Thursday, November 8

Keep It in Perspective

The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.
Psalm 16:6

Recommended Reading 1 Timothy 6:6-9

A lot of things in life seem to hinge on perspective. Take envy for example. One can quite easily become discontent with his lot in life by looking to the neighbor who has everything that he doesn't. But it only takes a brief glance in the direction of the homeless family on the street corner to realize the observer is but a king in his own right.

In 2 Corinthians, Paul says that "We do not look around at what we see right now . . .But we look forward to the joys in heaven" (4:18, TLB). In other words, instead of comparing ourselves to everyone else and looking around at the temporary possessions we do not have, we should keep our eyes fixed on the future joys that will last forever and be happy with what God has given us. Discontent is a joy stealer; and if left unchecked, it can create a life full of seeking after momentary pleasures which are completely void of anything real and lasting.

A wise person once said, "I had no shoes and complained until I met a man who had no feet." The right perspective makes all the difference.

Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor.
Benjamin Franklin

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Romans 8:1 - 10:21