Breaking Free From Overconsumption: Trusting God Over Vanity

Have you ever found yourself eating more than you need, shopping for things you don’t use, or chasing after the next “must-have” item, only to feel just as empty afterward? I’ll admit, I’ve been guilty of it too.

We live in a time when corporations skillfully market the idea that purchasing more things will bring us lasting joy. Their ads tell us, “Buy this and feel better,” “Get this and you’ll be complete.” We fall for the lie that owning more things or eating more of what we enjoy will satisfy us.

But let’s be honest, how many times have you bought something, only to lose interest in it a week later? How often have you eaten more than you needed, only to feel regretful afterward? Many of us, caught up in staying trendy, don’t even realize we’re trapped, buying things we don’t need, can’t afford, and sinking deeper into debt.

Whether it’s food, material things, or even entertainment, we often consume far more than we need, hoping it will fill the void inside us. We live in a culture where overindulgence is normalized. But the truth is, overconsumption doesn’t heal that emptiness. In fact, it often distracts us from the true source of joy and fulfillment: our connection to God.

The Void We Try To Fill

We attempt to fill our internal emptiness with material goods, yet these items never seem to provide the lasting joy we long for. Instead, we end up accumulating possessions we rarely use, all in the vain hope of finding fulfillment. This constant pursuit distracts us from looking deeper into what truly matters in life.

In our race to accumulate more, we risk losing sight of the things that offer true meaning and purpose. The focus on material wealth can become a barrier, distancing us from spiritual growth and our connection to God.

Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

When our hearts are set solely on temporary gains, we may miss the enduring joy and fulfillment that comes from a deeper, spiritual relationship. Overconsumption is a cycle. It promises satisfaction but delivers emptiness.

Ecclesiastes 5:10: “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”

While this verse specifically mentions wealth, the same principle applies to anything we overindulge in, food, possessions, or even entertainment.

How Overconsumption Blocks Our Connection to God

Whether it’s overeating, overspending, or overindulging in anything else, overconsumption blocks our connection to God. It keeps us focused on ourselves and our desires rather than His purpose for our lives. We end up chasing temporary fixes instead of eternal fulfillment.

John 2:15-17: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, comes not from the Father but from the world.”

When we let overindulgence consume us, we risk becoming greedy, selfish, and spiritually blind. We stop thinking about others, neglecting to share God’s blessings with those in need.

Questions and Actions

• How often do we pause to ask if the things we buy genuinely add value to our lives?

• Could the constant chase for the next new item be preventing us from experiencing true contentment?

• If we shifted our focus from overconsumption to spiritual well-being and contributing to a greater good, what positive changes could we expect to see in ourselves and society?

• Haven’t you noticed how marketing drives us to buy and hoard things we never use, only to be caught by the next sale and repeat the cycle?

• The reality is, sales are constant. A better approach is to purchase items only when necessary. If there’s no need, there’s no purchase.

• Consider regularly donating or giving away things you’ve bought but don’t use. It’s a great way to help others.

• The truth is, there are always sales. For me, being a conscious consumer means asking myself if I truly need something before I buy it. This helps me save money reduce waste, and cultivate a less greedy mindset.

• For me, reducing consumption has been an important part of my spiritual journey. It allows me to focus on what truly matters, rather than being caught up in material desires.

Overconsumption with work

Overconsumption isn’t limited to material goods or food, it can also show up in how we approach work. For the past couple of months, I’ve been juggling two jobs while trying to build this blog in my spare time. Working seven days a week was exhausting, and some days felt completely overwhelming, but I kept going because I knew others were depending on me. I reminded myself that the sacrifices I was making today were an investment in the future I hoped to create.

Recently, though, I was reading Exodus, and something stood out to me. The Lord told Moses that He built the earth in six days and rested on the seventh. Over and over, He repeats this principle:

“Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work” (Exodus 20:9-10).

