Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” ~Epicurus
What a delusion it is when we continue to look at other people’s lives and wish you had what they had! It is so easy with human nature to peek over into the lives of other people that we admire or perceive are living the life we wish we were living. Whether it is a better marriage, children, the house you live in or your status in life.
In 2 Corinthians 10:12 it says, “But, they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise".
This is such a powerful scripture! When we begin to focus on the areas of our life we are unhappy with, we have a tendency to zone in on people who have what you truly desire. The Bible says this is unwise. As you keep looking at someone else, everything in your life will become distorted and you find yourself very unhappy with your life and you cannot see the wonderful blessings you do have, because you are blindsided by what you wish you had! It is important to have desires in your life, but keep your eyes focused on Jesus the "author and finisher of your faith"
Philippians 4:11 says, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content”
To be content means to be satisfied. Have you ever heard the saying "I may not be where I want to be, but thank God I'm not where I was" I encourage you today to take off your distorted glasses, stop looking at others lives and begin to look in your own life and see the wonderful blessings that are there. Here is a simple assignment that will really help you!
Number 1: Get a notebook and every day sit down for a few minutes and look into your life and write down the things are Thankful for, the things you can appreciate! It can be from the smallest things to the biggest. As you begin to focus on the good, you will see just how blessed you really are!
Psalms 100:4 it says “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”
Number 2: Begin to thank God every day! As you have a thankful heart, you will be covered by the anointing and love of God! It will remove the sorrow of your heart and you will begin to see how wonderful God is and how wonderful your life really is!
Number 3: Let others around you know what you are thankful for. Share with your family how blessed you are, how thankful you are! This will be contagious to everyone around you and will create a positive, happy atmosphere in your home!
“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” ~ Frederick Keonig