“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” Matthew 6:25 (NIV)
Many people have been deceived into thinking that their happiness is in the future. This puts them on an endless pursuit for happiness in things that can never satisfy. At the end of life they realise that there was never an end to their pursuit (Ecclesiastes 1:2).
Our anchor scripture clearly tells us that there is more to life than our wants. God wants us to enjoy the life He has given us. The chief end of man is to glorify God, this is only truly possible when we are most satisfied in Him (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) .
A major reason why people seem to live through life bitterly is rooted in ungratefulness. This trait was quite evident in the Israelites as they were always complaining and never content (Psalm 78:18-32). They quickly forgot the goodness of God towards them and they kept complaining about their situation.
As believers, our disposition ought to be different, we should be consistently grateful to God, taking stock of the multiple things He does for us on a daily basis. Make it a habit to thank God for His benefits (Psalm 103:1-4).
The constant desire to acquire things has made many people unduly competitive and jealous. These character traits have robbed many of the happiness they desire. The resultant lack of trust in God also leads people to comparison, which makes them think that until they have what another person has they won’t be satisfied. Paul admonishes Timothy to teach his disciples (and all believers) to find contentment in God, trusting Him for all things.
“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.” (1 Timothy 6:17 NLT)
In order to live life the way God wants you to, you have to fully rely on God. You would need to get rid of fear, jealousy, unhealthy competition and ungratefulness. Being content will make you enjoy all that God has blessed you with because you would see God as your chief joy and trust that He is working all things out for your good (Romans 8:28).
Dear believer, delight yourself in the Lord today and every day of your life and always remind yourself of the many blessings He has blessed you with.
Bible Reading Plan: Micah 4-7