That verse truly made me pause and reflect. If the Lord, who created this magnificent world, took time to rest and even instructed us to do the same, who am I to believe I can work nonstop without resting? No matter how big my dreams are, how much I want to achieve, or who is depending on me, I’ve come to realize that honoring God’s Word also means trusting Him enough to rest. Rest isn’t just about recharging, it’s an act of obedience and faith, a reminder that God is in control and will handle what I cannot.

Finding Strength in Rest and Obedience

So, I made the decision to take one day off each week. At first, I was hesitant, I couldn’t stop thinking about all the work I could be doing or the money I was missing out on. But when I finally let go and obeyed, something incredible happened. I found clarity, peace, and a renewed strength for the week ahead. My creativity soared, and I came up with so many ideas for blog posts, including this one. Even more surprising, the things I had been worrying about started to fall into place on their own. God was showing me that rest wasn’t just a gift, it was essential. It reminded me to lean on Him, not just my own efforts, to keep going.

Taking that day of rest reminded me that no matter what I’m pursuing, I need to keep God at the center of it all. It’s not about how much I can do, it’s about trusting Him to guide my steps, provide for me, and sustain me in every season.

Overconsumption in Relationships

I want to take it a step further and talk about overconsumption in relationships. Sometimes, we invest so much time and energy into people, seeking validation, comfort, or love, that we unknowingly place those relationships above God. We chase the feelings that certain relationships give us, idolizing the connection or the person, and lose sight of the One who created us for relationship with Him.

The truth is, no human love can fill the space in our hearts meant for God’s love. When we overindulge in relationships, whether romantic, friendships, or even family, we risk placing our trust and identity in people rather than the One who never fails us. While relationships are a blessing, they should never replace the role of God in our lives.

Consequences of Overconsumption

Overconsumption often makes us selfish without even realizing it. We spend so much time acquiring material things, indulging in food, or focusing on the people we enjoy that we rarely pause to think about how we can give back. Big corporations are masters at pulling us into their cycle, convincing us to chase trends and buy things we don’t need.

It’s time to take back our power and stop letting them dictate our priorities. What if we shifted our focus to selfless acts, like giving to charity, fasting to hear God’s word, or volunteering our time for a cause greater than ourselves? These actions not only benefit others but also have the power to transform our perspective on what truly matters in life.

Fasting to Combat Overconsumption

One way to combat overconsumption, whether with food or material things, is through fasting. Fasting isn’t just about skipping meals; it’s a spiritual practice that helps us refocus on God and break free from the things that control us. When we fast, we deny our physical desires and create space to hear from God. It’s a reminder that

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Through fasting, we learn to depend on Him rather than the temporary comforts of food or possessions. Fasting also brings clarity. It shifts our focus from worldly distractions to the eternal. The benefits aren’t just spiritual, fasting can help reset our minds, bodies, and priorities. It’s a powerful way to realign ourselves with God’s will.

Overconsumption and the Idols We create

When we step back and look at overconsumption in all its forms, whether it’s material things, food, relationships, or even work, it all boils down to the same issue: idolism. Anything we place above God becomes an idol in our lives. When we rely on possessions to fill our voids, on food to bring us comfort, on relationships to define our worth, or on work to secure our future, we lose sight of the One who truly fulfills all our needs.

God is the only source of lasting peace, joy, and purpose. Everything else is fleeting. The more we consume these things, the more they consume us, pulling us further away from the Word of God and the life He calls us to live. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the things we’ve put above Him and ask ourselves if we’re truly leaving space for God in our hearts and lives.

“You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).

Overconsumption is more than just a habit, it’s a spiritual distraction that can distance us from God’s presence. Let’s turn our hearts back to Him, putting Him first in all we do.

I encourage you to reflect on areas where you’ve overconsumed and consider how you’re working to make changes. Pay attention to how it affects your mindset, gratitude, and sense of peace. Feel free to email me afterward to share your experience.