I truly believe that one of the key
ingredients to being truly happy is being content with what you
have and who you are. It is also one of the most difficult things
to do. In our society today all people tend to want more all the
time. It is very difficult to reach a point where enough is enough.
I think in our materialistic world it is advertised to us that we
need more to really be happy. If we have this car we will be
fulfilled, if we have this ring we will be so happy, if we have
this house we will live happily ever after, if we have this handbag
people will look up to us. And you know what, it is all a lie. The
opposite is rather true, you will find fulfillment with what you
have if you are happy within yourself.
Now I am not saying don't ever buy
something nice for yourself (I love shopping when I have a chance),
I'm not saying stop striving to be the best you can be. If you do
your best and you make money in the process then that is great. All
I am saying is that you shouldn't find your happiness in them. Sure
it is nice to drive a new car, it does make you happy for a while,
until the next model comes out and you realize that yours isn't
that nice anymore. Then you immediately contact the car dealer for
the latest model to make you happy again. For a while, until the
process repeats itself again.
Trying to keep up with the Jones's
is tiring! There will always be someone richer than you, always
someone more beautiful, someone more successful etc. True peace
comes when we can accept the fact and be grateful for what we have.
You will find a load coming off your shoulders. You are okay just
as you are. I realized the other day how we can 'hurt' God, by
being ungrateful with the gifts He has given us. We are so quick to
tell Him that we actually wanted the gift He gave to someone else.
It is like a slap in the face. God deserves our heartfelt
gratitude, because He looks after us.
Take a piece of paper right now and
write down at least 5 things that you can be grateful for. I am
sure that once you get started, you will write down more than 5.
Now take this piece of paper and put it up somewhere even if it is
in the inside of you closet and thank God for those things every
day. Soon you will be adding things and the moment you feel the
spirit of envy creeping up on you, read those things out loud and
thank God for it. Have a Spirit of thanksgiving, the Lord will
smile at you.
Thank you God for being a God of
more than enough. We apologize that we are not grateful as we
should be. Please forgive us Lord, you have blessed us with so
much. Thank you very much!
Amen