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What lesson can we learn from Lamar Odom's situation?

First, let me start this post by saying that I want nothing but God's peace and comfort for the family, friends and fans of Lamar Odom. This post is in no way an attack or me using someone else's troubles for "gain", but I do know the Holy Spirit's voice when it speaks to me, and in this situation, I was ministered to. I am simply sharing that.



As customary, my night usually ends with my husband and I crawling into bed and him turning on the sports highlights for a final recap of the sports day, and most mornings usually start with him turning the TV on to catch Sports Center for the same information. Although I am never paying much attention, certain things that are said catch my attention. On last night, Lamar Odom being found unconscious was what grabbed my attention.

Once I got settled in at work this morning, I decided to Google Lamar Odom, something I had never been interested in doing before. In my reading, I discovered that although he is only 35 years old, he has suffered quite a bit of loss and heartache in his life. His mother died from colon cancer when he was only 12 years old, which led him to live with his grandmother, his father was a heroin addict (he is now classified as a recovering addict), and in 2006 he lost his six month old son to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. He lost a cousin that he was extremely close to some years ago, he was a passenger in a vehicle that was involved in an accident that killed someone, and I also read that he has recently lost two close friends. Keep in mind that these are just the things that I have read, there is probably more.

Now, what's my point?

I can scroll my Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at any given time, and expect to see at least one picture or status about money. Whether it's someone posting on Facebook about their desire to have lots of money and never having to much money, or a picture on Instagram of a stack of money with the caption "goals".

If there is one thing that should be learned from this Lamar Odom situation, it should be that money is a material object. It is printed daily, and if there is a fire, it will burn like any other piece of paper. Lamar Odom has been a player in the NBA for numerous years, his most noted and successful years with one of the most popular teams in the association, the Los Angeles Lakers. He then married into a family that is loaded with fame, popularity, and of course, money. As a player for the NBA, Lamar has teammates and friends, who are loaded with money. To sum up what I am saying, the man has money, and access to money. MONEY IS NOT EVERYTHING!!

This post is simply a spirit and reality check. We live in a world that is obsessed, consumed and controlled by something as simple as a green piece of paper. People kill for it, lust for it, die for it, break the law for it, and sell their souls for it. There are people who have none, and people who have more than enough to last a lifetime. Lamar Odom is in a hospital fighting for his life, and not one of his dollars, houses, cars, friends, or family members can change that. What Lamar Odom has needed for years is peace and security.

Peace is defined as freedom disturbance. It does not mean that disturbances will not occur, but having peace determines how you are affected by disturbances. As Christians, we have access to the peace that surpasses all understanding, and we realize that no matter what goes on in our lives, rich or poor, loss or gain, happy or sad, we have peace in our Savior. What people need to grasp is that no amount of money can purchase peace.

Lamar Odom's money can't bring his mother back to life, it could not stop his father from abusing drugs, it could not stop him from losing his child, he could not stop his wife from filing for divorce, and it cannot get him out of the hospital bed he is currently confined to and back to full health.

It is my prayer that not only God's will be done, but that if nothing else, humans realize that money is not the key to a happy life, only God is. You can have all of the money in the world, and still be tormented by demons and still be affected by the natural occurrences of life, such as loss, sickness, pain, disappointments, and heartache.

John 16:33 states it clear, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (NIV)

Money may make life easier, but it does not stop life from happening.


A few scriptures about peace...
  • And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 NIV
  • Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV
  • You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV


As with all of my posts, I pray this is a blessing. I learned a lot and have been truly convicted while working on this.




Loving you God's way!

Vanessa Durant
@LadyJDurant



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