Are You A Spoiled Little Rich Girl?

Think about the last time you didn’t get your way. How did you respond?

Here’s an honest example from my life.

When I launched my book, there was a part of me that wanted paramount success: the New York Times Best-Seller list and an interview on Good Morning America. I wanted the Golden Goose and I felt the tension growing inside of me when it didn’t happen immediately.

And the feeling of course isn’t limited to that example alone.

Sometimes, it’s as trivial as traffic or my children’s refusal to listen when I ask them to clean up. In the past, it’s been more painful, like infertility struggles or financial problems.

In all of those cases, I can feel myself wanting to scream, I want it now!

Image still from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory by Paramount Pictures 1971

Image still from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory by Paramount Pictures 1971

Spoiled Little Rich Girls

My boys have recently discovered one of the movies from my own childhood: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. As we were watching the other day, I was reminded of a character I had almost forgotten.

Do you remember Veruca Salt, the spoiled little rich girl from the movie?

She’s the one who annoyingly sang, I Want it Now–a demanding diatribe insisting on a Golden Goose from Wonka. These lyrics sum up her mindset of entitlement and impatience:

“I want the works, I want the whole works
Presents and prizes and sweets and surprises of all shapes and sizes
And now! Don’t care how, I want it now
Don’t care how, I want it now”

I suppose that most of us, at least on the outside, don’t act like Veruca Salt. Surely we don’t throw temper tantrums and burst into song when we don’t get our way. However, a quick assessment of our own internal motives and thoughts leads us to a different conclusion.

Maybe there is a spoiled little rich girl inside all of us.

Little by Little

What Veruca Salt didn’t understand and what we all have to learn is that we live in a world where we don’t get our way, often.

When those expectations aren’t met, God appears to be absent and we feel like we’re alone. That place can be hell and that is exactly where the Enemy wants us to exist. In that place, we’re ineffective, ungrateful, and defeated.

I believe Satan wants us to stay in that place, screaming like Veruca Salt or, better yet, losing hope altogether.

But I think God has bigger plans.

In the book of Exodus, God has promised His people the Golden Goose–a land flowing with milk and honey–the Promised Land. However, there’s an interesting passage where God tells His people something important:

“But I will not drive your enemies out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out before you…” vs. 29-30

Oh how those words frustrate me in real life, but I believe them to be absolutely true, a reminder that the road to our proverbial Promised Land is traversed one step at a time and His promises unfold little by little.

I am beginning to believe that the inconveniences and frustrations of life are simply God’s way of reminding me of how ungrateful I remain.

I believe it’s time to kill the spoiled little rich girl inside all of us.

It’s time to regain hope and trust in the little by little.

In fact, I’m learning that trusting in God–little by little–may just be the Promised Land after all.

MH

QUESTION: In what situations can you begin trusting God, little by little?


	

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14 Responses to Are You A Spoiled Little Rich Girl?

  1. kelli thomas August 16, 2014 at 7:32 am #

    There is a bounty here I will feast on today. Thank you for this food for thought.

    • Matt Ham August 17, 2014 at 6:44 am #

      Kelli –
      Dinner’s served!! I appreciate you being here and taking a minute to share your thoughts.

  2. Steven Tessler August 16, 2014 at 5:19 pm #

    Wanting my podcast, finding my “WHY” gets to me. I want those things NOW!!! My WHY I just can’t find it… It’s frustrating and I pray daily for it. Any thoughts??

    Thank you for what you do!

    • Matt Ham August 17, 2014 at 6:47 am #

      Steven –
      That’s very Simon Sinek of you! It’s great to find your “WHY” and very important, but it may be simpler than you thought. Bill Hybels said, “Where does your deepest gladness meet someone’s need?” I’ve also heard it said to figure out where your strengths and passions collide. Our friend, The Robert D., would encourage a list of those two and see how they intersect.

    • David Mike August 17, 2014 at 9:25 am #

      Steven, you listen to a lot of podcasts and read many books. You’re a Christian, veteran, husband, father, baker, mail handler, inspiring motivator. It would be difficult to hone in on what your message should be. You should focus on what fires you up and what you love most. (What Matt said.) I believe in you!

      • Steven Tessler August 18, 2014 at 6:20 am #

        It’s funny you say that because I spoke with my brother tonight and we always crack each other up over what I’m writing, “The Story of my Life.’ and he’s claims that it’s not at all what I’m remembering.
        Sooooo I told him that He an I should do a podcast on me reading a part of my story and then he’d chime in on how he claims he remembered it.
        We were laughing and it was awesome!!

  3. David Mike August 16, 2014 at 5:24 pm #

    I run out of time every day, I also try to do everything on my own. Both are very frustrating.

    • Matt Ham August 17, 2014 at 6:50 am #

      David-
      It is incredibly time consuming, isn’t it? Michael Hyatt had a great idea to compartmentalize each day (i.e. Monday’s blog, Tuesday’s podcast, Wedensday blog, etc.)

      At some point, it’s also key to get help, but you have to be resourceful as well. Keep pressing brother, little by little.

      • David Mike August 17, 2014 at 9:19 am #

        I have a system sort of like that. My problem is self inflicted with multiple jobs and exhaustion. Thank you for the inspiration!

  4. John Patrick Weiss August 16, 2014 at 5:46 pm #

    I think we all have our spoiled little rich girls moments. I like the “little by little” reference. We’ve all heard the saying “good things come to those who wait.” However, sometimes my impatience moves me forward. I’m not content to just sit back. I think the trick is in knowing when to push forward and when to take a breath and “have a little faith.” Thanks, Matt.

    • Matt Ham August 17, 2014 at 6:56 am #

      John-
      We DO need to wait sometimes, but I’m a huge fan of active waiting. There’s always something you can do – reading, writing, praying, etc. The journey of faith is one with eyes wide open as we move toward our heart’s passion and God’s calling.

      Moses had to get out of Egypt, Joshua stepped into the Jordan, Jesus had to go into the tomb…

  5. Chris Peek August 23, 2014 at 11:01 pm #

    At times, I find myself frustrated in the area of writing. I know God has called me to write, but the growth process has been slow. My blog hasn’t grown as much as I would have liked, and I have yet to write for a professional publication.

    Congrats on the podcast. It’s awesome to see what you’re doing here. I haven’t had a chance to listen yet, but I want to check it out soon.

    • Matt Ham August 24, 2014 at 5:52 am #

      Chris –
      Kindred paths my friend. My wife and I were just talking last night about the struggle for validation based on numbers. It’s an incredibly difficult tension, but it takes radical faith. We’re honestly on the same path right now. As I prepare for my book release (Late Sept) there’s so much that tells me, “You’re wasting your time.” Conventional wisdom says you need 1M Twitter followers or 100,000 blog subscribers. Remember, the Gospel message began with one man and twelve followers.

      • Chris Peek August 24, 2014 at 12:36 pm #

        It is tempting to find validation in numbers. However, I have heard it said that we will never have enough if our focus is on numbers. I recognize that the relationships I have developed because of my blog are far more important than anything else.

        Zechariah 4:10 speaks to this issue: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”