“It is better to have only a little, with peace of mind, than be busy all the time with both hands, trying to catch the wind.” Ecclesiastes 4:6 (GNT)
When I'm ready to slow down my life, start with a self-assessment: What drives me to always push for more? Why do I need to have more money in my bank account or more achievements in my career? Why do I need to pack more activities in my schedule?
To help me answer those questions in today’s culture, consider if I’ve believed these three major lies that contribute to a fast-paced life.
The first lie is that having more will make me happier.
Life is not about values or possessions. Jesus said, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36 NIV). There are lots of people who have plenty of things, but they’re still unhappy and unsatisfied with their lives.
The second lie is that doing more will make me more worthy.
If I get my work and my worth confused, I'm going to be stressed out and running on empty my entire life.
The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:6, “It is better to have only a little, with peace of mind, than be busy all the time with both hands, trying to catch the wind” (GNT). In other words, doing more won’t give me peace. It’s wiser to buy a smaller home or live on less of my income so I can have more time, more energy, more joy, and more peace of mind.
The third lie is that life is a competition with others.
I am not in competition with anybody. Why? Because I am unique, and God didn’t make me to be in competition with anyone. He wants me to be me. When I accept that and stop trying to be like others, it takes a lot of stress out of life.
Proverbs 14:30 says in the Living Bible paraphrase, “A relaxed attitude lengthens a man’s life; jealousy rots it away.”
These three lies keep me from being content in life, which keeps me driving and striving—but never thriving.
To slow down my life, don’t just try to do less. Start with the heart. Slowing down comes not by clearing my calendar but by becoming content with what I have and who I am.
In summary:
It's important for me to choose peace over constant busyness and challenges the cultural pressures that push me to chase more—more money, achievements, and activities. It begins with a call for self-reflection: Why am I always pushing for more? It identifies three core lies that drive this restlessness. First, the belief that having more will make me happier—when in truth, many people with much still feel unfulfilled. Second, the idea that doing more will increase my worth—leading to burnout and emptiness. And third, the false notion that life is a competition—causing me to compare and strive unnecessarily, instead of embracing my unique identity.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 emphasizes that peace of mind is better than the exhausting pursuit of success and possessions. True contentment doesn’t come from achieving more but from shifting my heart—choosing simplicity, slowing my pace, and being grateful for what I already have. Rather than just reducing my workload, I'm encouraged to address the root of my restlessness: discontentment. By rejecting these lies and embracing a mindset of peace and purpose, I can live a more joyful and sustainable life.
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