Secret of Happiness #2

“…be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

. Compare down, not up.

It is natural to compare ourselves with those better off than we are.

–If I have a bicycle, I compare myself to the person who has a car.

–If I have a Chevy, I look at the man who has a Mercedes.

–If I have middle range job, I look to the person who is an executive.

However, if we do the opposite, comparing ourselves with those worse off, then we get a much better perspective.  For instance, when it’s 95 degrees out and we are tempted to complain, think of people in Pakistan where it is 120 degrees with no air conditioning and the electricity often goes off at night, so no fans!

Instead lf complaining about what you can’t get,

–look at those living in Afghanistan or Sudan or Syria who have lost everything.

–Look at the person with no feet, or no sight, or no hearing.

—Look at the person who is dying of cancer and appreciate you health.

Comparing down brings perspective and can stimulate us to be thankful for what we have.

“… I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”  Phillipians 4:12

Picture: content with little: