you are single or married, with children or without, how deeply you are involved in various affairs of life etc.
 
BenFTW

BenFTW

Senior Member
#9
Oct 7, 2012
4,834
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#9
Its complicated. :cool: I would say contentment would be a secret to simplicity. I don't mean contentment that limits either, because I also believe that if you have the propensity to be greater, to have more (to bless more), to not do so is to some degree theft. What I mean, when speaking of contentment, is to not live your life based upon the green pastures of others. Envy and jealousy only breed bitterness.

Rather, be content where you are, but continue to grow. Contentment that plateaus progress becomes stagnant. In other words, don't keep up with the Joneses instead be individualistic. Know who you are, the desires of your heart, and walk in the will of God because when you walk in your purpose you're most fulfilled.

So, how do we keep things simple? Contentment that is not a limitation. A proper perspective on the things of life, and the things to come. This doesn't mean that you can't enjoy the finer things of life, it simply means that you understand their insignificance in the big scheme of things. You don't let things have you, you have them. Love people and use money, and never the other way around. Concepts like these allow us to simplify life in terms of loving others, and loving God. A matter of priorities.

Simplifying your life doesn't necessitate downsizing, its coming to a full understanding with wisdom the proper placement of God, people, and things in your life. Looking at the intent of your surroundings such as a nice house, a nice car, and a beautiful family. Why do you want these things? Are they filling a void that really should be addressed in another way? Are they simply things you enjoy, irrespective of other's opinions? Look at your heart, be honest.

You can have these things, but seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Simplicity under these terms then is to have contentment with a proper perspective, acknowledging priorities [or keeping them in mind]. To enjoy life, but more importantly to share it. To love.
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#10
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#10
Since this is the way my wife and I have both lived all our lives, we don't find it difficult, at all.
 
Joidevivre

Joidevivre

Senior Member
#11
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
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#11
I've also found the simplicity that is in Christ. We add so many words of theology,scripture upon scripture, etc., but really it is all about trusting in His mercy, and accepting what the Lord brings to your life to deal with (thereby growing).

Age plays a factor. The older you get, the less you think you need. You wonder why you spent so much on so many non-essentials.

I find I even don't say as much. Fewer words. People will either understand or not without my elaborating on and on.
 
trofimus

trofimus

Senior Member
#12
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
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#12
Life of a Christian should be simple and without complications, but his head and heart should be in deep things.
 
Joidevivre

Joidevivre

Senior Member
#13
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
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#13
Trofimus - what do you call the deep things? Could you be specific?
 
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mcubed

Senior Member
#14
Dec 20, 2013
1,449
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#14
For me I do need to keep it simple because I analyze the everything to the point I latterly wake up from thinking about something. This is my curse but also my blessing. Being Saved saves me from my own mind. Y-shua is simple, I cast my cares on in, He cares for me. That is not just words to but the real deal. In my mind’s eye I latterly give Him my problem, tell Him it’s His problem; this is my care you deal with it. And I go to sleep. I latterly wake up in the morning and say” Good morning Daddy, thank you for waking me up”, roll out to the floor on my knees and pray for my day with Him. He keeps my day, life simple; I, my flesh, is what makes it complicated.
 
M

mar09

Senior Member
#15
Sep 17, 2014
4,927
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#15
tourist said:
A more simple way of life is more fulfilling than a hectic, chaotic way of life that leads to frustration and despair. From my own experience I found that it's best to travel light and not sweat the small stuff.
Click to expand...
I think that's the way we've strived to live all along. Although we do have little stuff that weigh us down sometimes, we still believe in travelling light. Our house is "simple" (with a little bit of clutter=). Our clothes are, even our meals usually. When we moved house, we left most of our furniture (not being attached to them, that is), and made or got new or second hand items again in a new place, only bringing some old books and our clothes.
 
M

mar09

Senior Member
#16
Sep 17, 2014
4,927
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#16
Joidevivre said:
I've also found the simplicity that is in Christ. We add so many words of theology,scripture upon scripture, etc., but really it is all about trusting in His mercy, and accepting what the Lord brings to your life to deal with (thereby growing).

Age plays a factor. The older you get, the less you think you need. You wonder why you spent so much on so many non-essentials.

