I want What She Has !!!

What Everybody has is obviously not what God intends for us; otherwise we would have the same things.

We may realize this reality;
but we are pressured by children,
spouses, parents, and coworkers to have
and to give "things" that mean absolutely nothing to the Kingdom of God.

Although we try to protect our children and raise them the right way, they still will ask for the latest toy or the new trend in clothes. When we ask them why they want these things, we usually get the same response -- because someone else has them..

Envy begins early, even as toddlers,
when one child wants what another child is holding.
This is when we need to begin to teach our children
about sharing and about being happy with what we have in our own hands.

Two Children Compare Their Eggs on the Grass

Our spouses, although they usually know better,
aren't immune to an occasional twinge of envy either.

Perhaps we have not gone out to dinner lately, haven't had a vacation in a couple of years, still have furniture from when we were first married -- all the things that we have been brainwashed into thinking make a marriage successful..
Then our neighbors gladly keep us up-to-date on their trips, new cars, and gadgets.
We should be happy for them, remembering to be thankful for what God has provided our household.

We should be content with our life because we have the Holy Spirit with us each day, guiding us according to God's plan.

Envious attitudes are contagious.

All too easily we absorb these feelings from those around us, and all too easily we pass them along to others. To deal with envy, we have to always remember that we have the greatest possessions of all:

salvation, God, and eternal life
nothing else is necessary, and nothing else can compare

Envy invites unrest;

There's no way for us to have any peace and rest if we are concerned about the worldly goods of someone else.

We must be at peace with what we have, knowing God will always provide for our needs -- even if He doesn't always give us our "wants."

Most honorable Father God, I pray today that you'll remind me to be thankful for all that you have provided for me. I know that you have a plan for me unlike any others. I pray for Your help in keeping me focused on our relationship and not on things that have no place in your Kingdom. 'Amen.

Mimi

No Compromises
(Rhonda Owen Smith)
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