Chasing the idea of ‘more’ can easily cause you to become an unsatisfied and discontented individual. What you currently possess is a blessing, not a curse. The word S-T-R-E-S-S-E-D is just D-E-S-S-E-R-T-S spelled backward. When you change your perspective, you change the meaning. Stop complaining about what you do not have and start thanking God for what you do have. Praise God for His provision instead of grumbling about your lack. When you change your attitude to one of gratitude, you will always see the blessings around you.

Joy cannot manifest in a heart full of greed or from a disgruntled spirit. Greed can only breed more greed, but joy thrives in a heart of thankfulness. It is God’s desire for us to be enthusiastic about life. The word enthusiasm actually comes from the Greek words en, meaning “Inside” or “Within,” and Theos, meaning, “God.” The only way to truly have enthusiastic joy is to have God inside of you. An angry Christian should be an oxymoron; it doesn’t make sense. Joy is supernatural, and it goes beyond what we have or do not have. Happiness is based on what is around us, but joy is based on what is within us. As followers of Christ, our joy comes from the Holy Spirit inside of us. And joy will always express itself with gratitude. William Arthur Ward said, “God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say ‘thank you?’”

Psalm 100:4

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.

What we focus on is where our heart will be. And when we are focused on what we do not have, our heart is in the wrong place—always chasing more. In order for our hearts to be free from the never-ending desire of covetousness, we have to put our treasures in heavenly things and not earthly things. This means our hearts need to move from what we get to what we can give. The true measure of success is not in what we have gained, but it is in what we have given. 

*Taken from my book FAITHOLOGY: 12 Ideas To Rock Your Faith