I find I even don't say as much. Fewer words. People will either understand or not without my elaborating on and on.
Click to expand...
You said it. He gives both the rain and sun in our lives, so we rely on His mercy. Sometimes i just want to sing all day.. even in the rain=), but of course i must work too!
 
M

mar09

Senior Member
#17
Sep 17, 2014
4,927
1,259
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#17
BenFTW said:
Its complicated. :cool: I would say contentment would be a secret to simplicity. I don't mean contentment that limits either, because I also believe that if you have the propensity to be greater, to have more (to bless more), to not do so is to some degree theft. What I mean, when speaking of contentment, is to not live your life based upon the green pastures of others. Envy and jealousy only breed bitterness.

Rather, be content where you are, but continue to grow. Contentment that plateaus progress becomes stagnant. In other words, don't keep up with the Joneses instead be individualistic. Know who you are, the desires of your heart, and walk in the will of God because when you walk in your purpose you're most fulfilled.

So, how do we keep things simple? Contentment that is not a limitation. A proper perspective on the things of life, and the things to come. This doesn't mean that you can't enjoy the finer things of life, it simply means that you understand their insignificance in the big scheme of things. You don't let things have you, you have them. Love people and use money, and never the other way around. Concepts like these allow us to simplify life in terms of loving others, and loving God. A matter of priorities.

Simplifying your life doesn't necessitate downsizing, its coming to a full understanding with wisdom the proper placement of God, people, and things in your life. Looking at the intent of your surroundings such as a nice house, a nice car, and a beautiful family. Why do you want these things? Are they filling a void that really should be addressed in another way? Are they simply things you enjoy, irrespective of other's opinions? Look at your heart, be honest.

You can have these things, but seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Simplicity under these terms then is to have contentment with a proper perspective, acknowledging priorities [or keeping them in mind]. To enjoy life, but more importantly to share it. To love.
Click to expand...
That. His Kingdom and righteousness, then we do not need much of other things. If the Lord gives, we give Him glory. If He denies or takes away, we do the same, and love and serve still.
 
trofimus

trofimus

Senior Member
#18
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
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#18
Joidevivre said:
Trofimus - what do you call the deep things? Could you be specific?
Click to expand...
Sorry, I did not see your question.

Any Christian should walk "spiritually", to see things other do not see, to think about life, beginnings, future, God, theology. And these thoughts are deep, it cannot be in any other way, because God is the greatest thing one can think of.
Any Christian should be wise. And wisdom is also a deep understanding, complex of experience, knowledge and practice.

---

But regarding life, a Christian should be as simplistic as possible, because the worries of this world fight against our goal and purpose. Christ and apostles said that many times like "Be like birds, do not worry, do not get involved into the worlds affairs" etc.

----

Like Christ said it in a summary:
"Therefore be as wise as snakes and as simple as doves." Mt 10:16

Most translations put "innocent" there, but you can check in Greek it originally means "simple, unmixed".
 
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Joidevivre

Joidevivre

Senior Member
#19
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
271
83
#19
"Any Christian should walk "spiritually", to see things other do not see, to think about life, beginnings, future, God, theology. And these thoughts are deep, it cannot be in any other way, because God is the greatest thing one can think of.
Any Christian should be wise. And wisdom is also a deep understanding, complex of experience, knowledge and practice."

What you call deep, I have found that these things are discerned the longer you walk with Jesus, study the scriptures and pray. He seems to uncover - I just don't have to work at it. All of a sudden, I "see", "understand", but it is all slowly unveiled in moments here and there. I find the Holy Spirit pouring more and more into me as I am able to understand - still I'm not working at it. Experiences, suffering and trials are the best learning grounds.

We all should follow the admonition to ask for wisdom and it will be ours - and ask without doubting. (James). We even have the "mind of Christ" in us if we belong to Him. Wisdom is also gained by not trying so hard. He gives the wisdom that He wants each person to have in their place in life. We just could not hold all the knowledge there is. Wisdom is first of all knowing Jesus Christ.

Thank you for answering my questions.
 
Joidevivre

Joidevivre

Senior Member
#20
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
271
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#20
Also, I want to add that as you age, you realize that you made things so much more complicated than it needed to be when you were young.
 
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