As I sat down to write this article, a funny thought crossed my mind. Maybe I should have called it: “In This Life, Just Be a Good Person.” 😄😄😄
But let’s stick with Sleeping With a Clear Conscience.
Sometimes I wonder whether previous generations experienced life the way we do today. This modern world is moving at a frightening speed. Everything feels urgent. Everything feels competitive. Everything feels like a race.
When I was in high school, we had a slang: “If you slack, you lack.” At the time, it sounded funny. Now it sounds like a prophecy. 😄
A WORLD MOVING TOO FAST
The pace of life today is unbelievable. And it’s not happening in just one area. It’s happening everywhere. In our careers. In business. In education. In family life. Even in our worship.
For example, how many of us still carry hard-copy Bibles to church? Some people don’t even use the Bible apps on their phones anymore because the scriptures are projected on the screen. And honestly, we appreciate the convenience. The church is pampering us small. 😄 But it is also a sign of how fast everything has become.
Then there’s social media. Ah.
Social media has changed everything. I don’t think there has ever been a generation that has produced so many young millionaires. Every day, you hear stories of people building businesses, creating content, launching brands, and generating wealth in ways previous generations could only dream about.
And honestly? I feel blessed to be alive in this era. Technology, social media, and artificial intelligence have opened doors for people who are willing to learn and work hard. It is amazing to watch.
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY
But there is another side to this story. As opportunities have increased, so has desperation. And sometimes, wickedness.
Many people are no longer interested in how success is achieved. They only care that it is achieved. It doesn’t matter who gets hurt. It doesn’t matter who gets stepped on. It doesn’t matter who gets left behind. As long as they get ahead.
The command to “love your neighbour as yourself” seems to have evolved into: “love your neighbour... if there’s something in it for you.” 😄
WHY HAS THIS HAPPENED?
Part of it is economic pressure. Let’s be honest. Life is expensive. People have school fees to pay. Rent to settle. Families to feed. Bills to clear. The pressure is real.
Another reason is comparison. And social media has made comparison easier than ever before.
You open your phone. Someone just bought a house. Another person just bought a car. Someone is celebrating a promotion. Someone is vacationing in a country you struggle to pronounce. 😄
Before you know it, you start feeling behind. You start questioning your progress. You start feeling inadequate.
And unfortunately, some people respond to this pressure in very unhealthy ways. They spread rumors. They damage reputations. They manipulate. They betray. They step on whoever they need to step on. Friend. Relative. Business partner. Church member. Even pastor. 😄
If there is something to gain, some people will carry you like Judas carried Jesus.
And let’s not ignore greed. Because what greed has caused some people eeh... they won’t see the consequences now. The effects will report for duty later. 😄 Greed is one appetite that never gets satisfied. The more it gets, the more it wants.
THE GREATEST BLESSING
Over the years, I have come to a conclusion. Apart from salvation itself, one of the greatest blessings a person can experience is sleeping with a clear conscience.
Imagine going to bed without bitterness. Without envy. Without guilt. Without manipulation. Without wicked intentions toward anyone. Without feeling the need to constantly defend yourself because you know you’ve acted honorably.
That kind of peace is priceless.
The Bible says in Psalm 24:3-4:
“Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart...”
Clean hands. A pure heart. What a beautiful goal.
DON’T LET WICKEDNESS MAKE YOU WICKED
Now don’t misunderstand me. I know the world can be cruel. I know people can be wicked. I know some people have hurt you deeply. Maybe they betrayed you. Maybe they lied about you. Maybe they disappointed you. Maybe they broke your trust.
But please don’t let the wickedness of others turn you into the very thing that hurt you. Don’t allow bitterness to take permanent residence in your heart. It is too expensive.
Learn to forgive. Learn to release people. Not because they deserve it. But because your peace deserves it.
If your actions have caused someone pain, apologize. If someone has hurt you, work toward letting it go. Not for them. For you.
REMEMBER THE GOAL
The goal is not to be the richest person in the room. The goal is not to win every argument. The goal is not to prove everyone wrong.
The goal is: to sleep with a clear conscience. Today. Tomorrow. And every day after that.
And before I go, some of you may be asking: “Okay Amma, but how exactly do we achieve that?” 😄
Relax. I see you. Maybe that should be another article. After all, you know I’m an OGYACIOUS sister. 🤣🤣🤣 Let’s save that one for another day.
IN THE END
At the end of your life, there will always be people who have more money than you. More achievements than you. More possessions than you.
But very few things can compare to the peace that comes from knowing you’ve treated people well, lived honorably, and kept your heart clean.
So in this life... be successful. Be ambitious. Work hard. Dream big.
But above all else, sleep with a clear conscience. 🤍
**Is there anything weighing on your conscience right now that you know you need to make right? Tell me in the comments ; sometimes naming it is the first step. 👇**