I believe most of us have been in a situation where we were completely fine with our lives until we noticed a blessing in our neighbor’s life: he bought a new car. Suddenly, your car isn’t that good anymore.
I can recall when my husband and I were trying to have our first baby. How hard it was for me to rejoice with friends who had just found out they were expecting. And I knew that I should be happy for them, but I couldn’t help feeling "Why not me"?
One day, praying about this, I asked the Lord to help me to truly be happy with the joy of others and be content with what I already have. And when we pray sincerely, oh, you can be sure God will respond! The Holy Spirit led me to look at the whole picture, not just a tiny part of it. Don’t focus on the new car, the new house, or the job that you envy. Those are only a fraction of the whole. The Lord guided me to be grateful for the big picture: my family, our health, and our unique journey in this world. I would never trade these for anything. And I rejoice in the Lord because He so gently brought this to my mind and for his kindness in answering the prayer of a sinner like me. And again, I would not trade these for anything.
This subject reminded me of this great video from One Time Blind:
Don't let ingratitude rob the joy of your life.
"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
Romans 12:15
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."
1 Timothy 6:6-8