B. Keith Chapman, President & CEO
A man was once asked, “What did you gain by regularly praying to God?” He replied, “Nothing…but let me tell you what I lost: anger, ego, greed, depression, insecurity, and fear of death.”
This illustration, by an anonymous author, shares a powerful lesson. We often approach God hoping to gain a blessing, direction, peace, provision, or an answered prayer. There is certainly nothing wrong with bringing our needs before Him. In fact, Scripture repeatedly invites us to do just that. Yet one of God’s greatest works in our lives is not simply what He gives us, but what He lovingly removes from us. Having a relationship with God is not merely about adding blessings to our lives. It is about becoming more like Christ. Personal growth often happens through subtracting something. God can help us strip away the attitudes, desires, and fears that keep us from experiencing the fullness of His presence.
James 4:7-10 says, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” Notice that James doesn’t begin by telling believers to achieve more or accomplish more. Instead, he calls them to humble themselves. Pride, selfish ambition, and misplaced priorities create distance between us and God. But when we surrender ourselves to Him, He begins removing what doesn’t belong.
Prayer becomes one of God’s primary tools for this transformation. As we consistently spend time in His presence, He exposes our anger and replaces it with patience. He confronts our ego with humility. He loosens the grip of greed by teaching contentment. He replaces our insecurity with the confidence that comes from knowing we are deeply loved. Even our fear of death loses its power because we rest in the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
These changes rarely happen overnight. They are the result of a faithful walk with God. Like a goldsmith who patiently heats precious metal until the impurities rise to the surface, God allows His Word and His Spirit to expose what needs to be removed so that His character shines through us. Each time the impurities are removed, the reflection becomes clearer. In the same way, God isn’t asking us to remain who we were yesterday. His desire is that each day we increasingly reflect the character of Christ. Perhaps the greatest evidence of spiritual maturity is not how much we have accumulated but what no longer controls us. We may not always see dramatic answers to prayer, but over time we discover that our bitterness is fading, anxiety is loosening its grip, pride is giving way to humility, and fear is being replaced with trust. The closer we draw to God, the less room there is for the things that once controlled our hearts. His presence changes us from the inside out. The greatest gain in following Christ may indeed be the things we choose to leave behind.
Challenge: Take a few moments today to ask God not only for what you need but also for what He wants to remove from your life. Pray through James 4:7–10 and invite Him to reveal any pride, anger, greed, fear, insecurity, or sinful attitude that creates distance between you and Him. Remember, you are under no obligation to be the same person you were yesterday.