2-29pm
One of the things that I believe robs us of daily joy is comparison. I’ve often said ‘comparison is toxic’. It’s easy to compare – from very young, we compare toys with friends, we compare looks with magazine pictures, we compare gifts and skills and exam results. We weigh ourselves up against anyone in our life and anything in our life. We look at each others complexions, at the shape of our faces, the length of our hair, the number on the scale. We look at each others possessions and houses and we evaluate ourselves in relation to what others have, as to whether we are better than them. If we have more or look better or are considered to have increased skill, we may consider ourselves a little superior. If we fall short of the standard we ourselves have set against someone else, we may feel ENVY! All of us have at some stage felt a little jealous. That’s where understanding and choice comes in.
Everyday on the Rise and Shine show I play a 2 minute message from Nick Vuijcic, who was born with no arms and no legs. 
As he travels through his life, he has LEARNT the art of being content regardless of his circumstances. He has no legs, but at the end of one of his stumps he has a little flipper-like foot that enables him to be more independent. One of the things that he once mentioned was when his ‘flipper’ got injured. It was at that time that he realised he was constantly looking at all the things he didn’t have and not the things he did. When his flipper was better, he determined to focus on his ability and not his disability. Everything changed. When Nick speaks, I listen. He is a man who lives through great challenges with great courage. When he says the answer to happiness lies in correcting your attitude, I listen. He has every reason to envy every person who walks the earth, because he can’t. Instead, he looks at what he has and is using every skill to reach people for Jesus Christ. With arms and legs, he would never have got to where he has got and had entrance into palaces and prisons, presidents and paupers. God is using him mightily.
This morning on Focus on the Family, I heard ex South African prisoner Brad Sadler say when he was in prison, he was served a bowl of porridge. He started to tuck in, when he noticed WORMS! He cringed and prayed, asking God what he must do. He felt in his spirit the Lord’s answer, flick the worms out. So that’s what he did. He flicked the worms away and focussed on the good before him.
I believe the secret to contentment is to focus on what we have and not on what we don’t have. Don’t long for a better car, house or bank balance. It’s fine to work towards those things, but don’t envy those who have them. Look at what you do have and thank God that He has given you all you need for this life.
The Bible has loads of things to say on this topic…
Luke 12:15 “And He (Jesus) said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
Hebrews 13:5- Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you..,”
Philippians 4:11-12- “Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”
Good reminders. Today, after the show, I went to see Granny and then headed to the N1, via this intersection….no Table Mountain behind the Cape Town Presby Church…
I met up with Riana for a visit to Pastor John (and Avril)….
Pastor John is doing better and should be home before the weekend. Continue to pray for him. There is a long road ahead.
Off to sort out dinner.
God bless you loads!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