“I’ll be happy when I have this happen in my life”. It’s a mindset that many people can have in life, where they wish things were different yet never acknowledge, thank and honour what they already have.
Focusing on what we don’t have is a sure-fire guarantee that we will go through life in a state of frustration and dissatisfaction. Even when our dreams are fulfilled, many people still won’t feel happy because they just move on to the next thing they want and forget to be thankful for anything.
An antidote to living in this state of dissatisfaction is to learn to be grateful for what we have. Instead of looking at our partner and wishing they were different, we can honour and appreciate them for who they already are. We look for the positives and the attributes we do like rather than all the things we don’t.
Rather than complaining about our job, workplace, family, church or wherever we spend our time, we can honour and respect what we have in these things and remember to be grateful. This then causes us to become more patient, loving, considerate, contented, and have far more fun in life.
Instead of complaining for example, about not being able to go on holiday, why not think of ways to have fun at home and look for the good in what you have right in front of you. Some people even go to the airport in their hometown and act as tourists visiting their city for the first time. They have a great “holiday” exploring and seeing their home with fresh eyes.
When we choose to honour and appreciate what we have, God also knows that He can trust us with more. He can trust us that we won’t just brush aside His hand of blessing on our lives and we'll appreciate the people He brings into our world, the children and friends He blesses us with, and the work, skills and talents He bestows upon us.
“Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. If then, you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will entrust you with true riches?” (Luke 16:10-12)
Today think about what you do have rather than what you don’t because as you do, you’ll soon realise your life is far better than you perhaps realised; you’ll make the most of what you have, and God in His time can trust and bless you with more.
“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body
you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful” (Colossians 3:15)
“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.” (1 Timothy 6:6)
Prayer: Lord, please help me have eyes to see and a heart to acknowledge all that I have in my life. I would always have a heart to look at what I have so I don’t miss your hand upon my life. I honour and give you thanks for everything and everyone in my life today and, most of all, that I can know you. In Jesus name Amen