How Poverty Leads You to Delight
“Find your delight in the Lord who will give you your heart’s desire” (Psalm 37:4).
In the last few years—like you, I’m sure—I’ve been carrying some heavy crosses. But there’s one that’s been heavier than the others. It may only be a fraction of the shoulder wound Jesus endured, but it’s there. My prayer for this cross has brought me to ponder spiritual poverty when it comes to what I desire.
A desire is a longing for something that will bring satisfaction. We weren’t made for worldly satisfaction; we were made for Heaven. What we long for often needs to be purified so we can become the holy woman God created us to be.
God tugs at our heart with dreams, and He invites us to pursue them for His glory—not as a self-made woman striving in our own strength but as a daughter who trusts in the Father’s provision and as a beloved spouse of the Bridegroom. Spiritual poverty is recognizing and taking delight in the fact that everything we have—every success, every opportunity—is a gift from Him and for Him.
Delight in Him, Not You
Through the purification of my desires, I’ve discovered true delight: living in the freedom of God’s will for my life. Here are three ways I found freedom. You may find more or different ones, but for me these are the ones that opened up a new way of living not by my disordered desires, but by trusting in God’s will.
Detachment
Your desire often points you toward your mission. The enemy knows this and will use it to tempt you off course. To fight him, love God more than what you desire. Don’t allow your desire to become an idol, because it will put you in tempting situations. Something great is often just on the other side of something good. Having peace of mind in the Lord will help you to hold your desire lightly and give you the grace to surrender the “how,” the “when,” and the result.
Surrender
Your plans are not God’s ways. When I was a teenager, I dreamed of being an actress and holding an Oscar someday. But God had other plans for me. Today, I use those gifts in ways I never imagined: a theatre ministry centered on the Rosary and a coaching practice inspiring and nurturing others to a deeper relationship with Christ.
I received what I desired. My dream came true, just not in the way I thought it would. Through purification of my desire, I knew I didn’t need the Oscar to make an impact, and I realized who my true audience is. The beauty of God’s plan is that He uses our gifts to make us His instrument in the way that’s best for our soul.
The Lord often makes us wait for what we desire because in the waiting, we are purified in our emotions, our attachments, and why we want what we want. Let God set the pace, even when the world keeps telling you to hustle or you’ll miss out.
If you’re obedient and walking the path toward your dreams with the Lord, let Him lead you. If you’re doing all that you know to do in faith, you can surrender the results. I know it may sound scary, but where God is leading you is more important than your material gain.
If you need help with surrender, try the Surrender Novena. It’s powerful!
A Focus on God’s Glory
Your dream might be a business, a ministry, or a creative pursuit, but your desire for this success should be because you know what you’re working for: God’s glory. Anchor your desire for success in your knowledge that you’re His instrument. This focus will help give you peace of mind, direct your steps, and give you the courage to pivot or begin in a new way rather than feel like you failed if you have a setback.
Poverty of Spirit = Freedom
When you practice poverty of spirit, you defer all to Him, and you’re open to God’s will in your life. You can live free of the burden that everything relies solely on you. You know anything you accomplish is through Him, with Him, and in Him—and that knowledge is freedom! Delight in the freedom to make bold choices, because you know God will direct your steps. Delight in the freedom to dream big, because you know God is bigger. Delight in the freedom to lead, because you’re following the One True King.
What’s stirring in your heart right now? What desires do you need to purify so you’re free to delight in the Lord?
Elizabeth Montigny owns a faith-based life coaching practice to help women take action on their God-given dreams with clarity, creativity, and calm. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and their three boys and is blessed to be a member of the Love Crucified community, whose mission is to bring to the Lord victim souls for these decisive times. You can work with Liz privately, in her online community, or join her on a retreat.