Be Happy with What You Have
Adapted from Managing Your Emotions
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
When you read today’s scripture, you may think, “My neighbor doesn’t have an ox or a donkey!” But the point of this verse, which is one of the Ten Commandments, is not as much about oxen or donkeys as it is about being happy with what we have instead of jealous of what others have.
Jealousy is a dangerous emotion. It makes us miserable on the inside and can do great damage to our relationships with the people around us. It can also have a negative impact on our health as well as on our relationship with God.
When we are jealous of others because of what they own—their houses, cars, jewelry, clothes, or other possessions—it is usually because we are unhappy with what we have (or don’t have). For example, someone who speaks badly of a person’s nice new car—commenting that it’s too expensive or that the owner must be frivolous or foolish—may really be saying, “I’m not happy with my car. I want your car.” The same can happen with houses, clothes, and talents other people have as well as other areas of life.
Have you ever heard about a blessing someone else received and thought, When is that going to happen to me? Instead of being unhappy or jealous when God blesses someone with something you would like to have, you can train your mind and emotions to be happy for them. You can let their blessing be an encouragement to you, believing that what God did for someone else, He can also do for you.
Prayer of the Day: Next time I am tempted to be jealous, Lord, remind me to be encouraged by the ways You bless other people, knowing that You will also bless me in the way that is best for me, according to Your perfect timing.
