What’s the matter, Mom?” asked the 3-year-old boy earnestly. Kimberly Fast had just received some disappointing news. She was discouraged, and her son sensed it. After a moment of hesitation, her little boy said, “That’s okay, Mom. You’ve still got me!”

Later she commented, “His confident assurance brought tears as I thought about how fortunate I am. I have a healthy, loving family, caring and supportive friends, a Christ-centered church, food, clothing, and a warm house. I am not just fortunate. Compared with many, I am prosperous!”

Why do we keep thinking about what we don’t have rather than what we have? What causes us to let a canceled trip or a lost sale affect us so deeply? When a woman and her husband missed the chance to buy a certain house, I heard her complain, “It ruined my whole life!” Is anything on this earth really that important? When we’re tempted to feel that way, we need to remember today’s text.

Instead of letting life sour over missed acquisitions and lost opportunities, let’s examine our hearts and ask the Lord to teach us thankfulness. Then we can truly rejoice in all that He has provided and be content.

  — David C. Egner