As an attitude adjustment, the only quick solution to your looking at what others have...and yes, should we say it, feel envy?...is to get a piece of paper from your printer or legal pad or whatever is nice and long. Find one of those pens that you like which you know will write....or for you computer junkies open up a document file and title it, "The Blessing List".
Remember in elementary school when the teacher would do a quick group activity which involved writing, for example, the alphabet down the red line of your notebook paper. The timer is set for five minutes and you aer challenged to write the name of an animal for each letter AND if you finish before the five minutes to begin a second column, then the teacher said, "no talking, GO!"
I challenge you to take five minutes of your time, "Go"! List all your blessings.
This list serves two purposes. One, because we get comfortable and complacent with all the things we have so it is good to remind ourselves of each blessing. Two, we take the focus off of our "gimmie" nature wanting what others have and focusing on what God has given to us.
The final step is to read through the entire list and absorb the endlessness of the gifts we have been given. It is in that moment of grateful understanding we clearly understand and say, "God Is GOOD!"
Once we have that adjustment of attitude we can find ourselves in a place of wanting to give and do for others. Who needs a friend to encourage them today? Who is grieving? Who is concerned over a medical procedure? Who faces and battles a disease? Who needs a card, a call, a moment of our time? Who is lonely and would love a magazine and homemade baked cookies?
Yes, God is amazing and He is right here with us. But we, in turn, are not sponges to simply absorb all the blessings we have been given. If someone has ever asked you, "How was your day?" and your answer was, "So-so" or "alright", maybe it lacked sparkle and amazement because you did nothing for others. Our faith is meant not to exist in our hearts and to be spoken of proudly to others, it is meant to be active and giving and seeking more we can do to serve God in gratitude for all He has given us.
Would you like a "better" life? Take your eyes off others' possessions, make a list of all God has blessed you with and begin to focus your eyes on ways we can bless others with kindness and love.
Want a rich life? There's the secret and it all begins with "The Blessing List".
What I tell you is not news to the world, my thoughts are inspired by this old hymn.
Count Your Blessings
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
Refrain
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
Refrain
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Refrain
Dear Heavenly Father,
Keep our hearts and minds in a gentle place of reverence and gratitude aware of all our many blessings from You. Use our hearts and minds to find ways to bring blessing and joy to others. Faith was never meant to be a silent relationship of talking with You for it is so much more. Faith is to be lived and shared. Keep us ever mindful of our blessings and keep our eyes on You and not what others have in their lives. Help us to rejoice and say out loud, "I am so blessed!"
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
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