Complacency is Dangerous

How often in life do we find ourselves slipping into a state of complacency in any one area of our life: our job, our faith, our friendships, and our marriage. With everything we have going on in our life and with all the stress we have coming at us, we often find ourselves going into ‘auto pilot’ in any one or most of these areas of our life out of routine or out of necessity. We trust that our boss, our friends, our spouse and even God will understand the lackluster effort I am able to give right now because I have been so faithful for so long. Or so we think.

Then we start to realize how other people seem to be taking us for granted and not putting a lot in their relationship with us: no praise at work, no calls from our buddies asking how we are doing, no flowers from or no date nights with our spouse. In time, we feel like life is ‘stuck in a rut’ and our frustration with this often leads to discontent and agitated interactions with each other. Where this is most dangerous is when complacency happens in our marriage and our faith. If our marriage and prayer-life is suffering, it will affect every other area of life. Why, because these two are (or should be) the most intimate of relationships.

In this new year, I challenge all who are reading this to consider striving harder to be more intentional and aware in understanding and refreshing those areas of our marriage and faith life that have become routine or commonplace. Seek to find new ways to intentionally think about our spouse and plan dates and fun things to do together. Put more effort into special day like their birthday or your anniversary. Consider getting off of your phone more or off social media more and just spending time walking and talking together or playing games.

With your relationship with God, seek more times of silence where you can just pray and have a conversation with Him. Make more time for going to church, reading Scripture, or doing works of mercy and love for your ‘neighbors’ in the world around you.  

ACTION STEP: This week (and this year), spend time recognizing the areas of complacency in your life, and set a plan in motion to change that behavior!