Life is so much easier when we remember that the most important gain is always spiritual.

How often have you agonized, feared, fretted, and even got sick over worrying about finances, human relationships, position, status, politics or the economy because you thought these were the most important issues in your life?

Have you ever spent a night ruminating over unkind comments made by another, held a grudge for an extended period of time, plotted revenge, harbored resentment, boiled in anger, tried to re-organize someone else’s life, felt poor, lonely or left out, was jealous about another’s promotion, feared for your country’s, church’s or family’s future because you felt that is what you had an obligation to do?

How many minutes and hours are spent each day obsessing about worldly concerns? Hopefully none, but if some, then it’s a ripe opportunity to revise your priorities and set more enlightened goals that produce peace and harmony rather than fear and anxiety.

We live in a spiritual universe that is governed and supported by an intelligent, all-wise divine Mind. When we listen to this Mind, we receive wise instruction, guidance and love that supplies solutions to problems we face, and resolves difficulties that seem humanly impossible to deal with. The one outcome that matters most is not how much money we make, whether we’re married or not, whether we get our way, what politician holds office, or whether another person changes, but how spiritually we live. Spiritual growth is the one activity that matters most in the long run.

People often get anxious about worldly concerns because they think it really matters most. For instance, believing that it’s really important that they persuade a co-worker or spouse to think their way, or it’s crucial that they earn more money, or that they get married, or find a new job immediately, or…and the list is endless. These things are important in many cases, but not THE most important thing. The most important thing is what we gain spiritually from the experience. For what we gain spiritually puts us in a better place ever after.

Like I’ve learned in marriage, if my wife and I disagree on a direction or plan for our family, I’ve learned that it’s not most important to convince her of my way, or even to just give in to her way. The most important outcome is a growing love and appreciation for each other’s point of view and an increased willingness to listen and love each other more. The human course of direction is trivial compared to the love felt and expressed along the way. What we gain together spiritually is most important. What we, or I, lose materially is insignificant.

In everyday life, the most important issues are not about the money, the economy, the boss, the curfew, the chores, the grades, the paycheck, the expenses, or who did what when. It’s about the love. It’s about getting to know God better and expressing more love in every thought, word and action. What we gain spiritually stays with us and blesses us forever. When we remember this truth life goes so much easier, and conflict resolves so much quicker.

Seek love first. It’s what matters most.