How Life Changes When God Becomes A Priority
- May 22, 2025
In Part 2, we saw how idols exhaust us, keeping us stuck in a cycle of never feeling satisfied. But when we shift our focus—when we let go and put God first—everything changes. We stop striving, stop chasing, and start experiencing peace, purpose, and freedom in Christ.
How Life Changes When We Let Go of Idols
We live in a world that constantly tells us to chase more. More success. More status. More approval. And when we build our lives around those things, we start believing that if we just achieve enough, then we’ll feel fulfilled.
But what happens when the promotions, the praise, the material things still don’t satisfy? What happens when the burnout hits, and we realize we’ve spent so much time chasing things that can’t hold us up?
That’s when real transformation happens—when God becomes the priority instead.
What Changes When We Shift Our Focus to God?
Letting go of idols isn’t just about removing distractions—it’s about experiencing a whole new way of living. Here’s what happens when God takes His rightful place as the center of our lives:
1. We Trade Striving for Security
Idols make us work for validation. They tell us “You’re only valuable if you accomplish more, look better, prove yourself.”
But when God becomes our source, everything shifts.
– Instead of working for self-worth, we rest in what He already says about us.
– We stop chasing temporary approval and find security in His unchanging love.
– We stop striving and start thriving—because peace replaces pressure.
Psalm 139:14 reminds us: “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
That means we are already enough—without needing to prove a thing.
2. We Stop Building Our Lives on Shaky Foundations
Idols overpromise and underdeliver. They promise happiness if we just:
- Make more money
- Get more recognition
- Perfect ourselves
But when these things fail us (because they always do), we realize something: We were building on the wrong foundation.
When we center everything on God, we finally build on something solid.
– Success doesn’t determine our worth—God does.
– Social approval doesn’t define us—God does.
– Our circumstances might change, but God remains the same.
Matthew 7:24–25 talks about this: “The wise man built his house upon the rock… the rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew, but the house did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”
When God is our foundation, we stop crumbling when life gets tough.
3. Our Purpose Becomes Clearer
The world tells us we need to chase purpose—find it in a job, in relationships, in achievements.
But in God, purpose is already given. When we put Him first:
- We live not just to impress others, but to glorify Him.
- We stop asking “What should I do to matter?” and start asking “How can I serve with what God has already given me?”
- We realize our lives aren’t random—we were made intentionally, for a purpose far greater than worldly success.
Ephesians 2:10 says: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Your purpose was never meant to be something you had to chase—it was something you were created for.
4. Peace Becomes a Reality, Not Just an Idea
Have you ever noticed that no matter how much we achieve, we still crave peace?
That’s because peace isn’t found in accomplishments—it’s found in God.
– When idols run our lives, stress takes over.
– When God leads, we experience peace—even when life is chaotic.
John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.”
That kind of peace isn’t dependent on circumstances. It’s constant—because it comes from Him.
5. We Become Free to Live Fully
Idols make us fearful. They tell us:
- “What if I don’t succeed?”
- “What if people don’t approve of me?”
- “What if I never feel enough?”
But when God takes first place, fear disappears.
- We no longer live for the world’s standards—we live freely in His grace.
- We stop fearing failure—because our worth isn’t tied to success.
- We stop constantly chasing—because we finally feel fulfilled.
Galatians 5:1 says: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”
That means we weren’t made to live exhausted lives—we were made to live fully.
How to Keep God First (Even When Life Tries to Distract You)
So how do we maintain this shift once we start it?
1. Daily Heart Check – Ask, “Is anything competing for my focus on God today?”
2. Stay in Scripture – Fill your mind with truth, not just what the world tells you. Even if it doesn’t make sense. I promise He’ll explain it later.
3. Surround Yourself with Encouragement – Community matters—find people who help keep your heart centered.
4. Remove Distractions – If something is pulling you away from God, consider stepping back from it.
5. Spend Time in Prayer – Let God be the foundation before anything else takes priority.
Final Thoughts
Letting go of idols doesn’t mean we stop caring about life, relationships, or success—it means we stop letting them define us.
- Instead of seeking approval, we rest in God’s love.
- Instead of chasing peace, we receive it freely in Christ.
- Instead of building shaky foundations, we stand strong in Him.
So here’s the challenge:
- What’s been competing for first place in your life?
- How would your life change if God became the priority instead?
Remember it’s more like a marathon. No good relationship is built overnight. Be patient and never loose the desire to be closer to Christ. Sometimes that’s the only thing pushing us forward. God’s love is never ending!
